On 24th September, President Carole and members of SI Chester invited friends and members of other clubs in the Region to join us for dinner at the Mollington Banastre Hotel. The Guest Speaker was Emma Rees, Professor of Literature and Gender Equality at Chester University.  Emma gave a fascinating talk on the Suffragette Movement and told us about how the Suffragettes had been active in Chester.  We were fascinated by the story of Mary Phillips, who ‘flour-bombed’ the Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, during his visit to the City in 1912! Emma kindly agreed that, instead of a fee, we should hold a ‘bucket collection’ for Chester Women’s Aid which raised £82.12.

Club Summer Outing to Manchester On Sunday, 24th June, President Carole, along with Anne and Geraldine, visited the Pankhurst Centre in Manchester.  The Centre is situated in the house in which Emmeline and her family lived from 1898 – 1907. The inspiration for the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) was when Emmeline Pankhurst realised that a building being dedicated to her late husband, and that she and her daughters had helped to decorate, would be for men only and women would not be allowed to attend.  It was amazing to stand in the room where the WSPU first met.  As Emmeline said ‘We are here not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers’ The walls were surrounded by posters and various exhibits were on display. There was also a short film showing some of the most important aspects

A Visit from Classrooms in the Clouds:  Nepal Four teachers, sponsored by Classrooms in the Clouds: Nepal, and the Chairman, Sherpa Dawa, visited the UK in June for two weeks.  SI Chester enthusiastically support this charity and, last year, assisted them in obtaining a grant from the SI Educate to Lead International President’s Appeal. Two club members recently attended a Friends of CitC  afternoon, hosted by the Wirral based UK trustees, and then welcomed the teachers to The Bishops’ Blue Coat Church of England High School in Chester for a morning visit to observe classes and speak to staff and students.  It was the first time these teachers had been out of Nepal, never mind in the UK.  They spoke at an assembly in full traditional costume and were found endearing by the students. During their UK visit they went to primary schools, but it

On Monday, 4th June, SI Chester members and their guests enjoyed a complimentary glass of Bucks Fizz, followed by a delightful Buffet Meal at their new meetings venue, The Mollington Banastre Hotel. This was followed by an interesting presentation from our member, Jodie Gibbons, who had recently returned from the first Study Tour to visit the Meru Women’s Garden Project in Kenya. We were joined for the evening by Regional President, Hilary Laidler, South Lancashire Project Ambassador, Pat Woodward and our own Regional Ambassador, Shirley Whiteway, who organised a raffle for the project on the night.

At our AGM and Club Change of Insignia Meeting in April, Carole Rivers was installed as the new Club President for 2018 – 19. Here is an extract from Carole’s inaugural speech: When I first joined SI Chester I never thought that I would be President one day. But as time passed I realised that someone would need to step up and now it is my turn. Looking back over the past 3 years, it’s clear to see how far the Club has progressed. We’ve done some very effective fundraising for such a small Club; we’ve worked on interesting projects like Toilet Twinning and the Purple Community Fund that have been successful. We’ve been constant advocates of The Purple Teardrop Campaign and ending violence against women. We have supported and will continue to support Chester Women’s Aid. We have successfully engaged with Chester University and

Club members participated in the recent Chester Storyhouse Women’s Weekend by giving a presentation on Modern Day Slavery and Trafficking.  We were delighted to welcome an interested audience, who asked a number of pertinent questions.  We hope that they will feel better able to recognise some of the signs and we issued them all with small cards, reinforcing our message and containing the relevant Helpline Numbers.

On Saturday, 3rd March, members of SI Chester took part in a celebration of International Women’s Day, held in the Town Hall and hosted by Chester Women’s Aid. Throughout the day there were several presentations by Women’s Groups, including the Black Veil Tribal Dance Group and the Chester Rock Choir.  Emma Rees, Professor of Literature and Gender Equality at Chester University gave a talk and our own member, Jodie Gibson, gave two workshops on ‘Women in Parliament’. During the day we sold jewellery, handbags and purses to raise money for one of our projects, The Purple Community Fund.  We spoke to several women, raising awareness of our work and also collecting more signatures for the Purple Teardrop Campaign.

On Sunday, 25th February, SI Chester members celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of the Chartering of the Club by having lunch on a canal cruise in the heart of Chester. Members from several other clubs in the Region, one club from another Region and Regional President, Hilary, were welcomed by President Susan and Club members. Although cold, the day was sunny and members and visitors were able to leave the boat between courses for a few photographs on the towpath.  

At our February meeting we were delighted to welcome baby Ptolemy Pritchard, with his Mum, and Founder Club President, Victoria.  Tolly was as good as gold whilst club members listened to an interesting presentation by Alison Breardon from  the Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service (CSASS). CSASS supports survivors of abuse through counselling, as well as raising awareness and campaigning to improve the lives of people who have been abused in this way.  Later this year they are planning another of their awareness raising walks to ‘Reclaim the Night’ and it is envisaged that some of our members will join them.

At their most recent meeting members heard a fascinating presentation from Debra Webb, Trustee and passionate supporter of SHARE (Supporting Homeless and Assisting Refugees Everywhere). SHARE is a fairly new charity which has grown rapidly in Cheshire and Flintshire.  Debra explained how she had become involved after witnessing homeless women on the streets of Chester and how she helps by making sandwiches for delivery several nights each week. The SHARE shop in Chester has become more of a Hub than just a shop and homeless people can go there for a warm drink during the daytime.  Debra also explained that they have a ‘Kindness Wall’, where members of the public can leave warm clothes in the evening, often with, for example, a cereal bar or sanitary towels in the pockets. There are many ways in which we might be able to help, from sponsoring volunteers