On Saturday, 15th October, Chester members met up at Cheshire Oaks with members from clubs in the Wirral to raise awareness of Anti-Slavery Day (October 18th). Some members had their mouths taped to demonstrate the plight of many trafficked women who do not have a voice. Others explained our purpose to the shoppers and collected signatures for the Purple Teardrop Campaign.
On Saturday, 17th September, SI Chester members organised an Afternoon Tea with a difference! The event was to raise funds for the Meru Women’s Garden Project and members and their guests enjoyed a fascinating talk by freelance garden expert, Jo Dyer, from Derbyshire. Jo titled her talk ‘A Calendar of Useful Plants’ and illustrated it by choosing one such plant for each month of the year. This was followed by a delicious Afternoon Tea, masterminded by one of our members. Stalls selling plants and preserves, including jams and sauces made by Meru Herbs and imported by the Scottish Fair Trade Firm, JTS, second hand gardening books and tools, along with a raffle and tombola all helped to raise the amazing sum of just over £600.00.
At their Club Meeting on the 25th July members were delighted to welcome new member, Jodie Gibson. Below, Jodie is pictured with Membership Officer, Geraldine, and President Wendy.
Once again members spent some time in the Soroptimist Information and Friendship Tent at the International Eisteddfod in July. We met with visiting Soroptimists from all over the world and enjoyed explaining to other visitors what our organisation is all about. This year we sponsored a Women’s Traditional Folk Dancing Group from Kyrgyzstan, assisting with the cost of their travel and accommodation. Wednesday was Schools Day and we kept the children entertained making masks with Peacock Feathers! For further information about the event please visit our Regional website
After visiting the Philippines Community Fund stand at the recent Glasgow Conference members of SI Chester decided to support the fund by collecting ring pulls from drinks cans. As a means of income generation women have been shown how to make beautiful bags and purses with recycled ring pulls. At our Club Meeting in April we viewed a short video about the work of the PCF. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZhktrG7qCw If you would like to collect ring pulls (from drinks cans only) please get in touch with us via our ‘Contact Us’ facility.
SI Chester has officially completed its partnership with Tearfund and Toilet Twinning. We helped dozens of families with our promotion efforts to encourage individuals and businesses in and around Chester to twin their toilets with another in a country that doesn’t necessarily have suitable and adequate sanitation. SI Chester would like to thank a number of individuals and companies who helped and supported this work. These include: Helen and Andrew Newton, Mold Soul-life Beaton’s Café, Chester Sue Brown, Teachers from Industry, Christleton Councillor Alex Black, the Sheriff of Chester Councillor Jill Houlbrook, Upton Marmalade Café, Chester The Coffee Mill, Chester Kathleen Cox, Christleton Geraldine Garrs, Garrs Cosmetic Safety, Hoole
