Chester members were out in force in the City Centre on Sunday, 18th October to mark Anti-Slavery Day. Altogether 210 valid signatures were collected for the Purple Teardrop Campaign. Members took the opportunity to talk to shoppers, many of whom were unaware of the significance of the date. We also raised awareness of Soroptimist International.
Soroptimist International of Chester, in conjunction with Chifundo UK (compassion in Malawi), are delighted to announce that our recent concert raised (£2,800) – enough for a woman in Malawi to be awarded a Soko Fund Scholarship to undergo a four year university course of education. (Our Featured Image picture shows the 2015 Soko Scholarship Awards). We were lucky to have the prestigious Chester Choir, A Handbag of Harmonies, to sing for us, as well as the talented Queen’s School Chamber Choir. The concert took place in the beautifully decorated St Columba’s Church and our special guests included the Sheriff of Chester and his Lady, as well as the President of Soroptimist International of Cheshire, North Wales & Wirral, Stella McKay Moffat. For SI Chester this was the first major fundraiser since receiving our Charter in February and we extend thanks to all those who gave
On Friday,18th September, Chester became the first ‘Toilet Twinned’ City in the UK. This was due to the number of toilets that we now have in our city which are toilet twinned and this is due mainly to the work of members of SI Chester. The award, on behalf of the City, was received by the Sheriff of Chester from Lorraine Kingsey, Chief Executive of Toilet Twinning, who presented the Sheriff with a commemorative twin in Nepal. The award was presented in the Town Hall and, after the photo shoot, members of SI Chester took Lorraine for coffee in Beatons, one of the first cafes in Chester to twin it’s ladies loo with one in Uganda. For further information about Toilet Twinning please visit their website: www.toilettwinnng.org Stop Press The Sheriff of Chester will be presenting the framed certificate to the Chair of Cheshire West
When: 7.30pm, Friday, 9th October, 2015 Where: St Columba’s Church, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1SA Soroptimist International of Chester and Chifundo UK are presenting a concert in aid of the SOKO Fund (supporting university scholarships for women in Malawi), Tickets cost £12.00 adults & £6.00 for under 18s, including refreshments. Come along and hear the fabulous Chester Choir, A Handbag of Harmonies and the Queen’s School Chamber Choir. Enjoy an evening of superb singing and support a good cause. For tickets please use the Contact Us facility on this website or book online at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/
On Saturday, 29th August, members Anne and Geraldine visited three cafes in Chester to present them with their Toilet Twinning Certificates. Next time you visit any of these establishments, do check out their loo!
On Wednesday, 22nd July, three members visited former Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Jill Houlbrook, who had agreed to support our Toilet Twinning Project. Pictured is Club Membership Officer, Geraldine Garrs, with Jill receiving the photo of ‘her’ toilet, which is in Afghanistan. Jill said she looked forward to hanging the scene of a latrine in snowy Afghanistan in her smallest room. Jill has been supportive of SI Chester since our early meeting days and on this occasion she was full of suggestions as to places in Chester that may like to twin one of their toilets. So – watch this space!
SI Chester members Deborah, Geraldine and Carole enjoyed a busy morning on Friday in the Soroptimist tent at the International Eisteddfod, talking to visitors about Club projects and making refreshments. Visitors showed a particular interest in ‘See Solar, Cook Solar’ and Human Trafficking and the ‘Purple Teardrop’ campaign and a number expressed their intention to join their local Soroptimist clubs. Several VIP’s paid a visit including Susan Elan Jones, MP for Clywd South and Aled Roberts, Assembly Member for North Wales. Terry Waite CBE, President of the Eisteddfod, stopped to chat and the well known celebrity Connie Fisher posed for a photo outside the tent. A worthwhile day! For further information about the history of our involvement at the International Eisteddfod please visit our Regional Website.
The High Sheriff of Clwyd, Janet Evans, hosted a magnificent garden party in aid of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. In the warm July sunshine, nestled in the foothills of Snowdonia, her beautiful garden was the perfect setting for afternoon tea on the lawns. Five members of SI Chester attended and were kept busy selling plants, strawberries & cream and serving teas. We enjoyed the treasure hunt around the garden and talking with fellow Soroptimists and other local guests on this very enjoyable afternoon.
On Wednesday, June 24th, Club Members and their friends spent a hugely enjoyable, if somewhat challenging evening, playing croquet. On each green there were members of Chester Croquet Club to supervise play and the evening ended with a sumptuous supper in the club house, prepared by our own member, Club Treasurer, Val Capewell. The purpose of the evening was to support one of our local charities, Chester Women’s Aid, whose Chairperson, Lee Rean, attended the evening. £200.00 was raised and it is hoped that this will become an annual event on our Calendar.
Club members Anne and Carole represented SI Chester at the recent Cheshire Show, where Soroptimists invited members of the public to visit the Stop the Traffick Gift Box. The aim of the Gift Box is to raise awareness of human trafficking. Visitors were also asked to sign the Soroptimist Purple Teardrop Campaign to ban sex for sale advertising.
