Saturday 21st February 2015 was a red – letter day for members of SI Chester. The Club finally received its Charter at a glittering ceremony held at Rowton Hall Hotel just outside Chester. The revival of the Chester Club had begun two years previously with a small membership of a few determined and highly motivated women. The number of members grew and by September 2014 the quorum had been reached and the 17 Founder members of the club, along with their President Victoria Pritchard, awaited the Charter ceremony with anticipation and excitement.
Over 120 guests attended the event including Federation President Jenny Vince, Federation IPP Margaret Oldroyd, Federation Directors, Regional Officers, Club Presidents and members and the Sheriff of Chester Councillor Herbert Manley and his Lady. It was a particularly proud moment for the founder members and new President Victoria, wearing for the first time the beautiful silver chain and original badge that belonged to the former Chester Club, as she received the Charter from President Jenny. The new club members were then warmly received into the Federation with much clapping and cheering. After dinner and speeches a skilled magician provided an unexpected twist to the entertainment and later guests danced the night away to a disco.
The evening also provided an opportunity for the Club to launch one of its first programme action projects for the coming year – making Chester a Toilet-Twinned City – to fund the building of proper latrines and improve hygiene for thousands in developing countries. New President Victoria duly presented the Sheriff of Chester with a plaque of a toilet twinned with his own to hang in a suitable place!