Corn Hall Sale 2018 This annual fair was held in the Corn Hall on November 12th with a large number of local charities taking part. Our wide range of Christmas gifts and decorations for sale, many handmade, proved to be very popular and avery healthy £271 was raised. This figure was boosted to a magnificent £447 by wonderful raffle of a drinks and foods hamper organised by Pat. Her goal of selling 100 tickets for £1 each swelled to 176 with the winner being another charity stall holder! After a donation to Cirencester Hospital League of Friends, who organise the event, we finished with a marvellous total of £427 for our Local Charities Fund.

Skittles Evening at “The Tavern” in Kemble. Club members with their friends and families showed off their bowling skill (or lack of them) during an enjoyable evening in November with an excel- lent supper provided by the pub kitchen with Daniel in charge. Colin Brooker kept score and won the prize of a large bottle of Prosecco and an excellent range of raffle prizes were given out. This popular social event raised £251 for the Local Charities Fund  

Business Person of the Year Award Sponsor: Cirencester Soroptimists For this award the judges were looking for an individual who has made a significant impact on the business they work in, either as a leader or team member.  Someone who is inspirational, both within their business or industry and in the local business community.  In addition, they wanted to see evidence of the highest levels of business acumen, outstanding personal qualities, a wealth of achievements and respect from their peers.  The two finalists were both excellent, and it was very, very close…….. The winner provides a bespoke year-round graphic design and associated marketing support for a wide spectrum of client organisations, both global and UK based. He never takes his connections for granted and always looks ahead for new and exciting challenges, with his 20 years knowledge and experience this entry is a well-deserved Winner. The

Club members were delighted to welcome the award winners of their Annual Literacy Com- petition to the Royal Agricultural University. The children, from local primary schools, with their families were presented with their awards by the Mayor of Cirencester, Mr Nigel Robbins and Debi Evans, a local author of children’s books. Debi entertained everyone with stories and pictures of Rolo the dog, hero of her de- lightful books. In all, 26 prizes were awarded. The competition has increased in popularity each year, this year attracting over 1100 en- tries. The excellent standards of hand writing, storytelling and illustration seen in the entries made judging the awards a challenging task for local Soroptimist organisers and the adjudi- cator In Yorkshire. This project for local children supports Soroptimist aims to “educate, enable and empower” women and children. We look forward with excitement to next year’s competition.

It had been agreed, as one of the results of the Club’s research last year, that contact would be made with Gloucestershire Young Carers to discuss areas where support was needed and members could potentially help. Project lead Kathy and Club member Joanna initially visited the Young Carer’s Head office in Twigworth. Gloucestershire Young Carers (http://www.glosyoungcarers.org.uk). The staff were very enthusiastic and welcomed the Club’s offer to help in specific areas that will be of benefit in raising opportunities for young girls especially. The average age of a young Carer in Gloucestershire is 12yrs. Subsequently a number of members attended a very informative meeting with Jane from Young Carers. They were taken through a Power Point Presentation that informed them about stark details pertaining to Young Carers. It was agreed that the first area help was needed was to visit GP Surgeries in the Cotswolds

Soroptimists Railing Against Abuse 25 November 2017 SI Cirencester  joinied other clubs in South West & Channel Islands Region, in an event organised by SI Western-Super-Mare, “Railing Against Abuse’. This event is held to publicise the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which is on 25 November each year. We travelled by train to Bristol Temple Meads and met up with other SI members and marched through the city to the Lord Mayor’s Chapel. We always wear something orange for this march, since this is the UN designated colour for the day.  Along the way we distributed, ‘Loves me Loves me not’ bookmarks which highlight indicators of good and bad relationships. Here is the  programme for the event:- Arrival at Bristol Temple Meads Station and march to College Green where we were joined by Dame Joan Collins to ​walk to the

Quiz Night in Aid of WaterAid Members of Cirencester Soroptimists held a Quiz Evening for WaterAid in South Cerney recently when together with a raffle, auction and donations a total of over £1660 was raised. Photo shows the winning Quiz team ‘The Telegraph Readers’.

TWO of the Cotswolds’ most well-known churches were bathed in purple light as part of a crusade to raise awareness of the disease that killed a much loved husband and father. Sue & Sarah Dennis, of West Hay Grove, Kemble, have ensured that Cirencester Parish Church and Kemble Church were flying the flag for Pancreatic Cancer UK on Sunday, November 1 as part of the charity’s national Purple Lights for Hope campaign. Both churches will take on a striking purple complexion for the night to raise awareness of the disease which is Britain’s 10th most common cancer, but its fifth most deadly. Pancreatic cancer is not a well-known disease in Britain, but it is a particularly dangerous type of the disease because its symptoms are often confused for regular stomach pains, meaning it can be diagnosed when it is too late. Sarah lost her father (& Sue her husband),

SI Cirencester held a Vintage Tea and handbag auction in aid of local charity Signpost’s annual summer trip. This year they are organising a trip to Western-Super-Mare. We raised £1500.00.  President Pat and Anne C, our Fundraiser member would like to thank everyone who attended, helped out on the day or contributed cakes and handbags. This really is true Soroptimism working at local level. Signpost: Cirencester Signpost extends a warm welcome to all who are lonely, experiencing financial hardship, are vulnerable or marginalised; often due to unemployment, debt, bereavement, mental health problems or addictions that can limit your quality of life. On Monday evenings from 6.30pm at Ashcroft Church, They provide a two course meal with drinks. During the winter months from November through to Easter on Saturday mornings, a variety of cooked breakfasts, are on offer at St. Peters Hall. Our meals are free of