On Shrove Tuesday, Soroptimist members supported a pancake party organised by Jackie Gloyn in aid of research into pancreatic cancer. A fun morning was had by all whilst raising funds for a charity close to all our hearts at this moment in time.  Our club president, Sue Dennis, expressed her delight at the amount raised so far, over £460.

On a warm June evening President Sue organised a ‘Call My Bluff’ wine evening  when friends, family plus several Soroptimists and from S.I.Cheltenham joined us. The Bathurst Arms provided a set meal and each table competed to recognise the wines being served at intervals throughout the evening. It was a night of friendship and fun, at the end of which we were able to make a donation towards the Timmy Mason Trust and Hope for Tomorrow which is a charity that raises money to purchase Mobile Chemotherapy Units.

Cirencester Soroptimists turned out on Thursday 8th March to join in with thousands of other women across the world celebrating International Women’s Day. Inspired by Women for Women International ( www.womenforwomen.org.uk ),   Soroptimist Clubs in the U.K. marked the event with a “Join me on the Bridge” gathering. Cirencester members who could assemble during the lunchtime met on top the pedestrian bridge next to Cirencester Hospital on theTetbury Road at 1.30 p.m. together with their president, Anne Brooker. Numerous events occur worldwide each year in March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.   The idea of joining on a bridge is to symbolise the coming together of women and men around the world, united in taking a stand for peace and women’s equality.

CIRENCESTER SOROPTIMISTS CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY The Soroptimist Club of Cirencester and District celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th by running a stall in Cirencester market  to raise everyone’s awareness to issues affecting women around the globe.  Members braved the rain and cold wind to chat to shoppers and passers-by about the meaning of the day.  Despite good progress on women’s advancement in some areas, too many women still face hardship, violence and exploitation, even in our own country. In the afternoon of March 8th, the club hosted a tea party in the Bingham Gallery, Cirencester, as part of Oxfam’s “Get Together” initiative for International Women’s Day.  President Sue Dennis welcomed the representatives of other local women’s organisations and visitors who dropped in for refreshments and useful networking. The raffle and donations raised £113 for Oxfam.

(As spoken by President Sue at March’s meeting) Josephine Newbould A little while ago Jo Newbould wrote a personal letter to me advising me that she was retiring from the Club partly for reasons related to her health and because she said that she felt that she no longer played a full part.  I am afraid that I had to disabuse her on the last point from the Club’s perspective. I first met Jo soon after she and Palmer moved over from Northern Ireland. They rented a property for a short while, just round the corner from where I live.  I just happened to be Joint President at the time and was informed by SIGBI of this member who wanted to transfer into our Club. I naturally popped round, accepted a glass of wine and the rest is history, as they say. Jo first joined

AWARD-winning young writers had their creative talents recognised at a special ceremony at Cirencester’s Royal Agricultural College attended by parents and local dignitaries. Over 700 pupils from local primary schools entered the literary competition, which is now in its fourth year and is sponsored by the Cirencester & district Soroptimists. The main purpose of the competition is to encourage children to use language in original and creative ways and entrants had several different titles to choose from. In a nod to the Olympics, first, second and third winners in each age group were presented with gold, silver and bronze-coloured medals by local children’s author Lynne Armstrong-Hobbs. Soroptimist co-organiser Linda Benatar said: “We were quite overwhelmed with the response this year and the standard was very good. There are always some children who absolutely shine.” Year 5 and 6 winner was Archie Bretherton from Powell’s School

Caldicot Male Voice Choir performed their first concert of a very busy Autumn period, on the last Saturday night of September, 2012. Deep within the rural serenity of Gloucestershire and encompassed within a patchwork quilt of emerald fields, is the Roman market town of Cirencester (Corinium). The Choir had been invited to sing in the honey coloured ‘crown’ of the Cotswolds by the Soroptimist International of Cirencester and District. The concert had been organised in order to raise funding for The Cotswold Care Hospice and the Sue Ryder-Leckhampton Court Hospice. In golden, late afternoon sunshine the Choir arrived at the imposing and elegant Bingham Hall. The  audience was delighted as an evening of eclectic entertainment commenced with an overture of classical guitar work, exemplified by the nascent talent of the youthful Corinium Players Ensemble. The main course of the night was served up by Caldicot

SI Cirencester President Sue, Professor Chris and Regional President Shirley The weekend of 7-9 September saw over 80 Soroptimists from around the South West and Channel Islands Region descend on Cirencester for the Regional Conferences & AGM. There is always time for a glass of wine during the Friendship Evening. The weekend was hosted Regional President Shirley Alexander and her fellow members of Soroptimist International of Cirencester & District.  The weekend included a reception on Friday evening at the Bingham Gallery. The Region Annual General Meeting on Saturday was followed by a Conference. The Speaker for the day was Professor Chris Gaskell, the Principal of the Royal Agricultural College here in Cirencester.  Professor Gaskell’s subject was The challenge of sustainability food supply and the role of women. The meetings were held in the wonderfully historic surroundings of the College. On Saturday evening there was a conference dinner and  Federation President Maureen Maguire

Welly painting  A very pleasant Sunday afternoon in May was spent painting wellies in aid of President Sue’s charity: The Timmy Mason Trust.  The trust was set up in memory of Timmy who died from a rare form of cancer in October 2011.  Money raised by the charity goes to help other children suffering from cancer either for holidays or for travel in order to benefit from treatment. Churn Fun Day 13 May 2012 Many many thanks for all helpers at the event, plus all the donations of items and cash donations. The weather was so great and  with lots of people present we had a very successful afternoon—— Our total was £345.07.  This was a fantastic amount, and such an increase on last years, £280.