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Reclaim these Streets March

Reclaim these Streets March

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“What do we want? SAFER STREETS, When do we want them? NOW” The second Reclaim these Streets March took place in Ashford to raise awareness for Safer Streets  on Sunday 5th March, which was attended by members of SI Folkestone who live in the Ashford area.  The march was led by the Mayor of Ashford  Councillor Jenny Webb, commencing at Victoria Park , through the town centre ending at The Coachworks.   Susannah and Jacalyn walked to make a stand for women’s safety in Ashford and in solidarity with women across the world.  Despite the cold weather the march was attended by local councillors as well as people from the local community. Once at The Coachworks and revitalised by warming drinks, there were a number of speakers to recognise International Women’s Day including the Mayoral address, a music video from RoseGold who had sadly lost her

Thank You and New Beginnings

Thank You and New Beginnings

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We all had a bit of a shock at Folkestone when at least 6 of our long serving members decided they would not be renewing their membership of the club at the end of the club year. Would we have to close?  We are really sorry that we will be losing so many valued members –who leave us for a variety of reasons but we know they will not only continue to support our club whenever they can, but we will all continue with the friendships we have formed over so many years.  On behalf of the club, we  would like to thank all of  those members for their service. The members continuing : Susannah, Ann, Jacalyn, Belinda, Pat, Jean and Jan will be joined by Yvonne from Canterbury club and we will work together as a team to ensure that the club continues to

Reclaim the Streets March

Reclaim the Streets March

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Susannah and Jacalyn as Ashford residents attended the community Reclaim the Streets March in Ashford on 6th March to raise awareness for the need for Safer Streets.  The march went from Victoria Park, along Station Road, through to the Bandstand in the High Street, during the early evening to highlight the fact that many women feel that there is a curfew after dark.  The march was well attended  for a cold and dark March evening by the local community making a statement about how women need to feel safe when we go out.  The date was also significant due to International Womens Day on the following Tuesday. At the Bandstand, speeches were given by Cllr Lyn Suddards who organised the event along side some of the other female councillors, she  mentioned the fear that was expressed when Sarah Everard’s body was found close to Ashford

Fundraising for Baby Basics Folkestone

Fundraising for Baby Basics Folkestone

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In January, we presented Baby Basics Folkestone with a £200 donation that we had raised thanks to the generosity of Waitrose Hythe allowing us to use their cafe as our meeting place.  Waitrose donated refreshments for our club meetings and then our members made a donation towards this during our 2021 in-person meetings. Baby Basics Folkestone used this to top up their stocks of items that they needed as shown               Baby Basics is a volunteer-led project aiming to support new mothers and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby. Baby Basics started in Sheffield in the spring of 2009, and there is an ever increasing network of Baby Basics centres across the country each staffed by a committed team of volunteers. Baby Basics provides much needed essentials and

Folkestone & Hythe Woman of the Year 2020- The Hunt is on!

Folkestone & Hythe Woman of the Year 2020- The Hunt is on!

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Nominations are invited to find that inspirational woman who lives, work or was born in the area covered by Folkestone and Hythe District Council. A woman could be nominated for her contribution to the community, for improving the role of women, for showing personal courage or for outstanding professional achievement. There must be thousands of women within Folkestone and Hythe who achieve this but their contribution to our community goes unrecognised – someone who seems to go the extra mile, does something selfless or difficult and who makes you proud to say “I am so glad to have known her – she has made a real difference” If you know someone who you feel should be recognised please nominate her, using the attached form.Inspirational Woman of the year entry form 2020 The prize of a donation to the charity of the winner’s choice will be

PROCESSIONS – June 2018

PROCESSIONS – June 2018

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On 10th June 2018, PROCESSIONS were held in 4 cities across the UK, London, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh.  Women and girls were invited to make banners and to join the PROCESSIONS to celebrate 100 years of some women getting the vote. SI Folkestone decided to attend the event, so we needed to make a banner.  This was a fun and creative day, which involved lots of laughter, chatting about all varieties of subjects whilst working,  and coffee and cake. No better way to spend a Sunday. Some very vocal assistance was also given by the gorgeous Willow who then took to hiding in the fabric cupboard https://www.flickr.com/photos/165179304@N04/albums/72157692102113860/with/42742658881/ Armed with our banner we travelled to London, naturally with a cake and coffee stop enroute, where we joined 30,000 women and girls to walk from Park Lane to Parliament Square forming a giant moving artwork.  All attending

Announcing Shepway’s Inspirational Woman of the Year 2018…

Announcing Shepway’s Inspirational Woman of the Year 2018…

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On May 12th, at an Afternoon Tea awards ceremony held at the Clifton Hotel in Folkestone, we announced the Shepway Inspirational Woman of the Year for 2018. Many of our nominees attended with their supporters and nominators, and all proceeds raised from the event will be donated to The Shepway Foodbank.  Nominations were received from the public for a Shepway woman that they felt had made a significant difference to either their business, local community or overcome personal circumstances. Nominations were received for the following local women: Gillian Ayling,  Susan Carey, Julie Hanbury. Pam Jones, Paula McCormack,  Sarah Noble, Cllr Patricia Rolfe, Kerry Ryan,  Jo Shapter, Joanna Strickland, Maureen Walby, Joy White. – Our congratulations go to all of the Nominees!  All nominees were awarded a certificate and a pen by Mayor Ann Berry.   Highly Commended was given to Jo Shapter for her work with

Shepway’s Inspirational Women of the Year Launch – March 2018

Shepway’s Inspirational Women of the Year Launch – March 2018

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We were pleased to welcome our guests to our inaugural event to launch  Shepway’s Inspirational Woman of the Year 2018 on International Women’s Day (8th March). The event was kindly hosted at Holiday Extras in Newingreen where Soroptimist  Nicola Boston works, and she welcomed all to the event.  President Jan then gave an overview of  our organisation Soroptimist International and our mission, vision and aims as well as talking about the work that we have do in the local area, as well as some of our international projects.  This gave the gathered audience a good overview of what we are about.     Jan then introduced the criteria for the Shepway’s Inspirational Woman of the Year 2018, and details of the form that needed to be completed for nominations.    You can find all of the details here.  Entries must be submitted by Sunday 8th

Invitation to Launch of the Inspirational Woman of the Year 2018 – February 2018

Invitation to Launch of the Inspirational Woman of the Year 2018 – February 2018

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To celebrate  International Women’s Day,  Soroptimist International Folkestone, we invite you join us at our launch event for Shepway’s Inspirational Woman of the Year 2018, at Holiday Extras Campus, The Wave, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent, CT21 4JF on Thursday 8th March from 4pm until 6pm. International Women’s Day was first launched in 1911 and is not specific to any country or organisation.  The 2018 campaign theme is #Press for Progress which, as Soroptimists is something we support.  Soroptimists International strive to improve the lives of women and girls through Enabling Educating and Empowering women and girls and we: believe achievement comes in many different forms value women’s individual and collaborative success ensure credit is given for women’s contribution celebrate women’s role and their journeys showcase women’s successes With these themes in mind, we are looking to recognise a woman from within Shepway who has made an inspirational