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Great British Spring Clean – March 2017

Great British Spring Clean – March 2017

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  Did you notice the campaign in March to clean up your local area?  It was advertised everywhere from the press to motorway overhead signage.  SI Folkestone did and decided there was no better way to spend a Friday evening with friends, doing something for the local community. A few club members spent an hour litter-picking in Folkestone, as part of the annual Great British Spring Clean.  In less than an hour, two bags of litter were collected and we were thanked by members of the local community for “doing our bit”. We all want to live in a cleaner country free from litter, so it is important that we all take part in Spring Cleaning our local area.  Same Month, next year ladies?

Older Women Rock Official Launch – February 2017

Older Women Rock Official Launch – February 2017

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February  17th saw the official launch of the Older Women Rock! Poetry and Fashion Shop in the Space Gallery, High Street, Folkestone,  which will run through until 12th March.  The purpose of the Old Women Rock is to raise awareness and explore issues facing women in their late 50’s ands 60’s.  The pop-up shop features an exhibition of retro clothes embroidered, printed, burned and beaded with poetry that explores issues being faced by older women.   We have been working with Poet Leah Thorne on obtaining funding for Old Women Rock! as well as taking part in some of the events including the flashmob.               At the launch event, two of our members Nicky and Olivia  spoke about Soroptimists International in general and our club and the work we do, which was great publicity for us.  The feedback were received from

Hawkinge Craft Fair – November 2016

Hawkinge Craft Fair – November 2016

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November 2016, saw club members with a stall at the Hawkinge Craft Fair, Hawkinge Village Hall selling produce and crafts made by members and their families. £136 was raised for Alzheimers and other dementia support charities from the proceeds of the stall. President  Rosemary joined in the spirit of things, and made some new friends, so some fun was had on the way.

SUNA Fundraising Charity Meal – October 2016

SUNA Fundraising Charity Meal – October 2016

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A very successful fund raising event was held at the SUNA Restaurant in West Terrace, Folkestone on Sunday 23rd October.   Teaming with SUNA, a donation of £7 per meal was given by Chung, the owner, to Soroptimist International Club of Folkestone for every carvery sold between 3pm and 7pm.  Members encouraged their friends and family to attend as well as advertising the event locally, meaning that this was a good social event too.   Club members  were delighted that a sum in excess of £500 was raised. Club President, Rosemary Braid thanked Chung and his staff for their wholehearted support.  ‘Rosie’s Moments’, a support group for those with memory loss and their carers, run by Jo Clifford at Folkestone Sports Centre, will be among the recipients.

National Beach Clean – September 2016

National Beach Clean – September 2016

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Members of Soroptimist International Club of Folkestone and 2 young helpers joined forces and took part in the National Beach Clean and litter surveying programme organised by the Marine Conservation Society on Sunday, 18th September at Seabrook,  near Folkestone. They noted that there was very little litter compared to previous years thanks to the concerted beach cleaning efforts of staff of Shepway District Council.

Donkey Derby Boot fair – August 2016

Donkey Derby Boot fair – August 2016

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Early this morning in the sunshine, in Radnor Park, some of the Folkestone Soroptimists (and some “Soroptimisters”) could be found setting up their boot fair stall at the Annual Folkestone Donkey Derby. We were easily spotted in our yellow tabards and sashes and with our promotional material available, it gave us the opportunity to talk to people about our club and what we do, as well as some fundraising.   Reinforcements arrived throughout the day meaning that ten members of the club all gave as much time as they could to man the stall, and persuaded the public to part with their money.  It was a fun day with the club working together to clear as much stock as possible for the best possible price ( always a challenge at a boot fair), and enjoying the sunshine, and having a few giggles on the way. We even managed to sell Jan’s

August Meeting – Leah Thorn & Older Women Rock!

August Meeting – Leah Thorn & Older Women Rock!

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At the August meeting,  poet Leah Thorn spoke to us about her “Older Women Rock!” project that she is working on in Folkestone, and the ideas and basis of the project. Our club are hoping to be very much involved in this as they think it is raising awareness of specific issue that women in their late 50’s to early 70’s face.  The plans for Old Women Rock sound really exciting – and some of our group are disappointed that they are too young to participate (our time will come – don’t go wishing your life away)  – but will support in other ways.  It was great to hear the club still discussing the project over coffee at the end of the evening Watch this space Folkestone, there is definitely more to come on this project.  Updates will follow with SI Folkestone hopefully being fully involved!