Thurs 9th April AGM    Business meeting (Group 1 to organise) Thurs 30th April Members breakfast meet up Thurs 14th May Business meeting (Group 2 to organise) Sun 16th May  Lunch – Virgins and Castle members and guests Thurs 11th June Business meeting (Group 3 to organise) Sat 13th June Plant stall at Lions Grand Show Sun 14th June Marshalling at 2 Castles Run Thurs 9th July Business meeting (Group 4 to organise) Fri 10th – Sun 12th July Friendship Weekend Sat 11th July Croquet evening Thurs 16th July Walk and Afternoon tea at Evelyn Chan’s home Sun 9th August Kenilworth Castle for Club Picnic – families welcome, bring your own picnic. Thurs 10th September Business meeting (Group 5 to organise) Sat 26th September Sat 26th September Members breakfast meet up Regional meeting Bromsgrove Methodist Church Thurs 8th October Business meeting (Group 1 to organise) Thurs

  At February’s Business Meeting we were pleased to welcome Gordon Cowie MBE, Chairman of Friends of Sick Children in Malawi who told us about the work this organisation does in a paediatric unit at a Malawi general hospital. The dedication and commitment of him and his wife is humbling and we have been happy to support them when we have been able to. The statistics about the levels of poverty and the details of life with very little access to good health care for children are frightening and Gordon and his team have worked substantial miracles fund raising and organising the renovation and equipping of semi-derelict hospital wards including the provision of orthotic aids, wheel chairs and home chairs,  providing piped oxygen to the children’s wards and resuscitation trolleys for moving children from the operation theatre to intensive care beds. Another major project has

Many thanks to Judy Ledger MBE for her presentation at January’s business meeting by zoom. Her talk was emotionally charged, coming from personal tragic experience, and inspiring, and it made us glad we had been able to support Baby Lifeline this year. Particularly poignant was the moment Soroptimist Gill told us that she had been in the meeting at the hospital, more than 40 years ago, at which the first funding was granted to the nascent charity and remembered well how Judy, a young nurse at the time, had convinced the room that she would be worth backing. More than 30 members joined the online meeting, on an evening when the treacherous weather made zooming the sensible option. Despite the limitations we also managed to move forward with the club’s plans for 26/27. As always, team work triumphed over technology

This year’s Christmas dinner took place at Kenilworth’s Holiday Inn in a spirit of friendship and fun. In the midst of 2025’s  very busy 16 days of Activism it was good to step back and simply enjoy the company of friends. The evening was rounded off with entertainment provided by Talisman Theatre in a Christmas review which sent us home laughing.

It was the turn of Kenilworth Soroptimists to host the Midland Arden Region meeting. As well as sharing the work of the different clubs in the region,there were presentations from speakers Donna Lewis and Katie Dixon from Anawim – the Birmingham based charity supporting vulnerable women and Gill Kirkman from Bradford University talking about how technology can be used to prevent adolescent dating violence and abuse. As always the event was a valuable opportunity for an exchange of information and views and also time to reinforce relationships with our neighbouring clubs.

Many thanks to Vicky and Ann from Read Easy #readeasy for their excellent presentation about teaching adult non-readers. This teaching programme grew from the Shannon Trusts work teaching reading in prisons and now is a national organisation working 1 to 1 with any person who comes forward as a non-reader ready to make that life-changing decision to join the reading world. Wonderful work. #volunteering #supportingwomenandgirls

This year, the Sunday before Remembrance Day fell on the 9th November. At our War Memorial there was an impressive turn out of representatives of the many organisations that operate in Kenilworth, joined by our MP, Sir Jeremy Wright, and the town Mayor, James Kennedy. The two minutes silence was moving as always. The roll call of wreath layers was long and evoked pride in all of us present. Our representatives stood as proxy for all us members of the town’s organisations and carried out their role with dignity. The sky was grey and the mood was solemn but we were all glad to be there to demonstrate that we do not forget those who have suffered from war and those who continue to do so.  

This event took place at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre between October 31st and November 2nd – three days of inspiration, interest, learning and fellowship . Day 1. This was the day to meet old friends and make new contacts. And importantly there were three excellent speakers with valuable insights into women’s issues – inspirational! Day 2. This was the day for learning. Everyone had the opportunity to attend four workshops with the focus on action, effectiveness and productivity. Notes were taken! Day 3. This was the day for awards. Good practice was recognised, rewarded and celebrated. For more information and many many pictures visit: SIGBI Birmingham Conference 2025

We are really delighted to be donating £1750.55 to Baby Lifeline after our charity matinee on October 4th of Jane Austen’s “Emma” at Kenilworth Talisman.Theatre. Many thanks to the Talisman for working with us on this and many congratulations on superb production of Andrew Davies’ adaptation of a wonderful novel. It was such a pleasure to spend the afternoon with friends and neighbours in the theatre and let’s face it – the raffle was pretty spectacular! Congratulations to Amanda and the Fundraising team for a stellar event. talismantheatrekenilworth #BabyLifeline

It may be some months ago now but we haven’t forgotten the excellent work done by Deborah Thomas, a women’s health physiotherapist and Doctor Rebecca Jacques, on our behalf, when they led an evening devoted to Your Menopause Matters. The project was the focus of a presentation at Midland Arden Region Programme Action Awards in September ’25. Our presentation won 3rd prize, behind the joint winners Stratford and Stourbridge, but the prizes are very far from the point. The awards highlighted the absolutely excellent work going on across Midland Arden Region with support for women and girls at its very heart. @sigbi @midlandardenregion   Congratulations all!