This is an ambulance heading to Ukraine. It’s not the first ambulance delivery to Ukraine. It’s not the first ambulance run from Kenilworth but it is the first driven by Soroptimist Sharon. She had the ambulance for her birthday from her husband LIon Dave. Her What’sApp started thus “Some of you may already know this but Dave has bought me an ambulance for my 70th birthday. We will be driving it to the Polish/ Ukraine border ………. filled with medical supplies.” What is more, Sharon’s hand luggage will be warm gloves, hats and scarves. We are going to contribute as much as we can to help with this. We are just knocked out by this – more than words can say Sharon.  

Very good to meet these three Girl Guides from Kenilworth on their return from the Rome to Home Challenge.Kenilworth Soroptimists sponsored their trip and after meeting them, we’re so glad we gave them a helping hand. The girls spoke enthusiasticly about what they had gained from the experience and knew they had grown in confidence and had developed valuable skills. It was all carried out within a framework of adult support and care but nonetheless required the girls to use their initiative and act independently. Well done girls!

How much did we enjoy meeting Maddie Towle at the June Business Meeting? Maddie is the student from Kenilworth School and Sixth Form who created the art work which is going to help sell many many Kenilworth Advent Calendars come November. She explained the thoughts that lay behind her design, which, as Julie said in her vote of thanks, had spoken clearly to the judging panel. All the artists who took part, submitted skillful and effective works but Maddie’s painting of the High Street was a unanimous choice. We send our very best wishes to Maddie and hope that she will use our endorsement of her abilities as a stepping stone to a successful future, whatever that might be.

So, we crawled into bed after scrubbing soil from beneath our finger nails on Saturday night …. and then leapt up at the crack of dawn on Sunday to go marshalling at the Two Castles Run. Many thanks to the Two Castles Run #2castlesrun for giving 20 Kenilworth Soroptimists and friends the opportunity to be involved in this wonderful community event. It was a celebration of preparation, team work and endeavour. We loved it Two Castles Run Soroptimist International Kenilworth & District So many good things happened today – gorgeous weather, our friend the Mayor coming to wish us luck, the wonderful runners and then the after party with bacon batches. And we get paid. That fee will be put to good use. #supportingwomenandgirls

Well it was a great day at the Lions Grand Show. The sun shone and we sold plants – oh boy did we sell plants! Thanks to everyone who grew the plants, nurtured them and delivered them to Abbey Fields in fine fettle .And then, of course, thanks to the lovely folk of Kenilworth who came and bought them. The proceeds – watch this space – will be donated to the charity, Clothing Coventry. Look for the blog post about this charity. You will soon see why we chose them as the recipients of the Plant Stall.

What an inspiration our speakers were at June’s Business Meeting. James Moffat and Katie Wilson joined us from Clothing Coventry. They described the need in our neighbouring city and Katie spoke strongly of her hate of waste and overconsumption that lead her to start Clothing Coventry. This charity works from three warehouses giving clothes to those who need them free of charge. They monitor and control the number of visits any one person can make but basically have no trouble sourcing huge amounts of unwanted used clothing and the challenge is to get it to those people who need it most. As well as the general stock they keep,  they run projects such as the School Uniform Project to really focus on where families need support most. At the end of the talk Anne gave the vote of thanks, speaking movingly about how she understood

It is so hard to decide who should benefit from our fundraising. This year we have chosen the recipients of our new major fundraising project - The Kenilworth Advent Calendar  and the details are in the post specific to that event but we will also raise other amounts during the year. Club members were asked to nominate recipients for funds raised by the Plant Sale at Kenilworth Lions Grand Show and also by the Christmas Tombola. These were then voted for and the charities chosen this year are Clothing Coventry and Women's Aid We are so pleased to be able to offer some financial aid.

On one of the hottest days of the year let’s think ahead to Christmas ’26 and the Kenilworth Advent Calendar. The charities we will be proud to support this year will be Myton Hospice Refuge Compassionate Kenilworth Kenilworth Centre Talisman Youth Theatre Priory Youth Theatre #supportcommunity #supportingwomenandgirls #supportlocal #mytonhospice #compassionatekenilworth #TalismanTheatre #priorytheatre #KenilworthCentre

  Friendship Weekend We are expecting 6 visitors from SI Arnhem Oost and 8 visitors from SI Remsheid. The plan for the weekend is as follows. Friday 10th July Saturday 11th July Sunday 12th July Welcome buffet meal at Sharon’s 231 Warwick Road £10 Visit to Compton Verney guided tour with lunch £35 Evening Beetle Drive £T16 Stoneleigh Serenade £30

As Sharon stepped down from her year as President of SI Kenilworth and District, she asked us to reflect on the wonderful picture from the club’s inaugural event in 1969 – the formality and the solemnity compared with the warmth and humour of last night’s meeting. But the Objects of Soroptimists, as read by Alison, remain the same. Great to see Fiona and Donna taking on leadership roles at the start of this new year – we know they will keep us moving forward in their prospective roles. What else could we buy for our retiring President, but a Rose of Sharon. Congratulations on another excellent year Sharon! With the AGM successfully negotiated, there was plenty of work to do. Amanda gave us an update on the preparations for SI Kenilworth and District taking over the Kenilworth Advent Calendar.  The campaign will have its own