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

The “Purpling the Park”  event has become a popular part of SI Kenilworth and District’s year and March 8th 2026 has been no different. It was great to hear from two passers by that “LOTS of people” read the messages we put out around the park. The variety of voices and different points of view expressed in those posters make it an entertaining and thought provoking walk through the park but the strong message is the same – of course women have something to say and demand equal rights and justice – why would any person think otherwise! Lots of information and inspiration in the Library display too. Thanks to Kenilworth Library for their support once again. A helping of Friendship with a dash of Poetry on the side. A wonderful afternoon of friendship, food, wine and poetry. What an inspired way to celebrate International

  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