Well we should have been celebrating President Sandra’s last event with a lovely dinner. Instead Covid 19 has taken over and we are in lockdown. Never a Club to dwell on negatives, we celebrated our wonderful NHS instead. Here we are, loud and proud, clapping for the NHS. Not everyone could send in photos but we sent loads of supportive messages via our new WhatsApp group.
By wearing purple of course! Because the MAR meeting was the day before International Women’s Day, we decked ourselves out in as much purple as possible! Julie, one of our newest Club members read the Mission Statement. Besides the reports from the MAR executive, we talked about ways we can celebrate our Centenary next year. The possibility of a sculpture at the National Memorial Arboretum is very exciting.
And in the UK too! Well who knew that the Red Cross worked in the UK as well as internationally! Not many of our Club, that was for sure! Cara Munrow , our local fundraiser, certainly educated us on the work they do at home as well as abroad. Besides First Aid courses, they provide all sorts of other support in a crisis that we hadn’t thought about. Not only does the Red Cross provide physical items such as mobility aids and practical help after a flood or fire. Given the recent floods around the country this winter they have been especially busy. They also provide emotional support to those affected by a crisis. Because of their expertise they are also the biggest provider of refugee and International family tracing services. As one of our members put it – Cara, thank you
Yes – because sadly the stats for foodbanks if anything are getting worse. Andy Bower from the Trussell Trust gave us an update on the foodbank situation in our area. The stats make salutary reading. There are now 465 foodbanks in the UK. Besides the one in Kenilworth there are now a total of 6 in the Warwick District. With 158 referral agencies locally more than 5,100 including children were helped in 2019. 53,500 tons of food has been distributed. December was particularly busy with 180 people per week helped. The main users being single men and single parent families (usually women). And the main reasons for need are low income, benefit delays and changes, debt and homelessness.
The President Jane Woods Scawen celebrating with Club members, Arnhem Oost and Cardiff. Taken outside the Queen and Castle and appeared in to Soroptimist magazine 🙂
To add to the general fun and merriment of the weekend, we decided organise a Barn Dance with live band and caller as a quintessential British activity to teach our Dutch and German sisters how to dance! Only a few toes were trod on and there was much hilarity all round. We all learnt a new step called ‘peel your banana’, which mainly involved running around the line of participants in your group as fast as possible to get back to the start! Chaos and mayhem which provided much amusement for those watching. Which way now?!!! And of course, some cake!
We welcomed Midland Arden Region President Jan Hemlin to our June dinner meeting. She gave us a very interesting and informative talk about her journey as a Soroptimist so far. Amongst the highlights were her descriptions of the many Soroptimist International conferences and conventions that she has attended, and the opportunities they offer for networking, development and collaboration. Jan also gave us a clear explanation of Soroptimists involvement in the UN that demonstrated the extensive work done to address the may issues and inequalities that affect women and girls throughout the world. Although Jan delivered some very powerful statements in a gentle but dramatic manner, this just enhanced their message.
Despite the Lions unfortunately having to cancel the Grand Show this year (first time in its 46 year history) we still managed to raise £500 by selling the plants to friends and neighbours thanks to Trish hosting plant sales from her back garden.
