We had the very happy task of renewing our Friendship link with SI Lower Hutt New Zealand when Elaine Moffatt and her husband Bob stayed with us on their tour of the UK.   As ever, we enjoyed ourselves as Elaine told us a little of her experiences during her time as Pan Pacific Federation President.   Her tales of her visit to Papua New Guinea were certainly hair raising and not the sort of thing we are used to in leafy Kenilworth – all the more reason to support women and children in conditions far less fortunate than we take as normal.      

  We had a wonderful time celebrating with our German friendship link club, SI Remscheid, the 50th anniversary of their Charter.   We had great fun chatting and sharing ideas with Clubs from all over Germany, Belgium and Holland.   And of course eating our body weight in cake over the course of the weekend. Saturday night saw us all glammed up for a posh dinner, I wore my chain which was the cause of much admiration and not a little envy!   I also got to hobnob with Barbara Kohl, President of the German Union of Soroptimists and had a long talk with the Director of Remscheid High School.    SI Remscheid have raised 10,000 Euros to enable the school to expand its One World Class teaching programme for refugees (many unaccompanied) from one to three classes by paying for two more teachers for at least one year.   A local project with an international element. I

A hot, sunny weekend saw us once again hosting a stand at the 39th Leamington Peace Festival in the Pump Room Gardens. This year, our stand featured the anti-trafficking work of the ‘Purple Teardrop Campaign’ as well as other club projects, especially our fundraising to support nurse training in Malawi. Our banners did a great job of publicising Soroptimism, leading to several membership enquiries from women looking to get involved. We were also able to dispel one or two ‘myths’ about Soroptimism, such as that we are an adult literacy organisation! We also collected a further 405 signatures for the PTC petition to ban ‘sex for sale’ advertising.

Catherine Rowe, a Guider, gave club members a presentation on a planned trip to Oman. Catherine has been selected as a leader to take part in a GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) project in Oman. The aim of the project is develop the skills of leadership, to encourage women to be confident and to empower themselves. Catherine was full of enthusiasm and excitement about her trip in August.  Members were sure that it will be a successful adventure, and that she will be a great leader out in Oman, and that her knowledge will benefit the girl guides. Club members responded to Catherine and immediately voted to unanimously donate £200 towards her expenses.

As usual, Kenilworth Soroptimists were out in force at the Lion’s show to raise money for one of the charities we support: Friends of Sick Children in Malawi. There was a good selection of plants on sale at our stall (from Borden Hill Nurseries) and so far, we have raised at least £600.  

Club members have been visiting Joan for some years to help her maintain her garden. This visit was to celebrate her birthday: two of our members took her a cake and card. There were celebrations at the May club dinner as two of our members were presented with flowers as a thank you for their long service as Soroptimists: 40 years (Jane) and 45 years (Gill).    

Our President Sharon recently attended a celebratory lunch for the Midland Arden Region. She writes: Lovely time at the Midland Arden Region celebratory lunch with Federation President Ann Hodgson, MAR President Su Roxborough, Sharon Maxted, President of SI Kenilworth and Tricia Weinbrien, Past President.  So happy to be part of such an amazing bunch of women.

Kenilworth & District Soroptimists raised £650 for Friends of Sick Children in Malawi at a meet-the-author literary event held at St Francis Church Hall on 29 April 2017. Caroline Lea, author of “When the Sky Fell Apart” which was published in 2016, was the special guest at the event. Caroline, who was originally from Jersey and is now living locally, gave an insightful talk about her book, which is set in occupied Jersey during the Second World War. After a scrumptious afternoon tea and book signing, Caroline gave a workshop with tips and writing exercises for those interested in creative writing. Elaine Clarke, our Programme Action Officer said “The £650 raised is fantastic, and will make a great contribution to the training of another paediatric nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at Blantyre, Malawi,” and thanked everyone for their generous support. Soroptimists enjoying the afternoon

At our AGM on Thursday 13th April new officers were welcomed by club members for the year 2017 – 2018. Outgoing President Tricia Weinbren was presented with flowers and gifts to celebrate her successful year after inaugurating new President Sharon Maxted.