The Remembrance Service took place on a crisp sunny day where, at the War Memorial, our president-elect felt honoured to lay our wreath and represent S.I. Kenilworth, as one of the many service groups here in Kenilworth.
At our dinner on the 24th November, Soroptimists of SI Kenilworth and District celebrated Soroptimist International Day with a Dutch themed dinner. A short ceremony beforehand saw members lighting candles to celebrate our friendship links with other clubs, both in the UK and further afield. Afterwards we were entertained with brief talks about Holland and a “Dutch song” (see below!)
Kenilworth Soroptimists welcomed two new members into the club at their October 2016 business meeting.
To mark Anti-Slavery Day on 18 October and to raise awareness of Human Trafficking, Kenilworth and District Soroptimists have extended the visibility of the organisations ‘Purple Teardrop Campaign’ by placing their distinctive black, purple and white posters in public conveniences. The UK Wide campaign aims to raise awareness of the plight of people particularly women and girls, who are trafficked into prostitution. The posters which have now been placed in Warwick District Council’s toilets and leisure centres provide information on spotting the signs of trafficking and have telephone helpline numbers for victims or concerned members of the public to contact Warwick District Councillor and Soroptimist Felicity Bunker commented: “Warwick District Council is very pleased to be able to support this campaign in a very practical way. I would like to thank the Kenilworth Soroptimists for the work they are doing to help our community understand
Kenilworth Soroptimists, along with wonderful support from other clubs in Midland Arden Region and in particular SI Stourbridge and District, are raising money to help improve Malawian children’s medical services through the charity ‘Friends of sick Children in Malawi’. Local artist and Soroptimist Jane Powell has created an art work to depict and promote the involvement of Kenilworth club in this important works. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Reducing child mortality is a United Nations priority for this country. Soroptimist’s Clubs have raised funds to support a second nurse through paediatric training. The nurse selected for this specialist training has been described as simply outstanding by the Head of Emergency Paediatric Care in Malawi. Patricia Weinbren from the Kenilworth Club said ‘as Soroptimists we are committed to help women throughout the world achieve their full potential. Supporting specialist nurse training
Region held a competition recently to design a Programme Action Poster on the theme of Education. Our club entry was by Soroptimist Jane Powell, an artist.
At the business meeting on Thursday 8th September, we marked Betty Mashs’ 50th year in soroptimists! We presented Betty with a collage depicting all her years in soroptimism, a life drawing of her penned by fellow member and local artist Jane Powell, a certificate from head office and a bouquet of flowers. Prior to joining Kenilworth. Betty was a member and former President of Coventry Soroptimists.
On the thankfully dry evening of 26th July, a small group from Kenilworth Soroptimists Club went along to Hill Close Gardens in Warwick to be entertained by Heartbreak Productions. A local, very talented ensemble of six actors/ musicians treated us to an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. There was much changing of costumes and character, impromptu pouncing on unsuspecting members of the audience to join in with a joke or song, and a great atmosphere overall. We “Groundlings” picnicked before the main performance but were entertained throughout. We were able to stay comfortably amid our goodies and glasses of wine, and sit back to take it all in. Several of us were already familiar with this Leamington based company but I think those who came to it for the first time were pleasantly surprised. I know I will be keen to do this again
On Saturday 23rd July, in glorious sunshine, Ann hosted her wonderful Garden Party in aid of the charity Look Good Feel Better. We were joined on the day by Federation President Elect Ann Hodgson and a wonderful time was enjoyed by all who attended. Many thanks to Ann and Shaun, who opened up their home and garden to us for this very worthy cause. The weather was great and as always all the club members pulled together working and having fun at the same time. Our Soroptimisters Shaun, Marshall and Dave also did a great job. The large home-made BBQ for bangers and kebabs along with salads, puds and a few summer drinks made for a happy time for all and there is never a lack of conversation with Kenilworth Soroptimists around. We were joined by 2 new potential members who we look forward
Our June dinner speaker was Rachel O’Reilly, Professor of Chemistry at Warwick University. She gave us a talk about her research into polymers (materials built up from smaller units) and their applications. Her group can construct polymer nano cages that can contain an active ingredient inside that is released only when needed. The cages are tiny: a nano metre is one thousandth millionth of a metre. She told us that they could be used, for example, in laundry powder to keep the different enzymes from interacting with each other until required for getting on with the job of cleaning up all the different types of dirt we get on our clothes: grass stains, wine, blood, egg yolk …. Who knew laundry powder could be so interesting! It was a fascinating insight into the life and work of a research scientist and left us in awe
