SI Kenilworth took part in Handicap International’s Forgotten 10 Challenge by entering a tree in St Nicholas’ Church Christmas Tree Festival at the beginning of December. We were raising awareness of the continues use of landmines and the effects on the communities that still have to live in the areas where landmines are left. We decorated the tree with pictures of the work Handicap International carries out to help these communities, and left information for the visiting public to take away. Find out more at Handicap International’s website http://www.handicap-international.org.uk/resources/latest_news/landmines_cluster_munitions/111212_F10_events left – Carole and Jane with the decorated tree right – Jane and Carole    

The 2012 Kenilworth Wonders receiving their certificates for participating in the 15th Soroptimist Swimathon. This year’s team set a new personal best of 45 laps- well done! The swimathon raised over £7000 for Myton Hospices and Parkinson’s UK.

On Saturday 29th September we met with members of our friendship link SI Cardiff and District, and 140 other Soroptimists and friends from the Midlands to plant 5000 daffodil and crocus bulbs in the War Widow’s Wood. After the digging and planting we enjoyed a tour of the Arboretum and visited the Sorptimist’s garden, stopping for a well earned lunch before travelling home. A great day was enjoyed by all, we made some new friends and are looking forward to a return visit to enjoy the flowers.

….for the rain, it raineth every day…. or it seems to every time we have a plant sale. It was no different this year as we prepared our stand at the Lion’s Show. Yet, thanks to our two gazebos we weathered the storm. Coffee and donuts kept us cheerful throughout the morning, despite the rain, as we set out our many bedding plants (kindly donated by Bordon Hill Nurseries, thanks to Andrea) alongside some fine examples of Carole N’s wooden craftwork and a display of typical, non-perishable foodstuffs that will be used by the Kenilworth Foodbank to make up one of their food parcels.  Then, just as the Carnival Queen, escorted by a cavalcade of classic cars, entered Abbey Fields and this year’s Mayor, Cllr. George Illingworth, declared the Show open, the rain stopped and the townsfolk descended on us. We had a successful afternoon,

[new_royalslider id=”3″] President Andrea, Anita, Sharon and Bronwen took part in a sponsored white water rafting event organised by our friendship link club SI Cardiff. The event to mark World Water Day was sponsored and all funds raised will be used for water projects in The Gambia. We were pleased the sun shone and we were dressed in Soroptimist Blue and Yellow. Thanks to our team mates Kay from SI Cardiff and her son Ceri and our able guide Elliot who made the whole experience far more fun than we ever imagained. We can’t wait for the next time! From L to R Bronwen (SI Kenilworth), President Cathy (SI Cardiff), President Andrea (SI Kenilworth), Sharon and Anita (SI Kenilworth) and Cherry (SI Cardiff), recovering in the beautiful Cardiff sunshine

President Andrea was proud to present Mary Robbins of the NSPCC with a cheque for £3165.57. The NSPCC is one of President Andrea’s chosen charities for this year. The money was raised over the year at several events including the Plant Sale, Christmas Fair, Casino Night, Mulled Wine Event and Summer Garden Party.

We wished Jo our press and publicity officer, newsletter editor and web site manager a fond farewell on Saturday 3rd March. We will miss you Jo and wish you all the best for your move, and new adventures on the other side of the world. Thank you for all your hard work, especially teaching all of you successors how to grapple with their new challenges!