On the Sunday nearest to International Women’s Day on 8th March, we walked along Llandudno promenade with our banners and placards. Our aim was to raise awareness of Soroptimists and to offer information about Domestic Abuse helplines. Members from other Soroptimist Clubs, local councillors and former MP Betty Williams were among those who joined us for the march. Llandudno Soroptimist, Madhu, has been busy crocheting red hats for the local Rugby team and their supporters. Here they are wearing their stylish hats! Madhu also held a charity lunch at her house to raise funds for the Dom Bosco charity helping street children in Mumbai, our President’s International charity for this year.

2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918, which allowed some women over the age of 30 to vote for the first time. President Celia, with  Soroptimists and other keen supporters, lobbied Llandudno Town Council to have a plaque put on the Cocoa House, to celebrate the part played by local ladies in the Votes for Women campaign. PHOTOS ACCREDITED TO DAS MOTTRAM PHOTOGRAPHY. The first branch of the National Society of Women’s Suffrage Societies (law-abiding Suffragists) was founded here on 23rd January 1907.  The Mayor of Llandudno unveiled the plaque on 6th March 2019.                                              

On Sunday 3rd March 2019, Llandudno Soroptimists marked the 57th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of SI Llandudno and District Club. To celebrate this occasion we were pleased to welcome guests from Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral.

At our February meeting we enjoyed reviewing all the events of President Celia’s year. Barbara and Celia had put together a lovely show of photos highlighting our fundraising, social events, and awareness raising. But we were sad to say goodbye to Barbara who was a highly valued member of  SI Colwyn Bay  before moving to SI Llandudno a few years ago, as well as having been an excellent Regional Secretary. Barbara is moving to Oxfordshire to be nearer to her family.       .

The Eisteddfod is the biggest travelling festival in Europe and it is coming to Conwy County in 2019. Llandudno Soroptimists did not want to miss the opportunity to support one of the competitions. We have raised money for the cash prize awarded to the winning best Welsh Learner. President Celia invited Trefor Lewis, chairman of the local committee, to explain about the origins of the Eisteddfod and to receive the cheque.    

On Sunday 9th December, President Celia and members joined the congregation at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno, for the morning service. This occasion marked HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. This Sunday was  nearest to 10th December which is the UN Day of Human Rights. Later that day  we enjoyed a CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA. At this event we were supporting the charity, Conwy Kids Matter. Our hosts, Rob and Terry , decorate their house with wonderful Christmas decorations and prepare all the food themselves to support this charity. CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE WOMEN’S REFUGE. At our December business meeting we donated toys, food, toiletries, and money to buy perishable food nearer to Christmas Day. Representatives of Women’s Aid were most grateful for our gifts. Afterwards we enjoyed mulled fruit juice and mince pies.                 This year we are donating the money  we

President Celia and several members attended the Regional Meeting on 17th November which included the Change of Insignia for the Regional Officers and the Regional President’s Lunch at the Holiday Inn, Ellesmere Port. Among the presentations was one for the clubs that have achieved the best recruitment of members during the past year. SI Llandudno is delighted to share this award with SI Runcorn and Frodsham. At our November Business Meeting, we planted pots with daffodil bulbs for the local Women’s Refuge. We do this every year to make the garden at the Refuge look bright and colourful in the spring.

To mark the centenary of Women being given the vote, we enjoyed a talk by Mrs Betty Williams about her career in politics. Betty is a former member of SI Llandudno and District and she was the Member of Parliament for this constituency for 13 years. Members spent an afternoon at Bodnant Gardens to see the inspiring wicker sculpture of a Suffragette which has been placed on one of the terraces. The ladies who lived in Bodnant one hundred years ago were in the forefront of the Suffragist movement in North Wales. MINCE PIE & COFFEE MORNING EISTEDDFOD FUNDRAISER The aim of the Coffee Morning was to raise funds for the National Eisteddfod which will take place in Conwy County in 2019.The funds will be presented to the best Welsh Learner, and the excess will be added to our on-going collection for Mary’s Meals.  

Here is the collection of food items donated by members for the Food Bank to help needy local families. This special collection was made to mark World Food Day on 16th October. Members also donate items throughout the year.

Here is the  Information Board displayed at the MODERN DAY SLAVERY Conference held on Thursday 11th October 2018. Members of SI Llandudno were joined by Soroptimists from other clubs in the Region.