On Saturday 9th March, members from SI Llandudno, together with other Soroptimists from clubs around our region, marked International Wpmen’s Day at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at Trevor near Llangollen. We were there to join hands across the bridge to show our unity with women everywhere, to focus on Peace and Ending Violence Against Women, and to reflect on the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. Members also enjoyed a narrowboat ride across the aqueduct which carries the Llangollen canal high above the valley of the River Dee. The aqueduct was designed by Thomas Telford and is a World Heritage Site. It is the highest aqueduct in Britain. Here is a round up pf photos showing us standing up for women’s rights on International Women’s Day: Gillian, Mary, Hilary and her son Gareth, and Pat.         Mary and Sandra waving from the narrowboat.

FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY Sunday 8th March 50th Annual Charter Lunch at Imperial Hotel, Llandudno. We welcomed guests from our Friendship Clubs in Vienna, Herrsching  and Pendleside, from other clubs around the region, also the mayor of Llandudno, and the SIGBI Federation President Pat Black. All the Presidents gather at the Imperial Hotel before the lunch.         Mary and Pat cutting the cake,     After the event Federation President Pat Black put a picture of our Jubilee Cake on the Soroptimists Facebook page, and we have received World Wide congratulations.         The Imperial hotel dining room decked in blue and yellow.  SIGBI Federation President Pat Black who was our guest speaker.           Beryl Lloyd Jones and Eirawen Mitchell, club social and fundraising convenors, arranged a buffet meal at Stella Maris on Friday evening,

Here is our blue and yellow tombola stall set out ready to help raise money for the 3E’s project MCAI: Maternal and Childhealth Advocacy International. This SIGBI project brings help to mothers and children in the Gambia. Twelve members of SI Llandudno attended the Regional Meeting on Saturday 23rd February at Cheshire View, Christleton, near Chester. We heard speakers Chris Dukes talking about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, which our club members regularly support, and Aled Roberts talking about Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking, both major issues which are matters of concern in our aim to eliminate violence against women and girls.

A cheque for £418.00 was presented to Aberconwy Domestic Abuse Support and Information drop-in centre for the purchase of new garden furniture, including a large  bench and table. Two plaques for the bench and table, commemorating the 50 year Jubilee of Soroptimist International of Llandudno & Distrct, were also presented. Janet, on behalf of Women’s Aid, accepts the cheque from President Mary.                Commemorative plaque.           President Mary and members of SI Llandudno with Janet.             The bench in situ at the drop-in centre.             President Mary with members of  Women’s Aid staff admire the new bench.                                                          

Several members of SI Llandudno attended the Regional Change of Insignia meeting and President’s Lunch at the Beaufort Hotel, Mold, on 10th November 2012. A bric a brac table raised funds for the 3E’s project, MCAI, Maternal and Childhealth Advocacy International. During the change of Insignia ceremony, the outgoing regional president Cherry Povall from SI Birkenhead passed over the chain of office to incoming regoional president Susan Jones from SI Wrexham. SI Llandudno member Hilary Williams, regional vice president, gave a vote of thanks to Cherry for all the work she had done during her presidential year. Then regional president Susan presented Hilary with the regional president elect’s chain of office. Cherry and Susan   Hilary gives vote of thanks to Cherry.          President Susan and President Elect Hilary 2012-2013 SI Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral.

To raise funds for Macmillan cancer support, we organised a sponsored walk on 8th August and a coffee morning on 22nd September. Some members walked round the Great Orme from West to North Shore, while others walked from shore to shore along Gloddaeth Avenue. In the photogragh below you can see the walkers halfway round the Orme waiting for Jane to bring some well-earned refreshments. Later all the walkers met for supper at Lilley’s reastaurant. We held our Macmillan coffee morning at Adlington House, Rhos-on-Sea, where we were very well supported by members and friends.

On Sunday  23rd September, members and friends attended a service at St.Tudno’s Church, Great Orme, Llandudno to mark the U.N. International Day of Peace [21st September]. The service was conducted by the Rev. Canon John Nice who gave the address for Peace, recognising the Soroptimist vision of strong and peaceful communities worldwide. President Mary welcomed members and read a prayer for peace and readings were also given by Janet Murfin. Soroptimister Ray Stythe-Jones was the organist. The retiring collection at the service to mark the International Day of Peace was donated to ‘Help for Heroes” and church repair funds. After the service, we went for afternoon tea served at St. Tudno’s Hotel in Llandudno – real tea with tea leaves! We were pleased that President Elect Denise from SI Rhyl was able to join us for the service and tea. Here we are at the hotel:  

Llandudno Soroptimists enjoyed a super day out to Llangollen on 21st July. We cruised across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, high up above the Dee valley, with fabulous views of the Berwyn Mountains.

Soroptimists from other North Wales clubs joined in the fun at our Line Dancing Friendship evening in July.                      

Celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee cruising down the River Dee in Chester.     Dancing to the accompaniment of a Jazz band, wearing our bling and enjoying the buffet. Llandudno Soroptimists had a good time in the company of Soroptimists from around our region, and the Federation President Maureen MacGuire.