Mr Charles Hardy, a chocolatier who runs the Old Fire Station Chocolate and Coffee Shop in Tarporley was the guest speaker at our November Friendship Evening. He gave us a brief history of his own family involvement with making sweets, and told us the story of chocolate. He then demonstrated how the continental chocolates are made that are sold in the shop. Afterwards, there were delicious truffles to sample and boxes of hand made chocolates were for sale. The Friendship Evening was attended by SI Llandudno members and friends, and we were also pleased to welcome ten members of Treasure Chest, the charity benefitting from the proceeds of the evening. Treasure chest is a local charity, based at the Cancer Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital, supporting women being treated for breast cancer.

Mary Longworth, a member of Soroptimist International Llandudno and District was one of a team from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board who visited Quithing in Lesotho, Africa earlier this month. The Health Board have a link with Quithing and the team are undertaking a project in improving maternal health by training and updating the obstetric knowledge of the nurses. SI Llandudno sponsored Mary with a donation of £1000, half of which was raised by a coffee morning at the home of member Sheila Griffiths. The money was used to purchase an obstetric model, birthing balls, and other equipment.

  On 6th to 8th November, the SIGBI Federation Conference was held at the International Conference Centre in Harrogate. A large delegation went from our region, including nine members from SI Llandudno. SI Llandudno were chosen to give a Programme Action  presentation, about The Bee Project, on the Friday morning at conference. Former PA co-ordinator Elaine Bullock has worked very hard in association with SI Rhyl introducing the Bee Project to local schools and has sent in the  Programme Focus reports. She stood up in front of the large audience with President Elect Stephanie, who was standing in for President Pat who was unable to attend due to health issues. The presentation was very well received and generated much interest in the Bee project.  

On International Anti-Slavery Day, four members stood in Llandudno town centre to give out leaflets and stickers to raise awareness. They were joined by James Coy, Anti Human Trafficking Coordinator for North Wales who sent the following message “Well done all of you. I am very grateful to you all in SI, and never cease to be impressed by the way that you organise yourselves and get things done. I wish that some of the other partner agencies were as efficient!” On the same day, a coffee morning was held to raise funds for a new playground for the local Women’s Refuge, with a donation also to the Bee Project. A total of £295 was raised.    

Over the weekend, 20th and 21st September, members marked the UN International Day of Peace. On Saturday, members attended the Regional Meeting at Bangor University, and took part in writing Peace messages on paper doves to affix on the “Peace Garden” board, along with other messages from clubs across the Region. Regional President Hilary is receiving the messages and President Pat read out one of the messages. On Sunday, club members attended a Service to celebrate International Day of Peace at St. Tudno’s Church on the Great Orme. Readings were carefully chosen by members and the address was given by Rev. John Nice. Afterwards we stood outside the church in lovely sunshine for photographs. This was followed by a very nice afternoon tea at St. George’s Hotel, Llandudno.

Our Friendship Evening on 24th July was an “Antiques Road Show”, courtesy of Mr David Jones from Rogers Jones, Auction House in Colwyn Bay. Here is Mr Jones with President Pat and a selection of items members brought for valuation. We were pleased to welcome members from other clubs in the region, as well as guests and friends, to a buffet supper. There were stalls and a raffle in aid of our charities. Our next event is a coffee morning on Saturday 2nd August at Sheila’s house, to raise money for Mary’s project to help the maternity hospital in Lesotho.    

On Wednesday 9th July, Gaynor, Susan, Sandra, Pat and Hilary went to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to help run the Soroptimist tent, selling jewellery and refreshments, talking to possible new members and explaining our programme action projects. The Soroptimists of Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral sponsor the Children’s Choir of the World competition , and present the prize money and trophy. This year Regional President Hilary and Federation President Margaret were on stage at the presentation ceremony.

    On Wednesday 25th June we held a Charity Concert at Rydal Penrhos School, with Choir and Jazz Band. The programme included works by Rutter, Tallis, Purcell, Jenkins, Davies, Gershwin and much more. All proceeds went to Handicap International and to the local breast cancer charity Treasure Chest. These two charities are the ones nominated by President Pat this year and we made £661 from the raffle, refreshments and donations. We were delighted to welcome about 50 or 60 people to the concert and they all said how much they had enjoyed it. The following evening, at our speaker meeting, we had a most informative and interesting talk by a representative of the charity Handicap International who spoke about the Forgotten Ten Challenge.                

On Saturday 21st June, some members attended the Regional Meeting at Cheshire View. It was an interesting meeting and we took the opportunity to display our programme action projects and do some fund-raising: Sandra displayed the sunflowers she has been knitting in aid of “See Solar, Cook Solar”. Elaine is working hard on the Bee Project with local schools and was selling items to raise money for craft materials for the children. Helen and Janet raised about £60 for the BIG (Birthing in the Gambia) Project with a blue and yellow tombola. Stephanie organised a red raffle which raised £70 for Endometriosis UK. Well done everybody!!