In April 2024, SI Chester hosted a 10 day visit for 6 members of SI Phnom Penn.  A training day was organised and the ladies from Cambodia presented an interesting presentation on the work they are involved in. One of their endeavours was to provide educational materials for school children and members of SI Rhyl & District contributed to the purchase of these items.  During their stay, we took them on a tour of North Wales, followed by an evening meal. In July 2024 we received the following message from SI Phnom Penh:- “July 13, 2024, marks as a fruitful day for Soroptimist International (SI) Phnom Penh members, bringing school materials and food for distributing to more than 200 students of Beoung Trav Primary School, Kang Meas District, Kompong Cham Province. Additionally, we donated USD 100 for the school renovation. The shining smiles and absolute

Cheese & Wine Evening Wednesday 19th June 2024 Speaker: Mary Steel, Former Headteacher Howell School Christmas Fayre Saturday 23rd November 2024 at Bodelwyddan Community Centre  -  10.30 - 12.30 Carol Singing 20th December 2024 Garden Courtyard at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd  -  12.00 - 2.00 accompanied by the Salvation Army and Chaplain, Rev. Wyn Roberts (known to us as Elvis)  Proceeds in aid of the President's Charities  The Hummingbird Project and Blossom & Bloom

It was decided that we would help Esther and her team to weed and tidy the courtyard garden. We created and planted the garden last year and are responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. This has been a very successful project. The courtyard is outside the canteen area of Glan Clwyd Hospital and is visited and enjoyed by patients, staff, and visitors on a daily basis. President Shirley also visited a local children’s charity shop and gave out free flip-flops to children and parents who were in the shop. The children’s clothes she also took were well received by the charity shop.

Photographs of the courtyard garden taken on 08 July 2023. It's difficult to believe that it is just over 12 months since we planted this garden.  We had been advised that we might lose up to 20% of the plants, hence the overplanting but, as you can see, everything is blooming and we will have do some hard cutting back this autumn. The garden is being enjoyed by patients, staff and visitors. We are constantly receiving compliments when we are on site weeding, watering and tidying up the beds. It is very rewarding to know how much our hard work is appreciated.  

The mental health talk which was held at Gwaenysgor Village Hall was very successful. Neville Eden, a volunteer with the Papyrus Charity UK, gave a moving talk and Fiona Wynne Jones gave a practical demonstration of Mindfulness which was very calming. Although, the intention primarily was to raise awareness of mental health we also raised just over £100.00 for the Papyrus Charity UK.

3 E’s of Education Empowerment and Enabling for women and their communities Regional President Susan has invited all clubs (Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral) to participate with an entry for the Barbara Dixon Award 2023. It has to be a current club project demonstrating  the 3 E’s of Education Empowerment and Enabling for women and their communities. The brief is wide to encourage as many clubs as possible to take part and be able to show off the work they do.  Criteria: The project responds to an identified need, local, national or international. There are clear SMART objectives – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time related. It demonstrates partnership with other agencies where possible. It demonstrates links to SDGs and 5 P’s. The display will clearly communicate the steps taken to bring the project to fruition. Judging will be at The Regional Day at the Queens

President Shirley Whiteway: 2023 - 2024 The Salvation Army, Rhyl A number of events including a garden party, cheese & wine evening and a concert collectively raised a total of £4,000.  The Concert  on 1st December at St. Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan  resounded with music and song from both the Cor Meibion Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir and The Salvation Army Rhyl. Papyrus UK Gave a talk on the work of the organisation and a donation of £500 was presented to them. Presentation of Cheque to The Salvation Army, Rhyl             President Barbara Roberts: 2022 - 2023 North Wales Superkids A Bring & Buy Sale and an Afternoon Tea was organised which raised £1,200 to enable the charity to purchase Christmas presents for underprivileged children. A Cheese & Wine evening was also held in aid of Masaka Girls School Dormitory Project, Uganda Donations

New  Programme Action Barbara Dixon Award  Theme 2022  -  Climate Change Act Now  from Local to Global This was the first year in which the award was launched and SI Rhyl & District club won it for our Environmental Project work which included:- Bee Project Past President Sylvia receives the Award on behalf of Club Worked with the Welsh and Conwy Beekeeping Associations to develop a project to promote the importance of Honey Bees to the environment and food chain. Visited 10/12 schools every year for 9 years delivering hands-on ‘Bring Back the Bees’ workshops and making presentations to local community groups Funded an Apiary in a school in Uganda to help them to learn about bees and sell honey to raise funds towards the building of a dormitory for girls which SI Rhyl & District is continuing to support financially Set up a club