“The month of July has come and it’s always a pleasure to organise SI Sevenoaks annual Summer Lunch at The Chaser Shipbourne. The event has been running since 2019.  We all had a most enjoyable time in the lovely courtyard setting with geraniums in bloom. It was such a hot day as well as umbrellas on the table they very kindly drew across the conservatory canopy to provide us with shade.  The staff were most welcoming and accommodating and the chef did a sterling job to produce such delicious fresh food on a scorcher of a day! Many thanks to The Chaser in Shipbourne for wonderful meals and of course members good company and cheerful chatter”. Penelope Robbins Past President SI Sevenoaks

13/06/26 – Scanning Electronic Microscope SI Sevenoaks members were invited to Tonbridge School for a demonstration of the Scanning Electron Microscope by Rami, Senior Biology Technician. The powerful electron microscope is capable of magnifying specimens by thousands of times and is currently on loan to Tonbridge School.  Access is being arranged for other schools and it’s hoped the microscope will inspire children across West Kent to learn more about science.  The Hitachi microscope comes from the Natural History Museum. It works by using a beam of accelerated electrons to scan images. We were shown various images from plant life to wild life which were amazing. Rami had also arranged a quiz for us to “guess the image”!

09/06/26 – Flower Arranging SI Sevenoaks had a very successful Fundraising Flower Arranging Demonstration by Susan Phillips, who is now retired but had a long and very successful flower arranging career. Tickets were £10 which included canapes and fizz and a free draw to win one of the flower arrangements. Susan gave a very interesting talk about her career whilst seamlessly putting together three very different flower arrangements. The arrangements were won by a guest, Shirley club member of SI Sevenoaks and a resident of Rockdale. They were beautiful arrangements and were well received. It was a very enjoyable event and we were pleased to see such a good turnout. We made a wonderful profit of £210 which will go to West Kent Mind which will help local people with mental health issues.

Seal Tea Set – 26 May On an extremely hot afternoon Sandie and Kathy were invited to Seal Tea Set’s monthly meeting held in Seal Library.  Sandie gave a wonderful account of what a Soroptimist means, what we do and how we raise awareness and money for various good causes. This was followed by tea and wonderful cake elegantly served on beautiful China. One lady is interested in joining the Soroptimists and we were given some lovely toys which we will take to the Sevenoaks Refuge. We were also given a generous donation of £30 towards our President’s charity this year – West Kent Mind.  We are delighted to receive it. Kathy Jordan SI Sevenoaks

Coffee and New Members Morning – 21 May On a wonderfully sunny morning, a small but select number of members and guests attended Sandie’s coffee morning in aid of our President’s charity this year – West Kent Mind. A selection of lovely cakes were consumed. The tombola and guess the weight of the handmade cake, kindly supplied by Vicky raised £120. Tracy was the lucky winner of the wonderful cake. An extra £37 was made from the follow-up plant sale. Kathy Jordan SI Sevenoaks

30/4/26 – Whilst attending the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) for the local police at the Sevenoaks District meeting held at the Sevenoaks Fire Station; SI Sevenoaks members and other attendees were treated to a tour of the Fire Station by Ben Frake, Station Leader. The Pump left on an emergency callout just as we arrived, unfortunately we did not witness them sliding down the pole as the station no longer has one!  We were encouraged to try on the clothing to witness how heavy they are. We all had an enjoyable and informative evening.  

25/4/26 – Eight ladies from SI Sevenoaks attended the monthly Orange the World Coffee morning at the Cornflower Café at Coblands Garden Centre. Raising awareness with members of the public to end gender-based violence.  Orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls. Apart from the wonderful weather, coffee and large helpings of cake we  took the opportunity to buy some spring flowers too.

SI Sevenoaks members recommenced their monthly gardening duties at the Vine on a wonderfully sunny Tuesday 21/4/26. The spring gardens looked magnificent, especially the Wisteria arch. The theme for this year’s South and South East in Bloom will be celebrating David Attenborough’s 100th birthday and the colours are blues, greens and yellows. Fingers crossed for a Gold Medal.

SI Sevenoaks have been collecting clothes and shoes to help Gatwick Detainees – one of our former members, Beverley, is a supporter of this charity.  On 14th March we delivered to Beverley a suitcase, a rucksack and a huge storage bag all full of clothes and shoes for the Gatwick Detainees. She thanked us profusely and asked us to continue collecting! Sandie Higgs SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks President Margaret Crabtree welcomed members and guests to our annual President’s lunch on Tuesday 17th March at the Nizels Golf and Country Club Hildenborough near Tonbridge. Our special guests were SEE Soroptimist Intl Region President Dr. Roxanne St Clair who spoke on the work of Commonwealth Girls Education fund;  Cllr Tony Clayton The Worshipful the Mayor of Sevenoaks Town proposed the toast to Soroptimist International of Sevenoaks; Gill Clayton Mayoress Sevenoaks Town; Pip Lawrence Interim Chief Operating Officer West Kent Mind – Presidents Margaret’s chosen charity for the year; Elizabeth Dolding Warners Solicitors South East and Past SEE Region President Sue Edgar. We were delighted that fellow Soroptimists members from Tunbridge Wells, Bromley, East Grinstead, Croydon and Folkestone were able to join us. The raffle was held in aid of West Kent Mind Sevenoaks raising the amazing sum of £355. Together with donations