Our very talented Marie Gaitke completed her 2nd Year degree course in Graphic Design. Penny Robbins went to see her work displayed at the Tonbridge Campus. Marie had been working on a teach yourself German/English booklet. Marie is part of the West Kent College Design Volunteers programme and has been working with the Club to produce our material for events and publicity leaflets.

Members of the club visited Knole House Sevenoaks and a special highlights tour was arranged by Isobel Groves.  The tour included the Great hall, Cartoon gallery, Reynolds Room, Kings Room and The Orangery. The showrooms display Knole’s outstanding collection of textiles, furniture and paintings, which have all been enriched by recent cleaning and conservation.  This was a lovely social event which followed on from a talk given by Carol Cheeseman from Knole House volunteers group about Vita Sackville West at the clubs June monthly meeting.  

https://equaliteas.org.uk/ Club members Penny Robbins and Isobel Groves were invited to attend SI Tunbridge Wells club member Caroline Auckland’s Equalitea afternoon tea. This was a lovely event meeting new people, sharing a laugh and learning new facts whilst playing the Suffrragrette Boardgame. Of course, a sumptuous tea prepared by Caroline was partaken of.

Sevenoaks Club had a stall in conjunction with WaterAid at the Sevenoaks Town Fayre held at the Vine grounds. Beautiful weather, with many local stalls enjoyed by families and the children, loved the egg game!  

Members of the club attended the WW1 Celebration on the Vine in Sevenoaks with Mayor Roddy Hogarth and our member Lady Mayoress Mary Hogarth in attendance. Also, War Veteran Patrick Moore aged 97 who was in the Royal Engineers and at the D Day landings attended the short service and went onto the Town Fayre!

Britain in Bloom Competition, South and South East of England Region  Call for help! As a club, we pledge to respond to the UN global sustainability development goals which include quality care for the environment. 8 members of the Sevenoaks Club responded to a call for help in tidying up the town garden on the Vine in readiness for judging. The club was founded 80 years ago as a service organisation and members willingly gave of their time completing gardening tasks further enhancing the colourful garden. A highlight of the garden is the Ribbon of Poppies in commemoration of WW1. The Mayor of Sevenoaks, Roddy Hogarth visited the Vine to thank the volunteers saying this.. “The Sevenoaks entry was given a huge boost by Sevenoaks Soroptimists. It was a pleasure to see them working alongside other volunteers. I am very grateful for their support” Judging took place

Earlier in the year the annual Quiz was held and the raffle monies raised went to the Edenbridge Brownies. President, Jill, presents a cheque to Terri Scanes, Division Secretary of Knole Division Girl Guiding to help fund their travel expenses to Leeds Castle. 

We were excited to have Speaker: Rachel Starling from Water Aid at our monthly meeting as this is our President Jills chosen International charity for the year. Rachel explained there was one vision, clean water for everyone, everywhere by 2030. Under this were three goals that covered, water, sanitation and hygiene. Rachel gave a very informative presentation explaining how these goals are put into action not as a top-down but a bottom-up strategy with the local community so they take ownership and so projects would be sustainable. One way to help apart from raising funds was lobbying our local MP on the importance of water-related issues. At the end of the talk, Sandie presented on President Jill’s behalf a cheque from the club for £2,000 for Water Aid raised from the proceeds of the Quiz night and Fashion show. Rachel thanked the club for this

New member Dr Valerie Caton welcomed by Sandie Higgs Membership Officer

A fabulous Fashion Show was held at St Julians Sevenoaks in partnership with La Manica and Design A Head of Sevenoaks to mark our 80th Anniversary and to raise awareness and funds for Water Aid, our President Jill’s chosen Charity. Everyone enjoyed the evening with beautiful music from accomplished Pianist Alex Metcalfe whilst canapes and refreshments were served. Donatella from La Manica compèred the show which included 11 models and 5 changes of outfits! With over 100 ladies attending we raised in excess of £1,000. Thanks go to Sandie Higgs and Penelope Robbins for organising the event and grateful thanks to all of the local businesses that contributed to make the evening a great success. Please do take a look at the event photos click here.