SI Sevenoaks gathered for another Orange the World coffee morning to continue the quest to highlight the problem of violence against women and girls in our area.  This time, 25th June, we gathered at a new venue for us, Kake & Kocktail on St John’s Hill, Sevenoaks.  The members, as pictured, were given a warm welcome by the owner who, as a retired police officer, knew all about the VAWG and Ask for Angela projects.  We had an enjoyable time and a good chance to chat! Kathy Jordan Joint Programme Action Officer SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks held a Day of Activism at President Margaret’s lovely home in Sevenoaks to mark the SIGBI date of Saturday 12th July.  Twelve members met to look back at photo albums dating back to the 1930s and to make plans for the coming months to continue the programme action work and fundraising efforts.  We had a collection and raised £52 for President Margaret’s next charity – to be revealed at our next club meeting in September. Sandie Higgs Joint Programme Action Officer SI Sevenoaks

“The month of July has come and it’s always a joy to organise SI Sevenoaks annual Summer Lunch. The conservatory roof open, geraniums in bloom and cheerful chatter! Many thanks to The Chaser in Shipbourne for wonderful meals and of course members good company”. Penelope Robbins Past President SI Sevenoaks                

SI Sevenoaks are very proud of member Margaret Nicholson, who has been presented with the Superstar 2025 Award by The Otford Society.  This is in recognition of the fantastic work she has done over many years supporting the elderly members of the community through the Otford Lunch Club.  The Otford Society state in their newsletter “Many congratulations Margaret and thank you for your outstanding support and kindness!  Margaret is shown in our picture. Sandie Higgs PAO, SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks were delighted to welcome their newest member, Eleanor Burns, to the club at our May meeting.   Pictured are Club President Margaret Crabtree, Eleanor Burns and mentor Tracey Kemp.  We are now up to 25 members, which is great! Sandie Higgs Membership Officer SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks put in a team to support Specsavers in Sevenoaks who held a quiz in aid of Guide Dogs UK.This is the same charity that SI Sevenoaks’ President Margaret Crabtree has chosen for the year, so we were keen to support them, particularly as Specsavers had sent a team to our quiz earlier in the year. We had a very enjoyable time, and successful too, as our team came out on top! The prize money of £80 has gone straight into our collection for Guide Dogs UK, so all good! Pictured in action are Leoni, Susan and Graham, guests, SI members Sandie Higgs, President Margaret Crabtree and Tina Fenner, and guest Harry completing the line-up. Quizmaster Ellie Bigwood is pictured with us on the stage for the presentation. Sandie Higgs PAO, SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks held another very successful Orange the World event at the Cornflower Café in the Coblands Garden Centre near Riverhead. 16 members, past members and friends met at the café to enjoy coffee, tea and some delicious cake and we had a lovely chat at the same time,there is not always time for that at our busy meetings! We were able to talk to other café users and hand out leaflets. We welcomed Maxine Quinton, who works for Sevenoaks District Council on health and safety matters in the area.  She provided us with items to hand out to protect people from having their drinks spiked.  This has been a very interesting topic for us with input from the last Region meeting and at our last Orange the World event. We are happy to report that one of our guests, Eleanor, is going to join

SI Sevenoaks held a Swap for Spring event at Sandie’s  together with a tombola and also served a light lunch to our guests. 37 people attended, including past members, some from a distance, members from our nearby clubs at Bromley and Tunbridge Wells and friends and neighbours from the Sevenoaks area. We were lucky to receive some beautiful dresses, tops and jackets, and are very grateful to members and friends who so kindly donated these.  We welcomed Irene and gorgeous Rhubarb, her puppy in training for Guide Dogs and as it was a sunny day we were able to sit in the garden. Our most senior guest was delightful May,98, who was very pleased with the new handbag she bought! We have been able to invite others to view the clothes subsequently, and to date the amount raised is £644.00 for President Margaret’s chosen charity,

SI Sevenoaks had a very happy and successful meeting on Tuesday 8th April, which started with a nice talk from SI SEE Region President Sue Edgar.  Sue came to our President’s lunch last month and after this visit we really feel that we know her and want to keep in touch.  The evening continued with our AGM confirming the team going forward under President Margaret Crabtree’s inspiring leadership with Kathy Jordan joining as co Programme Officer.  This was followed by the enrolment of four new members!  We are so thrilled to welcome them to our club.  Pictured are, from left: mentor Sandie Higgs with Lyn Snowden, Julie Walder, mentor Tracey Kemp, President Margaret Crabtree, Carole Morrisson, Kerry Locke and mentor Penny Robbins.  (Tracey is mentoring both Julie and Carole)  This was the first time we introduced mentors for our new members and we are sure

“Eleven members and guests enjoyed a lunch time drink and snacks when they met at Wetherspoons The Sennockian in Sevenoaks on Tuesday 25th March.  Some of the members had just completed a two hour gardening stint on Sevenoaks Vine so were glad of the chance to relax!  We are still doing our best to Orange the World, speaking to other pub users about the problems of Violence Against Women and Girls.  For this session Club Secretary Vicky Tibbits showed some leaflets about spiking together with gadgets to push into bottles to prevent tampering.  We had heard a very powerful talk from Dawn Dines at the March South East Region meeting and were keen to pass the information on to other members and guests”. Sandie Higgs Programme Officer, SI Sevenoaks