SI Sevenoaks President Margaret Crabtree welcomed 35 members and guests to her President’s lunch on Tuesday 18th March at the Nizels Golf Club near Sevenoaks.  Our special guests were Region President Sue Edgar, who gave us a delightful speech, and Cllr Libby Ancrum, Mayor of Sevenoaks, who proposed the toast to Soroptimist International of Sevenoaks.  We enjoyed a very good three course meal and very good company too!  Our first picture shows SI Sevenoaks President Margaret Crabtree, SISEE Region President Sue Edgar and Sevenoaks Town Mayor Cllr Libby Ancrum.  Among the company were two special guests, Orwell and Rhubarb, and our second picture shows Jo Skewes with Orwell, President Margaret Crabtree and Irene Collins with Rhubarb! Sandie Higgs PAO, SI Sevenoaks”

Five members of SI Sevenoaks attended the International Women’s Day Lunch in Sevenoaks on 7th March hosted by Sevenoaks Town Mayor Cllr Libby Ancrum. Guests from the community were invited to attend, each paying for themselves and a young person from the local area.  We had three inspiring speakers on the topics of women’s football, the introduction of PE instruction to girls and ways to tackle the menopause.  It was great to meet other local women and especially the students. Pictured just after the event are, from left, SI members Linda Larter (Sevenoaks Town Clerk), Wendy Metcalf  (Club Treasurer) Margaret Crabtree (Club President) Cllr Dr Merilyn Canet, Sandie Higgs (Club PA and Membership), together with Cllr Libby Ancrum, (Sevenoaks Town Mayor). Sandie Higgs PAO, SI Sevenoaks

Stephanie Harrison very kindly shared with me the article she wrote about our wonderful club member Shirley Brigham and our important Trauma Bear project for the mysevenoakscommunity.com  website. Well done to Shirley – an amazing effort for such a worthwhile cause. Penelope Robbins Past President & Regional Programme Officer SI Sevenoaks https://mysevenoakscommunity.com/a-stitch-of-hope-teddy-bears-for-traumatised-children/ A Stitch Of Hope: Teddy Bears For Traumatised Children We’ve uncovered another unsung hero from Sevenoaks, quietly and selflessly working to bring comfort and joy to those in need. As is so often the case with such remarkable individuals, they shy away from recognition, more focused on the good they can do than any desire for praise or glory… but we would like to acknowledge their good deeds by sharing with you all! At 89 years old, Shirley is a dedicated member of the Sevenoaks Soroptimists group and has spent the last four years hand-knitting ‘trauma

SI Sevenoaks enjoyed another friendly chat over a nice cup of coffee at our local M&S Café Revive on Tuesday 25th February as part of our ongoing campaign to Orange the World.  6 members and 2 guests came along and we were able to speak to other café users and explain about our efforts to draw attention to the problem of Violence Against Women and Girls.  Pictured from left to right are guest Carole, members Penny, Pat, Vicky, Wendy, Sandie, President Margaret and guest Juliette. Sandie Higgs Programme Officer SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks held their annual Charity Quiz night at St Luke’s Hall in Sevenoaks on Saturday 22nd February.  A lively and slightly competitive time was had by all with 10 teams competing including 2 guide dogs!  The sum of £940 was raised for President Margaret Crabtree’s chosen charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Margaret is pictured here, second left, presenting the prizes to the winners.  This was our Sevenoaks Town Mayor, Councillor Libby Ancrum’s team – very well done to them!  Cllr Libby is next to Margaret, each with their smart chains of office!  A big thank you to all the helpers for making the event such a success! Sandie Higgs Programme Officer SI Sevenoaks

SI Sevenoaks were very happy to be able to meet in person for their meeting on Tuesday 11th February and were delighted to welcome 4 guests – hopefully soon to be new members!  We had a most informative talk from Professor Ronald Denney, a noted Forensic Scientist, which was really interesting and engaging.    http://forensics-denney.co.uk/Home.html At the end of the meeting President Margaret made a small presentation to member Kathy, pictured in the striped top, as she is getting married this week!  We wish Kathy all the best! Sandie Higgs Programme Officer SI Sevenoaks

“SI Sevenoaks have been collecting clothing for the Gatwick Detainees for a number of years now.  We have managed to gather a good quantity of items, including several warm jackets and coats, and these were delivered in 5 bags to former member Beverley who will take them to Gatwick.  Beverley said a “big thank you – the items will be put to good use – and can we please continue to collect!”   Our photo shows the clothing ready for packing. Sandie Higgs Programme Officer SI Sevenoaks

Walk and Talk Event On Thursday 6th February there was a Walk and Talk event in Sevenoaks promoting the on-going safety campaign for women and girls. The Soroptomists were invited to join PC Tom Costin, the Community Safety Unit and many community safety officers as well as the British Transport Police and members of the DAVSS charity. All involved were helping to raise awareness to stop violence against women and girls. I had a nice walk and talk with PC Clare in the town. The bitterly cold weather was not dampening our spirits as we met many people who were happy to answer confidential surveys of how safe women and girls feel in their local area. Most people did feel safe in Sevenoaks and other neighbouring areas. Many agreed they would feel safer with more lighting on the streets at night and regular patrols regarding

Teddies get around! Soroptimist International  of Great Britain and Ireland [SIGBI] celebrated 100 years of service in 2021 launching challenges  to members which included knitting 100 Teddy Bears for traumatised children. SI Sevenoaks  club responded with great fervour. Teddies were distributed to Kent and Sussex Police who used the bears as comforters when interviewing traumatised children. Women’s refuges, Refugee organisations and the Alzheimer’s society also welcomed the bears as a comforting aid. For two years they have been donated to the Charles Dickens Primary School, Southwark which serves two housing estates in a deprived area. Teachers had noted  that the last two intakes of children were very behind with their literacy skills due to  covid and lock down. Each child was given their own bear and encouraged to have conversations with them  also playing with them with other children improving literacy skills and self confidence.