Club members of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead wrapped Christmas presents for all the women at their local refuge. Each present consisted of a donated handbag which they packed full of pocket sized useful items. These included practical things such as lip-gloss, wet wipes, sewing kits, shampoo, conditioner, pens and of course chocolates!

Members of the club got together with 1200 other Soroptimists to participate in the annual Federation Conference from 26h to 28th October. There were many inspiring speakers including Mandy Hickson one of the very few female fighter pilots and Dame Katherine Grainger the most decorated female Olympian.  These two women admirably related to the conference theme of ‘Step Up and Lead the Way’.  There were sessions on Violence against Women and Modern Slavery and Trafficking – areas where many clubs are working.  In the final session Past President Ann Hodgson handed over to Federation President Sue Biggs who invited all members to Liverpool to celebrate the 84th Conference in October 2018.

Members and friends were delighted to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of the the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead as special guests when they held their annual garden party on Sunday 23rd July.  Over 50 attended the lunch in aid of the Thames Valley Hospice and the fund raising team were delighted that £700 was raised during the afternoon.  Although the weather started overcast with a hint of rain, the sun did appear so everyone was able to enjoy their delicious lunch al fresco. The photograph shows Mrs Lenton being presented with flowers by member Sylvia Reynolds with hosts Pat and David Oldcorn in the background.

Club members were delighted that the newly appointed Mayor of Slough, Councillor Ishrat Shah, was able to attend the AGM of Slough Child Contact Centre  on  Tuesday 13th June 2017.  The Centre is Supported by the Club and constitutes the principal area of programme action with seven volunteers on duty on the first and third Saturdays of each month.  The mayor kindly agreed to present the long service awards to two members of the club.  Liezl Butten gave a very informative presentation about the work of CAFCASS. Left to Right Evelyn Hatch (Chairman), Liezl Butten (CAFCASS and guest speaker at this meeting), Councillor Ishrat Shah (Mayor of Slough), Judy Nixon (Volunteer with NACCC certificate for five years voluntary service), Marilyn Brown (Volunteer with NACCC certificate for ten years voluntary service).

Margaret Clark, Assistant Programme Director Advocacy, visited the club at the February meeting.  She spoke about Advocacy and development, speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves (disabled, disadvantaged etc). The work is carried out through training, workshops and mentoring, enabling others to follow the pathway.  She demonstrated the importance of Lobbying on Women’s rights etc especially MP’s.  She suggested that we remember to lobby our local MPs though not in a party political way.  It is very useful to ask the Parliament Outreach Service to speak to the club. There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals issued by the UN in 8 Programme Areas aiming to eliminate poverty. It is important that Clubs report their activities because the Consultative Status at the UN is up for discussion in June.  Margaret is pictured with Judy Nixon and the Toilet Twinning Certificate which arrived recently following our fund raising for the