As part of the Club’s effort to develop in challenging times, we decided to change our name from the rather cumbersome SI Gosport, Fareham and District to SI Solent East.We felt that this better reflected the area that we draw our membership from.
As is the Soroptimist way – this means a party!
So on the 28th April we gathered at Port House in Port Solent for our event, this was also to publicise our theme of ‘water’. This will form the focus for the Club’s activities for the next few years at least.
The UN has defined a number of Sustainable Development Goals and number 6 is Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300
Anyway back to the party – Tracy was our very capable host who managed to keep Ian Limb from Portsmouth Water from talking past his allotted time and kept everyone informed about when more food and drink would be served (very important).
Our first speaker was Ian who was asked not to talk about where our tap water comes from and instead gave us some highlights from Portsmouth Water’s history including beer, badgers and the Romans. He is a firm believer in education both here and abroad about water and how lucky we are to have clean water on tap.
Our second speaker was Bianca Carr who has recently started a campaign to highlight the growing problems caused by single use and throw away plastics. Her group is called The Final Straw Solent and as well as raising awareness and getting local businesses to stop giving out plastic straws, she has started to organise regular beach cleans.
SI Southern England regional President Danny Sparkes, complete with a pirate hat, rounded off the formal proceedings with the customary toast and, continuing the watery theme, a few facts about pirates.
We then chatted, exchanged ideas and looked through the Club’s old photo albums with our friends.
We would like to thank Nikki and the staff at the Port House http://theporthouse.org/ for very enjoyable event.
*In the photo, from left, Isobel Smith, SIGBI vice president, Margaret Smith, acting president, Danny Sparkes, regional president, Ian Limb, Portsmouth Water, Bianca Carr, The Final Straw Solent, and Tracy Gardiner, MC.