In 2021 we planted three cherry trees for the Soroptimist International centenary. We worked with the local council to get them planted, at Lee-on-the-Solent Recreation Ground. There is a dedication plaque for past members of the club. Two years on, the trees are well established and full of spring blossom. We are very pleased with their progress and ensure we visit them regularly!
Some club members supported the Bishops Waltham in Bloom quiz on 27 January 2023. The last time they had managed to host a quiz in person was in 2020 as shown in the photograph. This year there were 25 tables in all and 2 were made up Soroptimist club members and friends/family. One of the teams, called The Optimists, finished in third place overall. After a tentative start with the TV theme tune round, the team improved throughout the evening, scoring a perfect 20 points on the Cryptic British Towns round and 19 for the Dingbats during supper. Congratulations all round!
Club member Alison had some material left over from all her quilting projects! So of course she made the scraps up into something beautiful – these small quilts for the neo-natal units in Queen Alexandra hospital Portsmouth, and Princess Anne hospital Southampton. She makes about 2-3 each month, and donates them via the Meon Valley quilting group.
We host the local Re-engage groups to tea in the summer, and we don’t forget them at Christmas either. The club donates money to provide some goodies in a festive bag for each member of the group. This year there are 12 recipients. The goodie bags have now been packed and are were distributed today. The contents of each bag, as shown in the picture, are a pot of jam, hand cream, biscuits, sweets and a wedge of homemade Christmas cake, with a card from all of us. We wish all the recipients a merry Christmas.
In association with sister Soroptimists from Winchester, we will be lighting up the Spinnaker Tower in orange on Monday 28 November to create awareness of the campaign to end Domestic Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG). Soroptimist International ‘Orange the World’ campaign runs from 25 November, which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. That date was originally White Ribbon Day, when men and boys declared that they would never commit, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women. From that date, there follows 16 days of Activism, which ends on 10 December, UN Human Rights Day. Dame Vera Baird, former Victims’ Commissioner with whom we have worked closely on Domestic Abuse courts said, “Great that the wonderful Soroptimists support this campaign and raise awareness of domestic abuse against women and girls. With education for boys and girls and a wider
SI San Fernando asked for contributions to their 60th anniversary this month. They were compiling a quilt, made up of Peace Patches from other clubs. Most managed to hand these over in person at the Belfast conference. Unfortunately the Solent East club did not have delegates there. So, we have posted our Peace Patch direct to the Caribbean, and hope it has made it there in time for the SI San Fernando celebrations. Our club contribution was made by Alison, who designed and stitched a beautiful patch. It features our club logo and a white dove in the centre, with a background of our local landscape colours of land, beach, sea and sky. When all the patches are combined together, the finished quilt will be displayed at the SI Convention 2023 in Dublin. We look forward to seeing the whole picture, and meeting some of
The club may not have a business meeting over the summer, but we do get together at Carolyne’s for our annual BBQ! There was plenty of gorgeous food on offer, and we sat in her garden in the summer sunshine. Actually, most of us wore hats for protection, but it was lovely to be able to sit outside.
In July the club has traditionally gone out somewhere rather than invite a speaker to our meeting. This year the chosen venue was Warsash, on the shores of the Hamble. The walk along the shore, past the Pink Ferry (across to Hamble-le-Rice), was very pleasant on a warm summer evening. Then 16 club members and spouses convened at the Rising Sun for supper.
The Fareham Vannes Twinning Association hold regular events to celebrate the ongoing connection between the towns. In May Fareham hosted a weekend of events, including a dinner held at Avenue 141 in Fareham College. It was a French-themed event, billed as a Soiree Francaise! The picture shows the table made up of members and guests of the Soroptimist club.
When the “Walk 100 miles in April” challenge was launched, club member Jacky knew that she would be taking part with her dog, Amber. It was all in support of the Children on the Edge charity. Jacky says: “Children on the Edge is probably my favourite charity. They work in a really empowering way with marginalised children; the UK office is local to me in Chichester. They grew out of Anita Roddick’s (The Body Shop founder) early work with Romanian orphans and are still supported, hugely, by The Body Shop, and by local chocolate producers Montezuma.“ She and Amber thoroughly enjoyed their walks, met their target of 100 miles with a day to spare, and were delighted with the support from family & friends. All this means that they have currently raised over £700, including £130 from fellow Soroptimists. Donations are still welcome!
