SIGBI Soroptimists at the renovated Hougoumont Chapel. Left to right: Jackie de Trafford, SI Poole; Joan Lunt, SI Morecambe & Heysham; Elspeth Robinson, SI Darlington; Cath Turner, SI Leeds.
The Battle of Waterloo, on 18 June 1815, ended over 20 years of conflict in Europe and heralded over 50 years of peace. The bicentenary of the Battle, celebrated in various ways across Europe, was the occasion to remember those who died as well as the significance of the Battle.
The bicentenary also provided an opportunity for Soroptimists from across Europe to meet in Belgium, thanks to the wonderful initiative of SI Val Brabant-Waterloo.
In 2007, SI Val Brabant-Waterloo, under the auspices of the SI Europe project to foster Peace by protecting the local heritage, launched an initiative to restore the Hougoumont Chapel on the Waterloo battlefield. SI Belgium supported the Club and provided funding. The project was also awarded a prize by SI Europe, providing further funding, and the restored Chapel was inaugurated in 2008. A plaque was erected, showing the involvement of Soroptimists in the restoration, and the Chapel is now used by schools and other groups as a meeting place to discuss the dangers of war, and as a ‘haven of peace’.
Hougoumont Chapel after the Battle of Waterloo
The Bicentenary celebrations coincided with the 20th anniversary of SI Val Brabant-Waterloo, and the Club decided to link the two events. Thus it was that on 19-20 June 2015 a host of Soroptimists assembled on the Waterloo battlefield. There were representatives from seven countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland, as well as the UK). We had diverse links with SI Val Brabant-Waterloo. SI Thames Valley responded to SI Val Brabant’s Friendship Link request when they were first chartered, and supported their funding of the Chapel at Hougomont. SI Clairefontaine (Luxembourg) and SI Vannes (France) also have Friendship Links with SI Val Brabant-Waterloo.
Truly international, from left to right: Gudrun Esken, SI Soest (Germany); Sue Fortescue, SI Poole; Nicole Yernaux, SI Val Brabant-Waterloo (Belgium); Sigrid Kuck, SI Soest (Germany); Thérèse Peeters, SI Val Brabant-Waterloo; Christiane Braeckman (SI Val Brabant-Waterloo)
Two of the British Soroptimists, Lesley Massingham and myself, had been members of SI Val Brabant-Waterloo for several years. Lesley is now a member of SI Biarritz-Côte Basque, and a German member of that Club, Anna Dreibholz, also attended, along with Nicole Regamey, Vice President for the south west of SI France. I belong to SI Poole, but have also been a member of SI Darlington – who have a Friendship Link with SI Soest (Germany) – hence the presence of the German Soroptimists.
We had an intense and very enjoyable programme of visiting the bivouacs on the Battlefield, viewing the renovated Hougoumont Chapel & Farm, attending the Gala Dinner for SI Val Brabant-Waterloo’s 20th anniversary, lunching at the home of one of the Club members whose property is on the Battlefield and – last but not least, attending the re-enactment of part of the Battle.
SI Poole also met their Friendship Link, SI Brussels Iris to view an exhibition of the works of Chagall and have an aperitif and dinner together. A lunch was also arranged by SI Bruxelles Sablon.
Flying the flag at the re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo, left to right: Jackie de Trafford, SI Poole; Harry Turner, Cath Turner, SI Leeds; Sue Fortescue, SI Poole
I am sure that I am not alone in saying that, for me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of those few days was the opportunity to meet up with Soroptimists friends, past, present, and future, and to exchange news about our projects. It was a reminder that our Friendship Links are the ‘glue’ that binds us together as a truly international organisation – and that we must cherish and foster those Friendship Links.
Sue Fortescue
SI Poole
Ex-member SI Val Brabant-Waterloo