South West & Channel Islands 75th AGM & Conference – “Proper Job”
Regional President Kay Turner supported by the hosted a very successful meeting in Cornwall on 20th June. at Kingsley Village Fraddon.
The 75 delegates heard from some local Inspirational Women
Daphne Skinnard a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County opened the Conference. International Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe OBE was the principal speaker. Other speakers were Charlotte Davies, Barrister, mother of two young children, commended in the Women in Business awards for her two companies one with a design for a baby safety product and one a smart-phone app. Pauline Giles is a breast cancer survivor who founded the Charity “Bosum Buddies”. She visits schools to talk to girls about Breast Cancer. Her mission is to educate girls so that they know how to check themselves, not frighten them but empower them and keep them safe. Laura Smit is the team leader for the local Independent Domestic Violence Advocate service and helped launch REACH a service which offers advice support and referral for all victims and survivors of domestic abuse living in Cornwall.
Heather Bishop a Founder Member of SI St Austell read the Vision & Mission statement of SI. During the AGM SI Barnstaple received the Ellen Brawn Award for Programme action with SI St Austell as runners up.
Pat Wakeford a club member spoke out the club Bursary which began after the clubs 10th Anniversary. After a delicious lunch provided by Chef Henk De Villiers Ferreira, delegates received some self defence tips from James Turner (Kay’s son a Martial Arts expert) with audience participation. Finally we were entertained by the ladies of Champagne Cornwall Chorus based in Par.
The Conference was the central part of a Friendship weekend, which included a visit to the Shipwreck Centre in Charlestown, followed by supper at the Bosuns Diner on Friday night. A pasty and strawberry and clotted cream supper overlooking St Austell Bay at Porthpean Golf Club was held on Saturday night. Elvis popped in to entertain. On Sunday visitors were invited to visit the internationally famous Pine Lodge Gardens and lunch al fresco in the beautiful garden of club Member Libby Moore and the sun shone.
See our Facebook page for lots of photos of the weekend
Also in June the Club said farewell to Joy Brumby a Past President and Honorary member of the club. She had lived bravely and cheerfully with MS for many years. Presidents Maggie & Jane with their husbands travelled to Guernsey for the weekend in late June. Region President Kay and her husband Andrew were guests of the Guernsey club. Meanwhile back in St Austell other members ran the Soroptimist raffle at the Hospital fete.