Lostwithiel History Walk Members of SI St Austell and District, Soroptimisters and a guest enjoyed a guided historical walk and talk in the beautiful Cornish town of Lostwithiel learning about the significant industrial mining history of the town. This was led by our brilliant guide Derrek. Beautiful ‘Indian summer’ weather enhanced the day. This was followed by a delicious lunch at The Mess Room.

Shaping a Sustainable Future: Pioneering Research and Empowering Action Symposium Soroptimist Rowena Castillo-Nicholls had a lovely day at the “Shaping a Sustainable Future: Pioneering Research and Empowering Action Symposium” at the University of Exeter today, Tuesday, 10 September 2024 from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Rowena said, “the excellent talk and presentation of all the brilliant speakers are so inspiring“. Rowena find this interesting that’s why she took a leave from work to attend this symposium. Rowena said, “as a Soroptimist, we have the 5Ps and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that we have been working to achieve and as a Sustainability Champion, I want to know what I can do and contribute on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for myself, community, work place, organisation and planet earth“. Programme: Hosted by Professor Brendan Godley and Professor Camille Bonneaud, Directors of the Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability and

Free Books Giveaway at Lanlivery Vintage Rally and Country Fair In celebration of UNESCO’s International Literacy Day, Soroptimist International St Austell and District have given away hundreds of “FREE BOOKS” to the community at Lanlivery Vintage Rally and Country Fair on Saturday, 7 September 2024. Each year, September 8th, marks UNESCO’s International Literacy Day, raising awareness globally on the issues surrounding adult and child literacy. First held in 1966 and now part of the UN’s sustainable development goals program adopted in 2015, International Literacy day highlights the changes and improvements being made worldwide in literacy development. Soroptimists Libby Moore, Rowena Castillo-Nicholls, Heather George and Ailie Henry Soroptimists Libby Moore, Ailie Henry, Rowena Castillo-Nicholls and Heather George

Charlestown Girls Football Team Joint President Kay joined fellow members, Brenda, Liz, Barbara and Libby at St Mewan Park where new football kits were presented to the Charlestown Girls Football Team. The new season kit is sponsored by the St Austell Soroptimist Club, funded by a legacy left by Shirley Mathieson, a past member, who assisted in founding the Club in 1978. The team coach Ed was delighted to see the girls in their new kit and in spite of the rain, they were more than happy to go on the pitch for a photocall! Soroptimist members look forward to watching the girls play and wish them well for the new season.

September 2024 Club Meeting A Red Letter Day for SI St Austell and District Joint President Kay opened the September Club Meeting and welcomed members back from the summer break. A true Cornish welcome was extended to our guest, Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Federation President, Ruth Healey. Tonight’s agenda included an update on STEM bursaries, a dynamic ‘Programme Action’ presentation from Claire as well as an informative talk on SIGBI from President Ruth. A delicious Cornish Cream Tea was served by the Porthpean Golf Club staff and the visitors book was signed by our guest and all members. A presentation of Cornish gifts was made to our SIGBI President and a special photo of our most senior member, Mary Weston, was taken before Ruth and fellow SI Surrey Hills member, Alison Cramer, travelled back to Devon. Joint President Kay wished President Ruth

August Executive Committee Meeting We had a successful and productive Executive Committee Meeting hosted by President Kay Turner. Of course, in every meeting coffee, tea, cakes and fruits is always part of the agenda. Mersedeh Proctor (Hon Secretary), Jackey Stagg (Chair of Social and Fundraising Committee), Jeanette Gay (acting Immediate Past President), Kay Turner (Joint President), Diane Walker (Joint President), Rowena Castillo-Nicholls (Membership and Communications Officer, Chair of Membership, Communications and Marketing Committee) and Catherine Hannaford (Vice President), Libby Moore (Hon Treasurer – not in photo) and Claire Penellum (GDPR and Safeguarding Officer, Chair of Programme Action and Stem Committee: Claire Penellum – not in photo) Executive Committee: Rowena Castillo-Nicholl,  Catherine Hannaford, Kay Turner (Joint President), Diane Walker (Joint President), Mersedeh Proctor, Jackey Stagg and Jeanette Gay (acting Immediate Past President) Joint Presidents Kay Turner and Diane Walker had presented acting Immediate Past President Jeanette