12 Club members travelled to Newcastle to attend the Federation Conference held in the magnificent Sage building in Gateshead. It was an opportunity to meet with 1300 Soroptimists from through out the Federation. The Keynote speakers were Lady Marie Stubbs and Baroness Helena Kennedy. There were speakers on Endometriosis, Women & Girls projects in Comic Relief, Mary’s Meals and Karma Nirvana, a helpline supporting victims of forced marriage. We were addressed by The President of Soroptimist International, the President of the European Federation and the Soroptimist International Programme Director.  We heard about many exciting club projects and were delighted when Barnstaple from our Region won an award for their Knickers for Knowledge project. The Annual General Meeting was held on Friday afternoon. Margaret Oldroyd takes over from Pat Black as President of our Federation. The photo shows club members wearing red for a rally to

Pam Michael became a member of Soroptimist International of St Austell & District at the October meeting. She was sponsored by Soroptimists President Carole and Brenda. Members dressed in pink to recognise Breast Cancer awareness month , a pink raffle and pink quiz added to the fun. Alison Armer from NSPCC received a cheque for £330. She told the members of their latest project “Now I know” which is going into schools for 9,10 & 11 year olds. Carole & Barbara have been holding a tombola in Charlestown church hall each Wednesday for 3 months and raised £304 for Tanya’s Courage Trust. £800 has already been donated to the Trust. Members celebrated the SI Day of Friendship, marking the anniversary of the chartering on the first Soroptimist Club in Oakland California in 1921.

Once again members donned their marigolds, took their black bin bags and a clipboard  and walked along Charlestown beach for the Marine Conservation Society. Picking up other peoples rubbish, we collected  4 kilos of bottles, cans, plastic, wet wipes, sweetie & ice cream wrappers, fishing line, socks and a pair of Boxer shorts!  We certainly attracted attention from the visitors to Charlestown.

Seven club members travelled to the Region meeting in Taunton on Saturday 21st September. We were surprised and delighted to receive an award from Irene Hockin the Region Programme Action Officer as the Club who had sent in the most programme focus report forms of all the clubs in the Region, during the previous year. 107 forms have been approved from our Region and therefore appear on the International Database. Well done and thanks to Soroptimist Judith who completes and submits the forms on behalf of the club.

Friday 7th September was the Annual White River Duck Race, a joint project with the Lions. £225 was raised for WaterAid. Sunday 8th September was International Literacy Day. The club marked the day by collecting books from the members and friends and taking a stall at The Lanlivery Steam Fair. The books each had a “donated by St Austell Soroptimists “sticker inside. Almost 500 books were given away. Our thanks to the Fair organisers who did not charge us for our stall.

This meeting was held at St Blazey church. Members learnt that the Cheese & Wine evening hosted by Soroptimist Jane raised £760 , the Barbecue hosted by Soroptimist Libby raised £260 for the BIG Soroptimist Project i.e. Birthing in the Gambia. The first batch of pillowcase dresses was on display. They will be going to an orphanage in near Cape Town. Soroptimist Joan is visiting her daughter there. Joan hopes to meet up with a local Soroptimist club.