Members attended the Region meeting in Taunton and 25th marked the start of the 16 days of Activism  and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Once again the members formed a team to invite shoppers at Tesco St Austell to donate items for our local Women’s Refuges. President Jill joined others in the Region at Weston super Mare in drawing attention to Gender Based Violence at a. Railing Against Abuse event

We welcomed another new member, Mersedeh Proctor and presented Ellie Greenwood (apprentice carpenter) with the current Elisabeth Millard Bursary of £500 to aid with the costs of her studies. Soroptimist Diane ran the London Marathon members met up to enjoy a Brilliant Breakfast in aid of The Princes Trust’s project to help disadvantaged young women, October 22nd  was the annual Autumn Fayre which raised over £2100 for the charity Look Good Feel Better, most of the club were involved with the various stalls and kitchen during the day. We have also supported local foodbanks with a donation of £200. At the end of the month 18 club members including 6 first timers attended the SIGBI Federation Conference in Belfast. An enjoyable, interesting, illuminating and exhausting time was had by all. Friendships were formed and others cemented. Lots of shared experiences.

Always a busy month, The commeorative plaque in Jo Bennett’s flower bed was unveiled, the group sewing a Peace Square for SI Fernando Trinidad’s 60th Anniversary quilt met to plan their design. Over 2 days members gave away books at Lanlivery Rally and others attended a Region meeting in Taunton, some never made it because of traffic problems. Members took part in the MCS Beachclean and survey in Charlestown and enjoyed a guided evening walk around Charlestown with local historian, author and friend of the club Lyndon Allen.  

We welcomed Crystal Pearce as a new member, Members had a picnic and a competition at Porthpean Croquet club. Lizzie Cooper, Chief Fundraiser for Look Good Feel Better joined us at Carlyon Bay Golf Club to thank the members for raising over £7000 since 2017 and especially during all the disruptions  of the Covid pandemic. President Jill presented the Annual Carol Jennings Memorial Awards at Pondhu School to Morley Orton and Feleesha Edwards for outstanding service to the school and fellow pupils    

Members enjoyed a delicious Jubilee Tea at the home of Treasurer Libby, thanks to Jackie and Angela J. The club has an amazing 24 Past Presidents, all but one met together for lunch at Kingswood hopefully this will become an annual event. Some members met for coffee with Maria Schonauer of SI Wien Austria, she was on holiday in Newquay with her husband and  dog. Members also met to admire the poppy fields at West Pentire with supper after at The Bowgie Inn. At the end of the month 14 members attended the Region AGM in Yeovil and we were awarded the Ellen Braun Award for our Programme Action work. Most member stayed over and enjoyed the whole Friendship Weekend.

We welcomed Nour Chakroun from Inspiring Women’s Network in Truro as a speaker to our first meeting of the club year. Several members enjoyed a supper then a trip to the newly refurbished Hall for Cornwall to see Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World. For t the first time we held a stand at The Truro Mayors Charity Day, highlighting our projects, particularly the STEM Lego Challenge twinning and period poverty. 4 members undertook The Race for Life in Falmouth fundraising for Cancer Research UK.  All members were invited to take part in The Big Plastic Count for 1 week.  Members and friends  visited  the newly renovated Bodmin Jail and enjoyed a supper there after. Another first for the club, on 29th May the club hosted an Open Garden Day at Boconnoc House Lostwithiel for Cornwall Hospice Care. Members did everything from the car parking, several

At the AGM President Nettie presented cheques to Emily of the Beach Guardian Environmental Charity and a young representative from CLIC Sargent/Young lives vs Cancer. She has badged an unprecedented 13 new members during the year, a second covid affected one. President Jill only became a member 4 years ago but has become really involved in all things Soroptimist. She has chaired Programme Action, the new STEM committee, attended Region and Federation Conferences and written blogs for SIGBI on CSW and hosted Soroptimists from overseas.  She has chosen 3 Charities to support during the year –  Cornwall Hospice Care, Inspirational Women Network and Freedom Kit Bags in Nepal (tackling period poverty)