Members presented Marie Ballard with items for the Tamworth Hygiene Bank we have collected over the last couple of months. Marie has subsequently confirmed the donations weighted in at almost 47kgs and has so far been used in providing bulk packs to two schools and in individual packs for two families via CAB. This is the 6th year that members have donated to the Hygiene Bank.
At our January Dinner meeting, we welcomed guest speaker Fiona Rouse. Fiona is the operations director of PI-KEM a company that provides scientific supplies. She was President of Lichfield and Tamworth chamber of commerce from 2022 until autumn 2025 and is now honorary president. For the past 25 years she has also been involved in various aspects of the local Scout Association. Fiona spoke about her journey to becoming Co-Owner of PI-KEM, a Tamworth based company, her honour at being the first female President of Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce, and overcoming a sudden and unexpected chronic illness. Members were enthralled by her resilience in the face of such adversity.
The speakers at our October dinner meeting were Albert Wright and David Peace from The 4 Royal Observation Corps. They spoke about the history of The Royal Observation Corps and their time in it. They also spoke about the Nuclear bunkers we have in our area. It was very interesting and entertaining evening. Members of SI Tamworth also wore pink because it is breast cancer awareness month.
October is Breast Cancer awareness month and people all over the world show their support for everyone affected by breast cancer. Wearing pink is a simple but powerful way to show solidarity with those affected by breast cancer, to honour survivors, and to remember those we’ve lost. It also helps raise awareness about the importance of early detection and support. Through this gesture, we demonstrate our continued commitment to women’s health, compassion, and community awareness. SI Tamworth promoted the month by having an tombola stall to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK (https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/ ) and to provide members of the public with leaflets about breast care. Also, at our October Dinner meeting members were encouraged to wear pink.
At our September Business Meeting we presented Gill Pallett, Chris Arrowsmith and Barbara Tarpey with the President Elect regalia.
Soroptimist International Tamworth members recently celebrated their 77th Charter Lunch and cheque presentation at Drayton Manor Hotel. Club President Gill Holmes, and club members welcomed the Mayor of Tamworth, Councillor Chris Bain, and guests and friends from other local Soroptimist International Clubs and local charities. The event also provided an opportunity for SI Tamworth to distribute cheques to the local charities that they have raised money for this past year. Former President Ally Allerson presented cheques to the Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre, which is the president’s charity, and also other local charities: the Heart of Tamworth Community Project; Read Easy, St. Giles Hospice, Tamworth Have a Heart and the Soroptimist International Foundation. Other organisations that have received donations over the past year are Breast Cancer Now and SightSavers. In addition to celebrating their Charter
At our May dinner meeting, members welcomed Rasha Kassem, who gave an informative talk about fraud. She spoke about the different types of fraud, how we can recognise these and finished her speech with some tips to stay safe from fraud.
Soroptimist International Tamworth met for their first Dinner Meeting of their new year at the Drayton Manor Hotel. Following the dinner the group enjoyed an informative virtual presentation by Yvonne Marfleet, Senior Public Fundraising Officer of The Eve Appeal Charity Eve Appeal . The charity funds research and raises awareness of gynaecological cancers and also runs an Ask Eve gynaecological health information service. The service run by trained nurses helps anyone worried about any unusual symptoms, those that have been diagnosed or people worried about a friend or relative who has been diagnosed. The Eve Appeal has been chosen by incoming President Gill to be the President’s Charity to receive a portion of monies raised by SI Tamworth from April 2025 until the end March 2026. Other monies raised will be distributed to help support selected local charities that help women and girls.
