The speaker at our May Dinner Meeting was Caroline Marshall, daughter of Joint President Barbara. Caroline spoke enthusiastically and knowledgeably about the other services and projects that Amazon deliver. These included their Amazon Web Services (AWS), their satellite network which provides access to the internet for users in remotes areas and their sustainability projects. In the UK they have a thriving STEM project for children and adults (https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/impact/community/stem-education) and also provide upskilling and training options and grants (https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/workplace/upskilling) The presentation included the many aspects of the Amazon business, how it got its name, and its humble beginnings in his family garage selling books from a family garage to becoming the global company it is today. Members were amazed about the different areas, services and projects Amazon are involved in and admired its commitment to staff training and innovation.

We started our new Presidential year with speakers from the President’s chosen charities The Tamworth Family Hubs and Shining Starz. The Family Hubs support families and children, while Shining Starz provides addition support for SEND children.   Both Kerry Heath from Tamworth Family Hubs and Melissa Welsby spoke passionately about the work that they do and how it makes such a difference to families, children and young people.       For more information about Tamworth Family Hubs please go to:- https://www.staffordshireconnects.info/kb5/staffordshire/directory/service.page?id=M78U6XBEwk0 or visit their Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/Tamworthfamilyhub/ For more information about Shining Starz please goto:- https://www.staffordshireconnects.info/kb5/staffordshire/directory/service.page?id=H115tJsAwIc or visit their Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/p/SMDA-Shining-Stars-100071965777358/

SI Tamworth held their 78th AGM on 9th April 2026. Unfortunately our Madam President Gill Holmes was ill, so Past President Ally Allerson did the honours of the change of insignia. We would like to welcome our new team of presidents: Christine Arrowsmith, Gillian Pallet and Barbara Tarpey We look forward to their year ahead. Their strap-line is “Children are our future”. It was a wonderful evening filled with kindness and friendship.

SI Tamworth have been busy collecting for our local foodbank. In April, Programme Action Lead, Liz Bates and Chris dropped the collected to items off to the Tamworth Foodbank ( https://www.facebook.com/TamworthFoodbankUK )

SI Tamworth enjoyed a a very interesting talk at their March dinner meeting.   They were joined by Yvonne Zena Stone, who spoke about Florence Nightingale and her links to Atherstone. They talk was informative and enjoyable and we all learnt a great deal about her life.

SI Tamworth would like to congratulate Chris Fulwell who has been a member for 25 years. That is an outstanding achievement and we thank you for your service.  

Tamworth Soroptimists hosted an Afternoon Tea where guests enjoyed food and friendship and raised over £600 for The Eve Appeal and their other nominated local charities. The Eve Appeal, the President’s nominated charity, raises funds for research and raises awareness of gynaecological cancers. Monies raised at this and other SI Tamworth events throughout the year will be distributed to their charities at their Charter Dinner and cheque giving in June.

To celebrate International Women’s Day members of SI Tamworth gave out over 700 bunches of daffodils to ladies and girls. We had a wonderful day filled with kindness and smiles. Thanks go to Asda, Tamworth for letting us use the foyer and to Morrisons, Tamworth for a large donation of daffodils. Thanks to the generosity of the general public, we received donations totalling £90.

At our February dinner meeting we had a wonderful and informative talk by Dr Nicci Mcleod from Aston University. Her talk was about Forensic Linguistics which included her sharing with us examples of when she and her colleagues had helped the police solve criminal cases including murder. Her fascinating presentation opened our eyes to a whole new aspect of Forensic work and was much appreciated. Dr Nicci Macleod also has a engrossing podcast called Writing wrongs. It is a podcast from the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics.

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.