At our November Business meeting, members made vows for COP26. These were written on paper leaves and hung onto a tree. The vows are listed below.   SI Tamworth COP26 vows Use a reusable fruit and veg bag when shopping in the supermarket. One vegetarian meal a week. Do one load of washing less per week. Use no plastic bags. Don’t use non degradable wipes. Only boil just what I need for a cup of tea, not a full kettle. Buy a reusable coffee mug for my takeaway coffees. 2 veggie days a week. Use a face flannel, not wipes. Ban the dryer, use fresh air. Plant trees. Lobby our MP on relevant environmental issues. Use cotton makeup wipes. Buy more seasonal and local produce. Eat less meat. Walk to the pub more often, not use the car and drink keg beer not cans or

Members welcomed Ruth Lowe to our first dinner meeting of the year. Ruth spoke about the early life of Mary Quant, her designs and how they influenced the fashion industry. A passionate speaker, Ruth has an extensive collection of original Mary Quant clothes and memorabilia. Several of her items were loaned to the V&A for their recent Mary Quant exhibition. Members enjoyed the trip down memory lane and many remembered wearing some of the items.

Quiz master Chris Wardle tested the knowledge of over 80 members and guests at our recent quiz night. The event, held at Drayton Park Golf Club, included a fish and chip supper. Funds from the event, and a raffle held on the night will go towards Madam Presidents charities.

As the start of COP26 approaches, SI Tamworth are delighted to offer congratulations to the young people of the Young Christian Climate Network who have walked in relay from Cornwall and the G7 in June all the way up the country to Glasgow upon successfully reaching their destination.       Club members Margaret and Edna were able to engage with the young people on the Tamworth leg of their journey when they stopped off for a break in the town at the end of August and pleased to use this opportunity to introduce them to the work for the environment and the planet being carried out throughout Soroptimist International.

SI Tamworth had a cake stall at the annual Cathedral to Castle run. Members baked cakes and helped to serve on the stall. We raised £210 for our charities.

Members of SI Tamworth took part in Tamworth’s first ever Seniors Fair, organised by MP Christopher Pincher. The fair was a free drop in event for Tamworth residents to talk to various groups and organisations. The stall looked very impressive and it was a pleasure for us all to be able to talk to so many members of the public about what we do.   Attendees were also able to have short video about their group recorded. Please click hear to listen to President Linda:- https://youtu.be/NnhFSMI_-ZY

On a sunny Saturday members and friends of SI Tamworth attended a coffee morning hosted by Soroptimist Chris Arrowsmith, in aid of Sightsavers and in memory of Gwen Hutchinson. A lovely time was had by all with good company and plenty of cakes! The event raised £364 for Sightsavers projects. Members also donate to this organisation by saving our our loose change.

The Forest Restaurant, Tamworth, was the venue for our annual picnic meeting. Members and friends enjoyed good food from locally sourced ingredients and welcomed the chance to catch up with friends in its unusual forestry setting.