After talking to a Polish friend, one of our members contacted SI Krakow to ask how we could help. She learned that the main reception centre for Ukrainian refugees in Krakow is at the Bus Station. Thousands of mainly women and children are arriving hungry, thirsty and literally in the clothes they are wearing, without luggage. Every day, members of SI Krakow are in attendance and providing a welcome and refreshments at the Bus Station. To support this work, we are sending a donation from SI Thames Valley.

Our speaker at our March 2022 meeting was Richard Poad, from Maidenhead Heritage Centre.   He gave a very informative talk on the women and men involved with the Air Transport Auxiliary in WW2 entitled ‘Grandma Flew Spitfires’.   We were surprised to find out the there were 2 air pool stations totally run by women (at Hamble and Cosford).   Out of approximately 1255 flying staff there were only 168 women (ratio of 1:6).   By September 1939 there were over 1000 men signed up for the ATA, but the first women were only signed up in January 1940. It was not until 2008 that the ATA personnel were given a commemorative badge. They couldn’t be given a medal as they were civilians and not in the air force. For more information, visit the Maidenhead Heritage Centre website or go straight to the Air Transport Auxiliary website. https://maidenheadheritage.org.uk

  In their on-going support of their local Women’s Refuges , SI Thames Valley have recently responded to a new request for toilet rolls and teabags. The photo shows the current car load for the latest delivery to the Wycombe Women’s Aid Office. Contributions are always gratefully received! https://www.wycombewomensaid.org.uk/

First planned for 30 March 2020 and after several postponements, we finally celebrated the Pearl Anniversary of our charter on Sunday 21 November 2021. Many Soroptimists and other friends from London Chilterns Region and further afield joined us at the River & Rowing Museum in Henley, looking out over the Thames on a sunny day. Pictures of Johanna Raffan were projected throughout the afternoon. These brought many memories of Johanna, one of our founder members, who sadly died in June 2021 part way through her year as SIGBI President. Proceeds from the raffle have been donated to the Diamond Education Grant, a SIGBI charity dear to Johanna. Much of the day had been planned by Johanna, and we were delighted so many friends joined us to support our club and to honour Johanna’s memory.                      

David Whitaker was introduced to the club by Anne Arton.  David gave a lively talk, about his long career as a travel agent overseeing arrngements for many well-known clients.   He entertained members and visitors with a host of anecdotes. The business section of the meeting took place before and after David’s presentation.

To pay tribute to the memory and achievements of our founding member, and President of our Federation Johanna Raffan we are proposing to create an orchard on an acre of land donated by a grateful Sierra Leonian. This will be adjacent to the secondary school we have built in Bai Largo, Kori district, Sierra Leone. The planting of trees was very dear to Johanna’s heart – and so was our Kori project of which she was Chair. It is hoped that the school children will help to plant the trees and eventually take part in harvesting the crops. We will need to fence the land, buy tree guards to protect the young trees from smaller animals. and also want to build sturdy benches. All of this is anticipated to cost £5,000 and we are hoping that Johanna’s Soroptimist friends will consider helping to finance this