Three club members planted a Conference pear at Blind Lane Recreational Ground mini orchard in Bourne End, Bucks. This is local to where we hold our meetings at Bourne End Library.
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
Featured in August #WhoIsShe? is our late member and Federation President Johanna M Raffan MBE. Follow the link below for details. https://sigbi.org/soroptimistcentenary2021/files/Johanna-Raffan-MB.pdf
At last – a face to face meeting! On one of the hottest summer days, some of our members met at Cliveden. A short leisurely stroll from the car park took us to the cafe for refreshments, and a chance to catch up and try to set the world to rights. As you can see, we quickly moved into the shade as far as possible. There will have to be another visit to wander round the extensive gardens and grounds.
It is with much sadness that we learnt of the death of Federation President Johanna on 15 June 2021. The Club wishes to thank all who have sent us messages of condolence and support. Johanna joined Soroptimists in 1987, first with SI High Wycombe and then SI Thames Valley, as a founder member in 1990. She had held most offices at club and Regional level, becoming a Federation Councillor for four years and Director Without Portfolio for two years. She was also Chair of Trustees of the Kori Development Project in Sierra Leone, raising funding for the library and schools, a continuing major project for the club. Her club, Soroptimism International of Thames Valley was so proud of her when she became the Federation President of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in its hundredth year. Johanna’s support for her club was exemplary, especially
Members of SI Thames Valley joined SI London Chilterns Region’s Zoom Conference and Celebration on Saturday 12 June. Many Soroptimists joined the Region’s celebration, including members of SI Oakland in California, the founding club of Soroptimist International in 1921. SI Oakland has a Friendship Link with SI Milton Keynes, the newest club in our Region. For the full report of the Conference and Celebration visit https://sigbi.org/london-chilterns/
Join us to celebrate Thirty Years of services to women locally, within Great Britain and Internationally. Our charter Lunch was held at the River and Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames RG9 1BF. This contemporary Venue offers great views of the river, has its own car park and is convenient for the train station. Sunday 21st November 2021. Please see report headed SITV 30th Anniversary Charter Lunch held on 21 November 2021
Guests from other Soroptimist clubs joined members for this meeting. Club Secretary Alison welcomed the guests to the meeting and clarified that the meeting would be briefer than usual because members had just learned of the death of Johanna Raffan. While this had been anticipated, following her recent stroke, it was a significant shock to everyone who had known her. It had been decided to continue with the meeting as it was felt this was what Johanna would have wished. The club was offered the condolences of those Soroptimists who had been lucky enough to have known Johanna. Those who had worked closely with her also expressed their appreciation of her friendship and commitment to Soroptimism. A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect. Commonwealth War Graves Commission https://www.cwgc.org Alison welcomed our guest speaker and asked Sushi (Programme Action Officer) to make the
