Daphne, Dorothy and Margaret recently to the Drop-In to help celebrate 20 years of providing a safe, neutral place for young people to meet. The Centre is one of our chosen charities and they had a wonderful welcome. They are having a new kitchen installed to teach the members to cook. For more information please go to http://www.tivertonmarketcentre.com/

    At the Soroptimist Southwest and Channel Islands Regional Meeting at Taunton on Saturday 21st November 2015. Daphne Dowsing was installed as President Elect for the South West Region. Daphne will take over the Role of Regional President in November 2016 for the 18 Soroptimist clubs in the Southwest Region. Daphne says “Moving from Vice President to President Elect, means that I get more involved with the running of the Region. In February 2016, I meet with all the other Regional President Elects. It will be hosted by the Federation President Elect Ann Hodgson in London at Number 63 Bayswater Road. In March 2016 I will have a meeting with the Incoming Club Presidents during lunchtime at the Regional Meeting. I have to compile a questionnaire, then a report from all the Soroptimists Regional Clubs on their activities and membership during this year. During October I will be working with the other Regional Officers to set targets for my year

Two members of Tiverton Soroptimists joined over 1000 other members of world-wide women’s organisation Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) at the annual Conference in Glasgow which was attended this year by HRH Princess Anne. Princess Anne was given a cheque of £4000 towards the work of Save the Children which is currently appealing for funds to support refugee children in camps around Syria. Soroptimist Clubs around Britain have donated food parcels and toiletries to families fleeing into Europe and some are preparing welcome packs of clothes and toys for women and children who will be arriving in Britain in the coming months. Club President, Di Hill, said it was wonderful to hear Princess Anne congratulate Soroptimists for their charity work and to talk about what Save the Children has been doing for Syrian refugee children. Also at the three day Conference Soroptimists heard

It was with great pleasure that Katie French was inducted by Diane Hill as the clubs newest member at the meeting on the 11th November. A warm welcome was extended to Katie by all the club members.

Saturday the 17th October 2015 saw 50 supporters enjoy a great challenging quiz along with a tasty Ploughman’s supper, a well stocked bar and a fabulous range of raffle prizes. The grant total raised was £385.05, a magnificent sum towards supporting our Club Programme Action causes. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time; prizes and for coming along.  

Club members are delighted to welcome Mrs Pauline Knowles, Lady Mayor, as an Honorary member of the SI Tiverton and District Club for the term of her office.

Daphne Dowsing and Jen Turner at the Petroc Freshers’ Fayre on 17th September 2015.

Our first meeting after the summer break started with a very interesting talk by Kevin Balding who told us about the work done by the Devon Freewheelers; a team of 50 volunteer Emergency Vehicle drivers who are dedicated to providing a weekday out of hours service (17.00 – 06.00) and 24/7 weekend service supporting the NHS in delivering essential Blood, Samples, Medication and Donor Breast Milk to hospitals throughout Devon. The photo shows Diane Hill presenting Kevin with a cheque from SI Tiverton and District which was added to by donations from those attending the meeting to total £77.50. To find out more about the work of the Devon Freewheelers got to https://bloodbikes.org/