Leaflet covering letter. Soroptimist International is one of Britain’s best kept secrets despite being the world’s largest women’s campaigning organisation. We hope you will want to let your readers/ audiences know more about what we stand for and how we are tackling some of the biggest issues affecting women. One of them is Violence Against Women and the newly-published leaflet enclosed explains in more detail how Soroptimist International clubs throughout the UK are raising awareness in five main areas of concern. There are 10,000 women working in 260 clubs. Contact details of the nearest club(s) in your circulation/broadcast area are on the back of the leaflet. Soroptimist (which means best of sisters) International is celebrating 75 years in the UK. The one thing we are not good at is shouting loud and long about what we do. We’d like to put that right too. http://www.soroptimist-ukpac.org/about/show/336/

WHERE VISION MATTERS The Torquay & District branch of the Soroptimist International recently played hosts to Martin Pallett – Director of Services and Cherrie Crook – Volunteer Co-ordinator from the newly renamed Devon in Sight. Devon in Sight is a long running charity supporting people in Devon experiencing sight loss, previously known as the Devon County Association for the Blind.  The Devon in Sight is a Resource Centre and Charity based at Station House, Topsham. The new Resource centre is almost complete in Topsham and they will soon be re-launching the charity with a new name and a fresh look.  Martin explained that over 50 entries were received for the ‘Name Challenge’ which was set up to find a name that would be easily recognisable and capture the charity’s ambitions for the future. Martin gave a brief demonstration of some of the kitchen, household and

Miss Ann Widdecombe visited the Torquay Club and gave an interesting and very funny account of some of her experiences.   The visit was enjoyed by over 120 people and Ann’s books were on sale the profit from which was donated to the local Abuse Centre in Torquay.

President’s Evening at Rosegarth Maureen Hunnable played host at the Annual President’s Evening which was held recently at Rosegarth. A very appetising supper of lasagne, salad, new potatoes with a dessert of apple and redcurrant tart and cream was cooked and prepared by President Maureen and ably assisted May Hulme, this was served to fellow members. During the evening Maureen was proud to present the ‘Woman in the Community Award 2011’ to ex-soroptimist Christine Paradine. Christine retired in November as Manager at the Animals in Distress Rescue Centre in Ipplepen, where she had worked for the past 17 years.   During that time the staff increased from just two to twenty four, she had cared for and rehomed over 10,000 animals who needed help due to a variety of reasons including domestic problems, financial reasons and bereavement.   Christine now hopes to devote her time writing a

This is the question many people have asked me since I joined the SI Torquay and District recently. Not a surprising question really as I had asked the same to a work colleague who has also joined within the last 12 months. The only person who really knew what a Soroptimist was is my father-in-law, himself an active member of the Normandy Veterans. If I can do half as much fund raising as he has done I will be very happy. I was invited to attend the first meeting which just happened to be the talk at St Matthias Church by Miss Anne Widdecombe and what struck me from that first night was the sincerity and friendship that was shown, it was a brilliant evening and confirmed to me that I wanted to join. Last month along with five other members from Torquay I travelled

Torquay and Brixham members meet on the bridge at Torquay Seafront to celebrate Day of PeaceTORQUAY AND BRIXHAM CLUB MET AT TORQUAY SEAFRONT TO CELEBRATE THE DAY OF PEACE