{"id":5460,"date":"2025-10-02T19:33:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T18:33:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/tunbridge-wells\/?page_id=5460"},"modified":"2025-11-22T07:54:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T07:54:53","slug":"past-events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/tunbridge-wells\/past-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Past Events"},"content":{"rendered":"

PAST EVENTS (24\/25)<\/span><\/h4>\n

Centenary Action Webinar \u2018Making Women\u2019s Votes Count\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD members attended this webinar which brought together a number of leaders across women\u2019s groups to talk about how issues affecting women and their families could get more attention in an election year.\u00a0 It was hosted by Helen Pankurst who is leading the overall initiative Centenary Action to increase the representation of women in Parliament to 50% by 2028, the 110th<\/sup> anniversary of equal suffrage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Whilst women represent over fifty one percent of the electorate, their challenges do not get the attention they deserve from the policymakers.\u00a0 Research has suggested that women\u2019s votes could sway the outcome of the election this year.\u00a0 The webinar was designed to share ideas and work to make a difference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD members will be involved with the Centenary Action going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wiesbaden Art Exhibition in Tunbridge Wells<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD members attended an exhibition of artwork produced by the Kunstlergruppe50 artists from Wiesbaden which was organised by the Tunbridge Wells Twinning and Friendship Association and formed part of the 35th<\/sup>anniversary of the signing of the town\u2019s Twinning Charter.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Kunstlergruppe50 Wiesbaden was formed in 1950 by a group of artists whose work was declared\u201cdegenerate art\u201d by the Nazi regime.\u00a0 They rallied together after the war to revitalise free and artistic expression.\u00a0 They reconnected to earlier art development nd today are an active part of the cultural life in Wiesbaden and beyond.\u00a0 Exhibitions of their work have been seen in many countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD has a Friendship Link with SI Wiesbaden and members\u2019 attendance at the exhibition was relayed to the club as a way of strengthening our connection with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Women Creating Community \u2013 International Celebration Evening<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD members attended an evening event organised by women in Tunbridge Wells to build a cross-cultural community of women in the town of all faiths and none.\u00a0 This provided an opportunity for women to get together and share their cultural background and experiences and for SITWD to raise its profile in sections of the community with which they have hitherto had little contact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Friends of Woodbury Park Cemetery Craft, Plant and Produce Fair on the Green<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Friends of Woodbury Park Cemetery (FWPC) held a Craft, Plant and Produce Fair on 20th<\/sup> April 2024. Money raised is used by the Friends to support conservation and restoration work at this local site of historic interest to Tunbridge Wells. SITWD rented a stall at the craft fair to support the Friends and also to sell handcrafted items produced by club members to boost club funds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several founding members of the FWPC are long-standing SITWD members.\u00a0 Since it was founded in 2007 the FWC not only work to conserve this historic Victorian cemetery, but also run a programme of guided walks, talks and events that benefit the community across all age ranges in Tunbridge Wells. Taking a stall at this craft fair enabled SITWD to continue to support the Friends, raise money to support SITWD causes and distribute information about Soroptimists<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Film Night in Support of Survivors\u2019 Network<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Survivors\u2019 Network works to\u00a0confront sexual violence, abuse and harassment so no one has to face the impacts\u00a0of these\u00a0alone. To this end they offer accessible, survivor-centred services across Sussex\u00a0by empowering communities to stand up against sexual violence, abuse and harassment through education, training and\u00a0general support to victims.\u00a0 The charity is the SITWD President\u2019s charity for 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD held a film night to raise awareness of Survivors\u2019 Network and help raise funds for the charity.\u00a0 Club members watched a film about a college teacher in America in the 1950\u2019s who encouraged her female students to achieve more than marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n

TW12<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>24\/5<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>SITWD<\/strong> Held an Election Hustings Event June 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Club members decided to take up the call made during the webinar, \u2018Making Women\u2019s Votes Count\u2019 and organised a hustings event involving the parliamentary candidates for the constituency of Tunbridge Wells.\u00a0 All six candidates were invited and all accepted except the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Martin<\/span><\/p>\n

Club members, Jill Ruddock, Lorna Blackmore and Caroline Auckland put together the format for the evening to ensure impartiality with all candidates receiving equal \u2018air time\u2019.\u00a0 Each candidate was allowed 3 minutes to introduce themselves, after which they were asked 5 pre-prepared questions, notified to them in advance.\u00a0 They were each given 3 minutes to answer.\u00a0 The order was rotated so that they all had an opportunity to go first.\u00a0 They were then all given a further 3 minutes to summarise their overall proposition.\u00a0 The questions were asked by Kathleen Lynch-Howard, a politically unaffiliated member of SITWD with the timings monitored by two of the event organisers.\u00a0 In the time remaining, questions were invited and asked from the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event was the first 2024 hustings event in Tunbridge Wells.\u00a0 103 people attended.<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD supports Rusthall\u2019s Summer Fete<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rusthall, a village to the west of Tunbridge Wells, held their annual community village fete with live music, foodand craft stalls organised by the Rusthall Bonfire and Fete Group to provide a community event, promote local businesses and groups and support charities.\u00a0 SITWD rented a stall at the fete to promote Soroptimists and also to sell handcrafted items produced by club members to boost club funds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rusthall has a thriving community. Taking a stall at this fete enabled SITWD to continue to support the village as well as raise money to support SITWD causes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD at the Tunbridge Wells Mela Event<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tunbridge Wells Mela is a free, annual event in Calverley Park.\u00a0 It celebrates music, visual arts, food and dance from around the world and involves local residents, businesses community organisations and charities.\u00a0 This was its 17th<\/sup> year and it aims to bring together people from all sections of the community to celebrate everything that makes them uniquely different.and also the one community in Tunbridge Wells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD supports Imago Dei at the Value Her #SheMatters Women\u2019s Justice Conference<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD members attended the conference organised by the charity, Imago Dei Prison Ministry, which works with women in three prisons in the South East before and after their release into the community. The theme of the conference was \u2018Accommodation and Employment for Women Leaving Prison\u2019. There were a number ofspeakers, breakout sessions and panel discussions with opportunities for connecting, networking and learning from each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

#SheMatters opened its first charity shop in Tunbridge Wells selling superior quality women and girls\u2019 clothing and accessories. This raises awareness in the community and promotes support for the charity. It also creates work experience opportunities for women leaving prison. One of SITWD\u2019s members volunteers at the shop and the club is looking at ways to get more involved. The conference was an opportunity to listen to people behind organisations like Justice Matters and Power2Power. It also provided more information about the Prison Reform Trust, EPIC (Empowering People: Inspiring Change) and Birth Companions. It allowed discussion of the work of Imago Dei and others in offering employment opportunities and accommodation after prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD at THE <\/strong>KENT POLICE AND SUPPORT AGENCIES INFORMATION DAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In their capacity as members of the Independent Advisory Group which works as a critical friend to the police, the Club was invited to participate in this event,\u00a0the purpose of which\u00a0was to\u00a0provide members of the public with an opportunity to learn what services are available in the community. It was attended by a large number ofagencies who serve the local population including the Fire & Rescue Service,\u00a0Age UK,\u00a0Citizens Advice,\u00a0Nourish\u00a0and the Kent Family Hub as well as representatives from the Borough \/ County Councils and the police themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are a large number of agencies operating in the town of Tunbridge Wells and surrounding districts which aim to improve the lives of people generally but specifically those who find themselves disadvantaged or vulnerable by dint of their gender, age, ethnicity, poor mental health, financial circumstances or disability. However, many service providers find that the extent of the support and advice available free of charge for those in need\u00a0is not widely known\u00a0and this event was an attempt to address that.\u00a0Two SITWD members attended the event to raise the profile of the Soroptimists generally and the Club in particular in the local community and during the event had numerous conversations with members of the community and fellow stand holders.<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD CELEBRATES UNITED NATIONS DAY 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Members of SITWD joined the event organised by the Tunbridge Wells and Wealden United Nations Association to mark United Nations Day on 24 October. This is a celebration each year to mark the entry into force of the UN Charter, the founding document, in 1945. The day highlights the work of the UN in promoting international peace, security, cooperation, and development. The UN flag was raised above Tunbridge Wells Town Hall and speeches were given by Mike Martin MP and the mayor, Cllr Nancy Warne.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>SITWD WREATH LAID ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The President of SITWD, Cat Mennell, laid the Club\u2019s wreath at the War Memorial in Tunbridge Wells as part of the official procession on Remembrance Sunday 2024. The Club has been a part of the Service of Remembrance, Thanksgiving and Dedication at the War Memorial in Tunbridge Wells for many years. This is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifices of all those who have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD Visits HMP Bronzefield<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

HMP Bronzefield is the only purpose-built private women\u2019s prison in the UK. SITWD were involved previously with sewing a banner for International Women\u2019s Day, using designs from the women in the prison (63972). The Prison Chaplain extended an invitation to visit the prison, see the banner in situ and meet some of the women involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seven members of SITWD travelled to HMP Bronzefield and after going through security, met the Prison Chaplain who explained the setup of the prison and her work with the women there.. There are many programmes running covering literacy, numeracy, and IT as well as vocational training in several trades. There is also a programme working with women who have suffered Domestic Abuse which is quite common amongst the women there. There is a lot of creative work on display including the banner club members had made and the group met with two of the women who had been involved with the design.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>TW25 \u2013 24\/5 SITWD joins Reclaim the Night Walk<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cReclaim the Night\u201d Walk is an annual event coinciding with the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG). It asserts the right of women to walk freely without fear of harassment, intimidation, or sexual assault.<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD have been very involved in the local community highlighting the issue of VAWG. The Walk which takes part along two routes in Tunbridge Wells, is an important event to continue to raise awareness of women\u2019s safety at night. It also starts the 16 Days of Activism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Twelve members of SITWD joined the walk, led by Cllr Jayne Sherratt at Rusthall and Cllr Ellen Neville at St John\u2019s to the Pantiles Monday 25th<\/sup> November. Both Cat Mennell, our President and Jill Ruddock, our President Elect, were featured on TV on the local programme, Kent Tonight, discussing the importance of such events in highlighting the need for cultural change. Interviews were also given to West Kent radio.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the walk, members gathered with others to share information and experiences and to get warm on a chilly night. In honour of the night, 12 tubs of hot chocolate are being donated to the local food bank, Nourish.<\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD joins Silent March in Canterbury<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

SITWD joined many others in the Silent Walk organised by SI Canterbury on Saturday 30th<\/sup> November. The March through the streets of Canterbury is part of the UN 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and domestic abuse. It expresses solidarity with women all over the world against violence towards women and girls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Several members of SITWD travelled to Canterbury and joined the March. They marched silently and solemnly, wearing orange and holding placards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>SITWD attends Independent Advisory Group Event<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) has as its overall aim the forming of a bridge between the Police and the Local Community with a view to ensuring the community feels safe and empowered. SITWD continues its involvement (64218\/65289) and is represented on the IAG by members, Jill Ruddock, and Kathy Lewis, focusing on the safety of women and girls and liaison with schools respectively.\u00a0 The meeting assembled many community and police representatives to launch the 2025 IAG-led Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jill and Kathy attended representing the Club which allowed them to network with the Police, Borough\/Parish Councillors and representatives from Southeastern Railway, Greene King, White Ribbon, Community Wardens and RTW together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>The event included a session involving those with expertise of VAWG followed by breakout group discussions tasked with answering the following questions: –<\/span><\/p>\n