Summer Solstice Celebration at the National Botanic Garden of Wales
Saturday 21st June 2025
Didn’t we have a lovely day—the day we went to the National Botanic Garden of Wales! Against the backdrop of midsummer sunshine and the stunning Carmarthenshire landscape, members from across the region gathered for a very special occasion: Celebrating Celebrities, Greeting Presidents, and Awarding Club Members.
This memorable regional meeting brought together 34 members from seven clubs for a truly enriching day of inspiration, connection, and recognition.
A Presidential Welcome
We were honoured to welcome SIGBI President Ruth Healey as our distinguished guest. President Ruth updated us on current developments within SIGBI, shared insights into the organisation’s direction, and took time to listen to the fantastic work happening within our own regional clubs. Her presence, engagement, and open dialogue truly made the day feel collaborative and forward-looking.
An Audience with Eve Sherratt
Our guest speaker, Eve Sherratt, was nothing short of a revelation. A charismatic, award-winning vocalist and entertainer, Eve held us spellbound as she shared her remarkable journey from humble beginnings in a local butcher’s and baker’s to international stages.
Her story included:
- Studying drama and singing at Swansea College
- Being spotted by Kiri Te Kanawa
- Supporting Max Boyce on tour for five years
- Performing with numerous celebrities on cruise ships worldwide
- A heartfelt tribute to her late friend Ruth Madoc, including singing at her memorial
- Being among the first to perform music from The Greatest Showman at sea—before the film was released!
- And finally, how she reimagined her career during the pandemic, leading to her current role as Community Rail Officer with Network Rail
With warmth, humour, and honesty, Eve reminded us how life’s unexpected turns can lead to extraordinary opportunities.
Celebrating Our Members
President Helen then led a beautiful moment of celebration, recognising the dedication, impact, and longevity of our members. Certificates and cards were presented to those marking milestone years of service—a visible expression of the strength and continuity within our region.
How it works:
- Members not receiving a certificate from SIGBI are presented with one by the region
- Members receiving SIGBI recognition are given a commemorative card
- Milestones are marked at 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 60 years of service
The day was a reminder of everything that makes our Soroptimist community so powerful: the passion of our members, the brilliance of our speakers, and the beauty of coming together. Thank you to everyone who joined us—and to those who continue to support our mission to empower, educate, and enable women across the region and beyond.
Here’s to many more days as inspiring as this one!