Weston Soroptimists were treated to a hilarious talk by Peter Tinney at our January meeting. Son of  a local farmer from Wedmore he recounts his childhood memories and experience about farming over his lifetime (see him on youtube).  He was able to bring his primary schooldays in Allerton to life with his eloquent description of his teacher who brought her cat to school along with three pairs of knickers to dry by the stove.  He explained that teachers always carry a large bag in which to deposit items belonging to the children which they have confiscated (i.e.stolen!) and never return.  Girls and boys were separated in the playground by a fence topped with barbed wire. None of the 8 children in his class passed the scholarship exam to go to grammar school. All this and more kept club members totally absorbed and entertained. Dinah gave

When Louise Harrison found that her son was allergic to dairy products she looked for a chocolate product that she could give him as a treat. She was disappointed with the taste and appeal of what was on offer and determined to do something about it.  She set up a bain-marie in her back bedroom, got some cocoa butter and set to work.  Two and a half years later she has a flourishing business, her Cocoalibre chocolate is being sold by Holland and Barrett and Sainsbury’s, she has moved into a small industrial unit and employs 5 people. She uses rice milk and flavourings like mint and orange. Her chocolates are totally allergen free. Weston Soroptimists were fascinated to hear Louise’s story, her problems along the way and her achievements so far. Needless to say, they also enjoyed tasting the samples she had brought along

Janet hosted a wonderful evening over the summer when we met for a posh ploughman’s at her flat over looking Weston bay. Ronnie organised the catering and after a few of us strolled around Knightstone Island in the heat of a balmy summer evening, we were treated to an excellent spread of food with drinks. If the sea had been a little more azure we could have been in St Tropez!

At the end of a problematic year, Shelagh was delighted none the less  to receive a record of events kindly prepared Danielle at the AGM.

After 2 years of being president, Sue is ready to give up the chain of office to her Successor, President Shelagh and wishes her all the best. A closing message from Sue to the club: A huge thank you for the amazingly wonderful gift I received from all of you it is very special and it will be well used. Also all the cards with such kind words, flowers, emails and phone calls I have had…..I feel a bit like a teacher leaving her class after 2 years. I am looking forward to the next 12 months with Shelagh as president I am sure she will be terrific. With love, Sue xxxx  

The meeting was  addressed by a speaker, Maggie Evans, who was a personal friend of the President.  The subject of her talk was her experience as a volunteer on the island of Iona in the Outer Hebrides.  Maggie had leave of absence from her work and taken up a twelve week placement on Iona.  This was as a result of  hearing a brief talk on Radio 4 about the Iona Community.  It had, she assured us, changed her life. The Iona Community is an ecumenical Christian community of men and women from different walks of life who are engaged in acting, reflecting and praying for justice and peace in the world.  Worship is at the root of the community and there are twice daily services at the Abbey. Iona is a small island of only three square miles and apart from the Community there are

  Soroptimist International of Weston-super-Mare held a very successful fund-raising event at The Winter gardens in the town, “An Evening with Ann Widdecombe”. Over 200 guests sat down to listen to the former politician deliver a highly entertaining account of her life in politics, her career as a novelist and her involvement in “Strictly Come Dancing”. Following the talk Ann answered questions from the audience on a variety of subjects for almost an hour. Nothing was taboo and Ann answered every question honestly and in her trademark forthright manner. This was then followed by a book signing session and a buffet. The event raised over £800:00 for the Women’s Refuge thanks to Miss Widdecombe’s generosity. The event was covered in the local press see http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/ann_s_new_novel_1_1327316#.T6WEGx1camE.email

Members of SI Weston-super-Mare were thrilled when their project “Skirting Science ” was awarded a Best Practice Award at the 19th International Convention of Soroptimist International.   This took place in July at the Palais de Congres in Montreal.  1200 Soroptimists from all over the world heard Skirting Science, now in its third year, declared the Best of the Best and 3 members of the Club were there to receive the applause.  Ruth Thomas, Chairman of the Skirting Science committee, said “This was totally unexpected.  I am delighted, as encouraging girls into science is important and the whole club has been involved in putting on this event.” Skirting Science has been highlighted in the new Global Impact Report as an example of how a project should be organised.  It fits the new Long Term Project theme  “Education and Leadership”.  Weston Soroptimists plan to continue holding