Soroptimist International Bath and District

An interesting and informative talk from a Parkinsons UK member of staff based in Taunton. Unfortunately the really awful weather kept away a number of our usual attenders.

Members got together to highlight Violence Against Women in a local cafe.

We marked this period by holding an orange cafe meeting at a local church and engaging with those in the cafe, providing literature and information about the local group.

A selection of ring pulls have been collected over the last few months to send to the Purple Community Fund. With the help of the South West regional clubs we have collected quite a pile. These get sent to the charity and the ladies in the Philippines make fashionable goods out of them to give them a much deserved income.

There was a good turn out at the Regional meeting held in Cheddon Fitzpaine on Saturday. There were workshops, interesting speakers and also a chance to meet members from other regional clubs.

A few members from the club were invited by Bath MP, Wera Hobhouse to the Houses of Parliament.

The trip was very informative and involved going into the House of Lords chambers and the main chambers to see MPs at work followed by an afternoon tea.

Members gathered easter eggs to give to the local refuge.

It was President Diane’s last official duty of presentating a cheque to Julian House. This was her charity of the year and the money will specifically go to the Chippenham Women’s refuge who will put it towards an outing later on in the year.

We did several fund raising events such as a quiz and a bucket collection with some generous donations from our friendship links abroad.

With the help of regional clubs we have managed to accumulate a whole load of unwanted jewellery to raise money for our local charity Julian House.

The donations have been sent to a Tamworth company called ‘Cash for your trash’

We all have jewellery, watches and even unwanted currency that is now obsolete. A great way to raise money and free up your jewellery box!

For the 2nd year running the ladies who live in the local refuges around Wiltshire were represented by their artwork. Again there were many poignant paintings, drawings and poems on show and the exhibits were very thought provoking. The pain and the hope were there to be seen.

This year the exhibit was interactive with each entry having a podcast attached to it explaining more about the piece of art. There are certainly some talented artists within these refuges.

The exhibition was led by Wiltshire Council with accompanying Domestic Abuse partners such as Julian House who we have supported for many years now.