On March 9^th we were invited to help mark International Women’s Day at Suffolk County Council, Endeavour House, Ipswich. The Club had a stand at the event and some members were able to attend talks.

The day included a welcome and introduction by

Andrea Hill - Chief Executive of Suffolk County Council as well as aspirational talks from:

§         Raegan Delaney - Headteacher, Nayland Primary School
§         Assis Carreiro - Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Dance East
§         Bridget Taylor - Chief Executive, Customer Service Direct
§         Sue Lowndes - Head of Fostering and Adoption, Suffolk County Council
§         Hilda Turner - Chairperson, ACE.

We were delighted to meet so many interesting men and women on the day and also to raise our profile as a vibrant and active club in the region.

March 11^th we held an evening of entertainment and cerebral challenge in the form of a women’s themed quiz night at the Ipswich and Suffolk Club, Northgate Street. The quiz raised more than £500 towards our quadrennial project – Project Sierra and was attended by 60 women from a variety of businesses and professions. In fact, the event proved so successful, we have been asked when we will be running an event of its kind again ….. Watch this space! 

March 14^th a number of club members took time out of their busy weekends to hand out flyers at Asda, Ipswich, promoting the “Moonlight Walk” being held in May here in Ipswich, in support of St Elizabeth’s Hospice.

March 14th Club representatives attended our regional meeting to find out what has happening around the region in other clubs and to feed back on our own recent events.

We have strong and long established friendship links with other clubs around the world:

Arras, France.  Members have visited Arras in 2008 and are in regular contact with this strong club.

Naestved, Denmark.  In October 2008, eight members visited Naestved to celebrate their 50^th Anniversary of their Club. Ipswich Club donated 1000 krona towards their ongoing projects.  A wonderful time was had by all members and the hospitality received was overwhelming. We look forward to returning the warm welcome to the Naestved club when they next visit.  

Detmold, Germany.

Leigh-Ondrea Bendall (front left in picture), managing director of Herbert Industrial Ltd, was awarded the prestigious title of Suffolk Business of the Year 2008 and now goes forward to compete in the Veuve Clicquot National Businesswoman of the Year Awards later this year.

Having joined the Herbert Group in Haverhill in 1999, Leigh-Ondrea was appointed managing director of Herbert Industrial in 2006 and within 18 months turned the division around.

The club are very proud to have Leigh as member and celebrated her success at a supper held at the Suffolk club.

Our AGM will be held April 22nd.