The President and five members of SI Stratford recently attended the 74th anual conference of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland which was held in Barbados, the home country of the outgoing Federation President. This is only the 4th occasion on which the conference has been held outside Great Britain, previous overseas conferences being held in Hong Kong, South African and the Republic of Ireland.

Conference is always an enjoyable and stimulating occasion. It offers the opportunity to get together for serious discussion, to conduct Soroptimist business and to meet up with Soroptimist friends old and new from across the Federation.

Stratford members also took advantage of the opportunity to explore the island of Barbados and to soak up the sun and sea for a few days once Conference was over. The top photograph shows some of their number heading off along the sea front towards the Conference Centre and the bottom one shows them in rather  more relaxed mood.

Members of SI Stratford have supported the Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal for many years. On Thursday last, a team of approximately 20 members worked in relays to pack 131 boxes ready for despatch, stopping only to enjoy a fish and chip supper before tackling the final lap. The items for inclusion in the boxes had been donated by members and their friends and families and a very successful coffee morning held at the home of one of our members in September raised a total of £400 to cover the cost of transporting the boxes to various countries, mainly in Eastern Europe.

All the boxes had been covered in bright Christmas wrapping paper by the husbands of two of our members.

It is hoped that the total number of boxes packed by members of the club will have risen before they are finally sent off.

On November 1st our Club Website Officer was visiting the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and took the opportunity to visit the Soroptimist Memorial which was originally dedicated in 2003 but was moved and re-dedicated in 2007.

Some years ago SI Stratford planted a tree there in memory of Georgina Kingsbury, a founder member of our club.

It was a very damp and cold autumn day but the memorial, which is a fitting tribute to former Soroptimists from all clubs is well tended and the Soroptimist flag can be seen from quite a distance.

In October 2008 we paid a second visit to find out how our tiny saplings had grown and how the wood had developed. The small wood is now flourishing with trees native to the area, mainly oak and ash.

Friends joined us in our stroll around the wood, while a larger group - including two potential members - headed for a glorious six-mile walk in the Ilmington hills. More than twenty people finished the morning with a traditional pub lunch in the sunshine of a truly wonderful autumn day.

Members of SI Stratford upon Avon once again celebrated the United Nations International Day of Peace by lighting Peace Candles in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford upon Avon, St Andrew’s Church, Shottery and Stratford Methodist Church.
Programme Action Officer Christine Boylan and Secretary Penny Freedman celebrated by joining members of the local United Nations Association at their Tree of Peace Ceremony at Shottery.

On Thursday 4th September, SI Stratford upon Avon District Club held an Open Evening for women who might be interested in membership. Members were very happy to be able to welcome several visitors.

The business meeting was preceded by a demonstration by Marilyn Atkinson from the Avon Evening Flower Club and the resulting flower arrangements were raffled off at the end of the evening in aid of The Shakespeare Hospice. President Ann Prentice has selected the hospice as the club’s main charity during her year in office.

Stratford Soroptimists have sponsored 3 large flower tubs which welcome vistors to Stratford at the beginning of the one way system and which bid a colourful farewell to those leaving Stratford via the Warwick Road. This sponsorship is initially for 2 years but we hope that it will be a long term arrangement.

Other fund-raising events will be announced later in the year.

Members were please to welcome Elaine Malendewicz, chair ofthe Friends of the Shakespeare Hospice as a visitor at the August meeting.

On Saturday 16th August members of SI Stratford held a coffee morning to raise funds for this appeal. A total of £200 was raised.

UNICEF Born Free from HIV Appeal hopes to achieve four goals to enable children to be Born Free, Live Free and Stay Free from HIV. They aim to do this by 1) Preventing almost 500,000 babes being born with HIV this year bey preventing it being passed on by their mother during pregnancy, labour or delivery. 2) Ensuring that 2.5 millian children with HIV receive child-friendly medicine. 3) Ensuring that the 15 millian children orphaned by AIDS receive proper protection, care and support. 4) Empowering children and young people who are the most vulnerable to infection by providing them with the facts about HIV.