This weekend the Newbury branch of Soroptomist International celebrated their 50th anniversary, and I was invited to their lunch at the Regency Park Hotel, in Thatcham.
76 people sat down to a three course meal, followed by a speach from Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (more commonly known as Emma Nicholson, MEP for this region since 1999).
The Soroptomists have to be one of the biggest international organisations that many people have never heard of! They have 90,000 members in 126 countries, and fundraise for international, national and local good causes. They are all business or professional women who believe in doing something for the community, both by giving time to volunteer, and by fundraising. They are particulary interested in helping to advance the status of women, and lobby government, the EU and the UN in this cause.
I saw a number of familiar faces there today, women whom I know do other voluntary things in Newbury, but I didn't also know they were soroptomists. Their biggest fundraiser in Newbury is the charity pancake race and lunches on Shrove Tuesday.
In the photo you can see I'm not the only one with a pendant! I felt quite at home amongst so many other beautiful chains and pendants. Included with Emma Nicholson are the local branch president Sue Kitchener, Regional President Jane Slatter, and Federation President Ann Dawson.
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