Soroptimists International Bromsgrove and Redditch.

The first meeting in 2017 was held on the second Thursday of January at the Southcrest Manor Hotel.

We were all pleased to meet up again after the Christmas break full of ideas for the coming year.

The Business meeting started with some general reports and then Margaret Toole ran through a review of 2016.

The year started with a Pudding Evening which was enjoyed by all who attended and a cheque was presented to The Basement Project . An Open Evening in June gained us two new members. Much enjoyed was a visit to Madresfield Court in July. A BBQ at the end of July raised money for Redditch Night Stop. The Book Club organised a trip to Bletchley Park in August, following on after a book read on the subject. Later in the year one of the best speakers we had had was Monica Carden talking about her work in the Prison Service and as a Prison Governor. The SI Bromsgrove and Redditch 50th Anniversary in October had been a resounding success. The Conference in Malta attended by one of our members had been informative and interesting. In November we had another good speaker in Richard Clarke telling us about the Cherish Fund, which is one of our International Charities for 2017. A Murder Mystery Evening ,which had taken place in November, raised money for the Meru Women's Garden Project, which helps Women and Girls in the Meru region of Kenya grow their own produce. The year was rounded off by a Christmas meal at the Bramley Cottage.

Coming up in 2017 is a Quiz in January to raised money for Redditch Night Stop. Another Open Evening will be held in May for people to come and meet us, to find out more about what Soroptimists do and an invitation to come and join us. The walking group continues to cover amiable miles at regular intervals.

Various other events and money raising projects were proposed to continue the good work of the Soroptimists by Transforming the lives of Women and Children Locally, Nationally and Globally through Education, Enabling and Empowerment.

Bromsgrove and Redditch Club meets every second Thursday of the Month at Southcrest Manor Hotel, Redditch.

Further information is available on SIGBI.org and 07799482444