Lots of Christmas Cheer as we got together for our Christmas Club Meeting on Zoom. 

Christmas hats, funny stories, a quiz and a glass of something fizzy ensured that we made the  most of sharing time together online.

Itambira Island - Seeds of Hope

At our November Club Zoom Meeting we enjoyed hearing about the international charity that the Club is supporting this year, the Itambira Island Trust.

It is a charity based in a most beautiful area of Uganda. The Charity was set up to empower the local people to help themselves. They run training programmes and education and, to help raise funds, they provide tourist accommodation as the island is close to the habitat of mountain gorillas.

The aim of the Charity is to transform the lives of the local people. Before the Charity started the local people had an exceptionally low standard of living, many were illiterate and suffering from ill health and due to the poor farming methods there was a shortage of food.

The Charity focuses on five key areas:-

1 Increasing income by growing cash crops such a mushrooms, tailoring (school clothes) and making handicrafts

2 Micro finance by community banking

3 Sustainable land management by training people in improved farming practices to increase yields and maintain the land

4 Water management by installing water tanks in the villages

5 Social cohesion by bringing married couples together to address family issues

As a result of the ongoing work of the Charity the people of Itambira are now an empowered community where the vulnerable and disadvantaged are starting to realise their full potential.

Stratford upon Avon ladies were pleased to get together for a catch up recently. Social distancing didn't spoil the pleasure of meeting up and enjoying some tea and cake!

We successfully held our Annual General Meeting via Zoom. Our new President Vivien will continue to support the Shakespeare Hospice as her charity.

Stratford members have been keeping busy despite the lockdown restrictions. Some members having been using their sewing skills to make items for the NHS.

Also a number of charities have missed out with the cancellation of the London and Stratford Marathons and a challenge went out to raise money by doing something whilst in isolation as a fundraiser.

Stratford member Valerie did a 2.6 mile local walk as her exercise on 26th April (doubled when they did the return journey!) to raise money for the Butterfly Tree Charity.

With 'buddy' phone calls, Zoom online meetings and electronic newsletters we are doing our best to stay in touch.

Members were delighted to hear about the progress of the Chinthowa Development Trust recently, our chosen international charity this year. 

Events to support our international work included a 'Hunger Lunch' with delicious soups and puds and a 'Knit and Natter' 

At our recent meeting we were delighted to have a talk and demonstration from one of our own members who is a talented and expert quilter. These are just a few of her creations.

Selling knitted goods and 'name the teddy' earned lots of money for the Hospice and the Chinthowa Development Trust at the Victorian market held in Stratford Town Hall recently. Stratford upon Avon members enjoyed taking part and meeting up with other local community groups at the event.

Backstage at the BBC studios in Birmingham! Members enjoyed an informative and entertaining tour and admired the 'red sofa' used for news presentations. 

Be very afraid - Stratford members put on a 'Spooky Supper' to raise money for the international charities we are supporting.

Members enjoyed a fascinating visit to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Breeding Centre. Unfortunately they wouldn't let us take any puppies home with us!

President Rita had a busy end to her IW year with cheque presentations to the Shakespeare Hospice and to Lifespace, a young person's mentoring charity. Her last role was to induct a new member before handing over to incoming President, Barbara Abrey.

Some welcome tea and home made cake after a visit to a lovely local garden on a very damp Summer's day!

We have had a busy Spring with a number of events going on.  We were delighted to welcome over 80 guests to our fundraising Fashion Show at the Doubletree by Hilton Stratford upon Avon with clothes provided by Gemini Woman. 

The following weekend we worked hard to support the Rotary Stratford Mrathon, we felt as though we had run several ourselves by the time we had seved all the runners!

Our May speaker was Sue Jordan, a Trustee with the Military Wives Choirs Foundation. It was fascinating to hear about their history and future plans for the choirs.

Stratford members and guests enjoyed their 72nd Fellowship Lunch at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel recently. The speaker, Frances Benton, talked entertainingly about her 'passion for pearls', and bought many examples with her. All proceeds from items sold go to support a school for children with autism in Scotland.

Stratford President Rita with members of her family took on the fstest zipwire in the world over the North Wales quarries. Reaching speeds over over 100mph it was an opportunity to fund raise for the charities supported by the Club this year, the Shakespeare Hospice and Lifespace Trust.