Despite the restrictions of the continuing pandemic Soroptimist International Abergavenny and District have continued their service and fund-raising projects.

As the summer came to an end the club marked the centenary of Soroptimist International with the planting of a copse of mixed species trees on Abergavenny’s Castle Meadows.

The project was carried out in conjunction with the Friends of Castle Meadows who did the heavy spade work for which the Soroptimists were most grateful.

The copse was inaugurated by Soroptimist International Regional President for Wales South Heidi Lewis at a ceremony attended by the town mayor Tudor Thomas, town and county councillors, Friends of Castle Meadows and Abergavenny Soroptimists.

At the end of September the club held a traditional afternoon tea in the Priory Centre, Abergavenny, which raised £1050 for St David’s Hospice, Cwmbran.

Over 60 Soroptimists and friends from across South Wales attended, enjoying cakes and savouries made by members of the Abergavenny club.

In support of the UN Orange Campaign for the elimination of gender-based violence, which starts on November 25, the local Soroptimists are providing posters for town businesses and organisations to display.

The posters with a large orange logo also provide a telephone number for the Live Fear Free helpline which is 0808 8010800.

The UN use orange as the colour for the annual campaign to symbolise hope for the future. The next project for the Abergavenny Club will be Brave Bear, a modern slavery awareness initiative for schools. Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation whose members are committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities.

The Abergavenny club welcomes new members- more information and contact details can be found via www.sigbi.org/Abergavenny.