Features
and Reviews
60th
Anniversary of the Brixham International Soroptimist
On Friday
July 4th at 7pm, Jessica Beatty the current President of the
Brixham International Soroptimists welcomed guests to the official
unveiling of their new mosaic and plaque located at Marina Walk.
Created by the present members of this local women's organisation,
the mosaic was designed to celebrate 60 years of the Brixham
Soroptimists, who have dedicated themselves fund raising for
charities within the community and overseas. |
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The
actual unveiling was carried out by two former presidents,
Marjorie Reeves and Frieda Simmons, stepped forward to do
the unveiling with Marjorie a member since the late 1950s
and Frieda since the mid 1960s.Created with beads, buttons
and even parts of the Berlin wall, Susan Elizabeth Smith developed
the piece, giving up much of her own time and was presented
with a bunch of beautiful flowers for all her creative work.
Thanks were also given to the Brixham Town Council and Candy
Tiles for their donations and to the Brixham Coastguard for
the permission to put the mosaic and plaque on the their wall.
At the presentation Cllr Chris Bedford said, “The Soroptimists
do marvellous work, which has included adopting a minefield to
be cleared, raising funds for the Brixham Trawler Race and Laywell
House, also helping in the gardens at the Cheshire Homes and other
Institutions in Brixham. We appreciate their work and hope they
continue for another 60 years.”
Reverend
Tim Deacon dedicated the plaque with a prayer and a message
of thanks for the work of the women in the Bible and those
today who serve their community.
During
her yearly term as President of the Soroptimists Mrs Jessica
Beatty has for her chosen charities selected the Starlight
Children's Foundation based in London, with Exeter having
a local branch and the Torbay Lifeboats. She hopes to offer
a gift to them of an underwater light to help search for people
that may be caught in the dark waters, and support local trawler
men as she too has family members in the Fishing Industry.
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After the unveiling people were encouraged
to go along to the Lifeboat Station to enjoy the buffet supplied
by members of the Soroptimists organisation. Here guests were
taken on a special tour of the Lifeboat House, the Torbay All
Weather Lifeboat and shown the video of the dramatised Ice Prince
Rescue by Coxswain Mark Criddle and members of the Lifeboat
crew. Previous Coxswain Dave Hurford also attended prompting
many conversations about rescues from the past few decades.
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Whilst on board the
All Weather Lifeboat, guests were shown the amazing technology
now being used. With the dark skies, high winds rocking and
the stationary boat the high tide rushing up the slipway many
were concerned with, ‘What if there was a shout now?' |
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Before
leaving Marjorie and Frieda agreed, that they ‘couldn't praise
the lifeboat men enough' and that the lifeboat film ‘was amazing!
They also said, “It's been a great honour to be part of the
Soroptimist Club and we have been very pleased to have made
good friendships here.” |
The
Mosaic contains images in its design.
It
has different sections from the top is Motherhood sisterhood
and childhood.
Then
love and care in the community then the promotion of reading
and education followed by promoting healthy eating there is
the open book with the years of our club shown and a teacup
and saucer because of all the coffee mornings we have in the
year.
Then
the Doves of peace holding the olive branch and the oak branch
(On our insignia) and the light of the world behind below
that a small reflection of Brixham with the trawler and the
lighthouse.
In
its borders are flowers because of the volunteer gardening
we do and the floral arrangements that Marjorie does on our
behalf at the churches.
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