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Susie Cattley writes: "We were joined by Fay Cori, who stayed here at Oyster Quay with Di and me, which was wonderful. At one point, we managed to have 7 Chatliners assembled together: Mayne Sundewell-Hopkins, Janet Bettison, May Carr, Sylvia Bedbrook, Fay Cori, Di Stockwell and me - quite a gathering of Chatliners!
"The weekend was themed round Plymouth's Naval Heritage, with visits to the our Naval Heritage Centre and Museum, and Buckland Abbey, the home of Sir Francis Drake, a brilliant local sailor and 16th Century global circumnavigator, who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, and became Queen Elizabeth I's favourite adventurer. There were also visits to The Mayflower Steps, from where in 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers set sail in The Mayflower, to settle in America. There was also a tour of The Plymouth Gin Distillery, a drive across Dartmoor, (our local National Park) and, of course, lots of eating opportunities! "The highlight of our weekend was a banquet in the Officer's Wardroom at HMS Drake, which is decorated with beautiful models of famous Naval sailing ships, (see photos below), The Dinner was attended by 120 Soroptimists and partners, who came from far and near, and the Lord Mayor of Plymouth and his wife. The Lady Mayoress wore the fabulous Astor Diamonds, which were donated to the City of Plymouth by Nancy, Lady Astor, who was a founder member of SI Plymouth, and the first woman to become a Member of Parliament."
Sylvia Bedbrook sent these photos of the wardroom of HMS Drake:
"I suggested that Sylvia Bedbrook sends you some photographs she took at SI Plymouth's recent 73rd Anniversary Friendship Weekend.
Sylvia tells more about the Royal Naval Barracks, HMS Drake, Plymouth:
"The Royal Naval Barracks at Keyham was commenced on January 12th 1880. It comprised two accommodation blocks, a drill shed and house for the Commodore. In 1898 the Barracks was extended by the addition of an Officers' Wardroom.
"The custom of holding an annual "Drake's Dinner" was started in the wardroom on July 31st 1933 and at the Dinner it was suggested that the barracks be named HMS Drake and the new cap ribbons were issued on January 20th 1934.
"Plymouth Soroptimists were very fortunate to be given permission to hold their President's Annual Dinner in this historic site. As seen from the photographs, it shows the whole splendour of the room. It was certainly an occasion to remember!"
PS: SI Plymouth has big plans to celebrate it's 75th Anniversary in 2005, so stay tuned, and book early to avoid disappointment!
Chatliner Sylvia Bedbrook is the Webmaster of the Website of SI Plymouth & District at http://www.plymsorop.org.uk/ and Chatliners Di Stockwell, Susie Cattley and May Carr assist Sylvia.
On the photo on the right
Mayne is showing off Finger Puppets sold in aid of South
Africa's AIDS Chatline project (she got the finger puppets from Kate Moore).
Mayne is wearing the AIDS bead badge, also sold to raise funds for the SI Lion's Head AIDS orphans, Zandile and Busiswe Mntlaka.
For more about this Project click here {Will open in a new window}
