Last Tuesday, SI Tenby president Iris Davies was delighted to hand over the presidency to Mary Megarry. This took place at the annual handover dinner at the Giltar Hotel, with Joyce Walker, president of Tenby Inner Wheel, as the club’s guest for the evening.

Immediately prior to the handover dinner, the various club officials were able to report on SI Tenby’s achievements throughout the year. A wide range of charity events had been organised by social secretary Pam Maggs and SI Tenby’s treasurer Pat Matthews was able to report that a considerable amount had been raised throughout the year. This would be largely donated to president Iris’s chosen charities, The British Heart Foundation and Tenovus, but funds had also been collected for various local charities.

Secretary Sonia Evans next gave a very detailed and interested overview of the many activities involving SI Tenby during president Iris’s year of office, culminating in a highly-successful charity fashion show in aid of Tenovus featuring fashion items from Edida J from Newcastle Emlyn.

Finally, programme action officer Eleanor Parker and programme action coordinator Dr. Anne Kelly gave a summary of the club’s various projects. Eleanor described the club’s brief but rewarding initiative last October involving Tenby Guides in order to raise awareness of modern slavery. She also thanked Marjorie Piper for her support for Doctor Debbie’s work in the Karl Bremer Hospital in South Africa. Not only did Marjorie help to knit a large number of hats for premature babies, and encourage others to do so, she also hosted Debbie during her stay in Pembrokeshire.

Dr. Kelly then gave a very detailed account of SI Tenby’s ongoing work throughout the year to combat modern slavery. This included participation in the police display tent at the County Show, delivering presentations to both the Kingsmoor and Dinbych WI groups and receiving a certificate of commendation for SI Tenby’s work from Tenby’s Mayor. Dr. Kelly has represented the club on the Dyfyd-Powys Police Forum for modern slavery at each quarterly meeting and several club members have been invited to attend a training day at police headquarters next June. Money has also been raised for BAWSO and the Salvation Army, the first providers in Wales for the victims of modern slavery.

Dr. Kelly concluded by saying that there is still much to done to tackle this heinous crime - there have been over a hundred referrals of slavery victims in Wales in the past year and the number will continue to grow, as this is a crime that in sight, but not seen.

President Iris thanked everyone for their reports. Members then enjoyed a delicious meal in the hotel restaurant. SI Tenby would like to thank Malcolm, Patrick and their staff for the wonderful hospitality on this and every occasion when the club meet at the Giltar Hotel.