This time capsule was comissioned by the Soroptomist Bangor and District Club to mark their 50th anniversary in 1998. Items representing the activities of the club over the past 50 years were placed in the capsule and then sealed. It is planned to re-open the capsule again in 25 years’ time, and again when 50 years have passed.
The capsule was designed and created by Simon Temblett, who studied graphic design at Parc Menai College. It depicts branches of a tree, supporting an egg. The tree represents Mother Earth and the past and the egg is a symbol of the future. This seemed to be an appropriate design to mark the milestone of the club moving into the new millennium.
Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement, founded in 1921, and has UN status. Today, there are nearly 3000 Soroptimist Clubs throughout the world. The name Soroptimist was taken from the Latin ‘Soror’ meaning sister, and ‘optima’ meaning best. Soroptimist is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Soroptimist International Bangor and District was chartered in 1948 under the presidency of Mrs Gladys Emyr Hughes. The first Vice Presidents were Lady Artemus Jones and Miss Marian Beaumont. The sponsor club was Soroptimist International Chester.
In its first year, the Bangor and District Club immediately went into action by collecting signatures for a petition ‘that women be allowed to sit in the House of Lords’ and gifting a rocking horse (cost £4.00) to the Children’s Ward of the C&A Hospital in Bangor. For 75 years, Bangor Soroptimists have been very active in the local community supporting the NHS and many local charities and organisations. The club has a monthly meeting with visiting speakers and, in addition to fundraising events have a range of informal social events.
The time capsule is on display in the Community case as part of the exhibition to celebrate the club’s 75th anniversary.