President Sandy Taylor recently installed five women as new members of Soroptimist International of Crosby. Presenting them with their badges, she welcomed them to their local club, to the worldwide organisation and to the challenge of discovering all that Soroptimism offers.

New members Trish, Jeannie, Frances, Pat and Joanne have each been assigned a mentor – existing club members who will help them settle in and take part in club activities. 

President Sandy then sprang a surprise, inviting four longstanding Crosby members to accept honorary life membership of the club. For Norma, Shirley, Pat and Jenny this honour came out of the blue – an emotional moment. 

A special guest at the meeting was SIGBI Procedural Consultant Dorothy Lee, who had opened the evening by speaking – quite coincidentally – on the topic of membership. At the close of business she congratulated SI Crosby on recruiting a batch of new members and on being such a vibrant, effective club.

One went to Ronald McDonald House and the other to the parents’ lounge in the intensive care unit. Staff were very appreciative of the gifts.

As President Sandy said, “We have donated the hampers so that families who need to stay close to their very poorly babies will have some refreshments and nibbles to enjoy.” She went on, “Our Club members have, once again, fully supported my aim that we would be of practical assistance this year to the parents of children who are in-patients at the hospital.”

Crosby’s Soroptimists crunched their way over icy pavements as, once again, they accompanied Father Christmas on his annual tour round Thornton. The members had borrowed the Rotarians’ illuminated float for a fund-raising evening in the run-up to Christmas.

Seasonal music attracted the local residents who came out to wave to Santa and drop their donations into the collecting boxes. Several even thanked the Soroptimists for venturing out on such a cold night.

Eventually everyone was able to relax over hot soup and mince pies. Then the count-up showed that the evening’s grand total exceeded £400.

Linda Glenn, Chair of the SI Crosby’s Fund-raising Committee was delighted: “Thank you to the President and members of Rotary International of Crosby for loaning us the float and helping out on the night. Plus, I must say a big thank you to the Thornton residents who, as usual, were welcoming and very generous. All the money raised will all go to local good causes supported by our club.” President Sandy added: “Our club members worked very hard on the night. It was a great team effort and – despite the cold – a lot of fun.”

The Christmas season is a busy time of year for Crosby’s Soroptimists. As usual, they helped out at several events organised by St Joseph’s Hospice (Jospice). 

At the annual Christmas fair the Soroptimists managed the kitchen to provide refreshments for stallholders and visitors. For Jospice’s two Santa Dashes the Soroptimists carried out routine admin, including registering ‘dashers’ and handing out Santa suits.

The hospice’s ‘Light Up A Life’ service is a moving occasion, as people gather to remember loved ones. On a cold (but thankfully dry evening) Crosby’s Soroptimists sold raffle tickets and threaded ‘memory stars’. They then handed out welcome refreshments at the end of the service. 

Terry Francis, SI Crosby’s Programme Action Officer, was delighted with the turnout of club members at the four events. “We have longstanding links with Jospice,” she said, “and we are always pleased to be of service. At the same time each event is an opportunity to promote Soroptimist International.”

Publicity and fundraising – Crosby’s Soroptimists have combined the two by decorating a tree in St Faith’s Church, Crosby, as part of the annual Christmas tree festival. The club’s chosen good causes for any funds raised were Sightline Vision North West and the International President’s 2011 Appeal “Birthing in the Pacific”.

In Soroptimist colours of blue and yellow, two sets of themed decorations covered the tree. Spectacles represented Sightine – a local charity that offers a telephone helpline for people and their families affected by sight loss. This is a particular interest of the club’s president, Sandy Taylor. Gingerbread babies in yellow ‘cradles’ represented the aspirations of “Birthing in the Pacific” – improved maternity services for the rural communities in Papua New Guinea. The tree was topped by the Soroptimist ‘lady’ instead of a fairy.

President Sandy said: “Our tree looked lovely – and the gingerbread babies, in particular, attracted a lot of attention. I should like to thank all members – especially Doreen and Reidunn – who prepared the tree or who ‘tree-sat’ during the festival. We also put out plenty of takeaway information about the two appeals and about our club, so I hope visitors to the church found that interesting.”

Crosby’s Soroptimists have once again supported the Backpack Project organised by Mary’s Meals. Members collected and filled 41 backpacks.

The charity sets up school feeding projects in communities where poverty, war, poverty, famine, or natural disasters prevent children from gaining an education. Mary’s Meals provides daily meals to chronically hungry children in their local school. In this way the hungry child is encouraged to attend school and, through education, gain a better future for herself and her community.  

The Backpack Project supports this. Very often families cannot afford to buy basic things like pencils and exercise books, or even suitable clothes for their children to wear to school – so their children miss out on school and an education. A simple backpack with educational materials can be a lifeline to these children as studies show that an education is the best way a chronically poor child can escape poverty in later life. The charity is nearing its milestone of a quarter of a million backpacks given to school children in Malawi, Liberia and Haiti.

Terry Francis, SI Crosby’s Programme Action Officer, said: “Soroptimist International aims to improve the lives and status of women and girls through education opportunities. Collecting and filling backpacks for Mary’s Meals is a simple but very effective way of supporting this. We combine the packing with a social event, so enjoy ourselves while helping to make a real difference to children’s lives.”

Crosby’s Soroptimists have spent time at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, working at the Ronald McDonald House. This was in line with President Sandy’s pledge that the Club would offer assistance to this facility, which is used by the families of children who are in-patients at the hospital.

At the first session, assembling a batch of freestanding lights for the parents’ bedrooms was a straightforward task – just a matter of following the instructions. Then the Soroptimists undertook an inventory of kitchen equipment to ensure that families would have enough of everything if they wanted to cater for themselves during their stay. Whether that stay is overnight, a few days, or weeks, or maybe many months - families can make themselves at home in the comfortable and well-appointed guest accommodation .

The second day involved stripping – wallpaper, that is – in one of the guestrooms. This was hard (and messy) work; and everything then had to be cleaned up. Afterwards, there was enough time to give the room its first coat of paint.

President Sandy said, “I am delighted that so many members were able to support me in fulfilling this pledge. My daughter and her partner stayed at Ronald McDonald House for six weeks while my grand-daughter was in intensive care – and I know how much they appreciated these wonderful facilities at such a difficult time. Thank you, Crosby Soroptimists.”

President Sandy Taylor laid a wreath on behalf of the club. “It is always a moving occasion.” she said, “I was very proud to take part in this act of commemoration and thanksgiving.”

Highlights included an uplifting address by Sandy Toksvig, the broadcaster and entertainer, and a thought-provoking session led by Ann Cotton from Camfed, the Campaign for Female Education, which works in Africa. 

Programme action took centre stage as clubs from all corners of the Federation showcased their project work and demonstrated how Soroptimists are making a positive impact on the lives of women and girls. In addition, workshops provided members with the opportunity to look more closely at diverse topics of interest. 

Crosby’s Soroptimists met up with members of their friendship link club, SI Bonaberi-Douala, Cameroon. They gave President Ada Kesi a substantial donation towards the club’s adult literacy project, which is working very successfully with local women. 

The 2011 conference ended with the change of insignia ceremony. The new Federation President (Maureen Maguire) and her team were installed, and Crosby club member Jenny Stanistreet relinquished her role as President of SI South Lancashire Region after her busy year in office. 

SI Crosby President Sandy said, “We all thoroughly enjoyed this conference. The programme was stimulating; there was, as usual, the chance to meet Soroptimists from all over the Federation; and the Dome itself was an impressive venue. Plus, of course, we took the opportunity to sample a few of Brighton’s eating-places. Fun, friendship and food – a winning combination.”

Crosby’s Soroptimists recently enjoyed a visit to a spectacular “Festival of Flowers” at Hoghton Tower, Lancashire. The historic site was transformed into a land of magical tales by clubs and individuals from the North West Area of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies.

From the Yellow Brick Road at the entrance to Treasure Island – via the Sleeping Beauty, Peter Rabbit, and Alice in Wonderland – everything on display was created using fresh flowers and plant material. Even Cinderella’s coach was a profusion of blossoms.

One room was devoted to Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – complete with quiddich towers, the library, a sumptuous banquet – and flying owls.

The festival exhibits were situated throughout Hoghton Tower – including in the dungeons. Members therefore had the opportunity to explore the whole historic site.

Fine weather, good company and a stunning display of floral expertise together ensured a magical day out.