Full report to follow.

Immediate Past President Gerry Phillips hands over the Chain of Office to Gill Palin

President Gerry and SI Nantwich have had a busy time over Christmas and New Year, not only fund raising for our President’s charity – the NSPCC – but also having fun and friendship, a very important aspect of our club.

It is customary for SI Nantwich to support our Women’s Refuge all year round, but especially at Christmas, and this year we made up nine sets of new fluffy bathrobes and slippers together with extra toiletries.  These are always very acceptable items of luxury for the women at the refuge.

After Christmas one of our members, Jacquie Weatherill, travelled to South Africa with 3 members of SI Birkenhead Club and visited the project supported by SI Birkenhead.  Nantwich Club responded magnificently in contributing to the appeal for clothes for young women, and also baby clothes, and half of Jacquie’s luggage was taken up with these items – all 11 kilos!   It did mean, of course, that there was then space for many purchases on the return journey!!

In mid January two of our members, Helen and Sue, flew to Cambodia to work for the charity “Teams 4 You”, teaching Games in several schools, together with basic hygiene,  and once again, SI Nantwich responded magnificently to an appeal for items to be taken out.  News and pictures of this soon.

At New Year,  28 Soroptimists and Soroptimisters enjoyed a delicious 3 course lunch at a local Italian restaurant in Nantwich, accompanied by some very fine wines, (of course!) to start the year in great style

Also in January, SI Nantwich organised it’s 4^th Bridge Drive, and 98 enthusiastic bridge players had a very enjoyable afternoon.  £700 was made for our President’s 2 charities – the NSPCC and Childline.  One of our Soroptimisters very kindly directed the Bridge Drive and members helped served tea and run a raffle.

Jacquie Weatherill and members of the Communications  Committee.

Despite the heavy rain, candles were lit to support women and girls worldwide, who suffer violence and are victims of trafficking.

Representatives from two local Women’s Institutes, Inner Wheel, Girls Out Loud and South Cheshire College joined us, completing a very moving ceremony.

Brenda Morris

Programme Action Chair

Braving the inclement weather – club members and other women’s and girls’ organisations on Nantwich Town Square

For the first 6 months of our club year SI Nantwich &
District has been working to support International Charities. We were thrilled
to raise £1000 for Project Sierra in June. In July we decided to help Soroptimist
club SI Karachi Central. The club was working with young women who had been
displaced by the severe flooding of 2010. SI Karachi arranged a skills training
project teaching the girls jewellery making and beadwork. We supported the
project by purchasing beaded key rings.

We sold 200 key rings and gave the profit back to Pakistan
to help Dr Talat Pasha, APD and FPAC country representative for Pakistan in her
project to LIGHT UP THE VILLAGES WITH SOLAR POWER. These are villages in Sindh
Province destroyed by the devastating floods of 2010 & 2011

The photograph shows members of SI Nantwich presenting cheque
to Dr Talat for her work, In total £450 was raised.

We were then treated to two after-dinner entertainments by club members- Brenda Morris, who had written amusing poems about some of our members, and Helen Piddock Jones, who even managed to get us singing an altered version of ‘My Favouite Things’ (with huge apologies to Julie Andrews).

It could be said that it was a relaxed, happy – and well fed – group of people who left the Hotel that evening. Our thanks go to all those behind the scenes who made it a successful and enjoyable occasion.

The following facts show how important this project is:
10% of people over 75 don’t go out at all
1 million over 65 year olds feel trapped in their own home
Older women are twice as likely to feel more trapped than men
42% of older people do not have access to a car
37% live alone

S I Nantwich members have surveyed parts of Nantwich, Crewe and Alsager looking for seats both in and out of shops. We found that there is usually adequate outdoor seating (if you can reach it) so you can go out if the weather is good, but inside shops, chairs are lacking, particularly from those shops which elderly people really need to use. Alternatively you can pay to sit, for example by having a coffee in a cafe, but not everyone can afford this option.

Members of Soroptimist International throughout our region of Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral have all surveyed parts of their own towns and villages and data has been collected on the number and types of shops with seating. Also the positions of public seating in relation to sheltered and elderly person’s housing and the shops. An interim report entitled “Where have all the Chairs Gone?” has been published and will be used in lobbying for better seating provision.
The beauty of this project is that all members can participate. We can make a real difference with simple action and in doing so we can raise the profile of Soroptimism both locally and nationally. It is also an opportunity to work in partnership with other agencies such as Age Concern, local authorities and with the business community.

On 31 March in Nantwich park, the first of seven benches was installed. This is part of our “Where have all the chairs gone?” campaign. The rest of the benches are due to be sited in various locations in Nantwich and Crewe. Lots of Soroptimists, their friends and local councillors were present in spite of the cold, wet weather. Also present were the family of Linda Bond, whose idea it was that more seating should be available for those who have difficulty with mobility.

This is just the latest step in the campaign. President Kath thanked everyone including the councillors for all their hard work.

On 8^th July the Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral Region presented a special hand crafted bench to the Eisteddfod to be used on days when they are holding events. This is part of the “Where have all the chairs gone?” campaign which was started by Nantwich and District Soroptimist Club.

The original idea for this project came from Linda Bond and a plaque in her memory has been added to the bench. Linda’s family were at the presentation, with Soroptimists from Nantwich; the former Regional President Mair Jones and Terry Waite.

The “Where have all the chairs gone?” campaign is continuing to produce more seating and help those who need it.

On 26th May a number of Nantwich Soroptimists came together to tidy up and plant new plants at the Memorial Garden at St Mary’s Church, Nantwich. Here they are working hard and having fun.