John Hart, our first guest speaker of the new year talked about his life as a Zen Buddhist. He gave us a fascinating insight into the origin and evolution of Buddhism and the particular characteristics of Zen.  He showed and explained the clothing and artifacts that are used and described a typical meeting which would include a forty minute period of meditation!  Lots of questions were asked and I think members were made aware of how widespread the practice of Buddhism is in the world and this country.

Members of Beverley and District SI spent a creative afternoon decorating their tree in Beverley Minster. Some forty organisations from the town contributed to the festival by creating theme based decorations which brought a seasonal and colourful atmosphere to the beautiful building.  Soroptimists used blue and yellow tinsel, the Anti Violence bookmarks, and dynamic ‘S’ cut outs on the tree topped by ‘Sally’and these attracted a good deal of interest from the members of the public who came along to view the displays. Preparing the tree as part of the community project provided an excellent opportunity to meet with the Minster Young People’s Group whose members expressed a real interest in the Yorkshire project.

Alan Johnson, the Labour M.P. for West Hull and Hessle gave his support to the members of SI Beverley & District & SI Kingston upon Hull on 26th November, 2011. They spent the day in the St Stephen’s Square Shopping Centre, Hull, as part of the Yorkshire Soroptimist initiative to raise awareness of the dangers for young people being groomed for the sex industry. Much has been reported in the national media during the last few weeks about this growing problem. However, Soroptimists decided to use the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women as the platform for their concerns. They handed out bookmarks highlighting their ‘He loves me/Loves me not’ campaign. Pictured are: Beverley President Jennifer Heppenstall, Alan Johnson, MP, and Jackie Kirkby from the Hull club.

Pictured are members of the local club who have been collecting toiletries and making colourful drawstring bags to donate to women who have been trafficked into Britain thinking they were coming to a better life but ending up in a world of prostitution & modern day slavery. They are to be given to the City Hearts church in Sheffield for distribution.   The final figure of money raised at the recent lunch in aid of the  Yorkshire Scan Appeal is £1,000:00. Many thanks to all who so generously  supported this event.

Members and families met recently to celebrate the chartering of the club in 1966. After a very enjoyable informal lunch at the Manor Court Hotel, Carnaby, long service awards were presented by the Yorkshire Region President, Val Jenkins. A total of 205 years service were recognized; a wonderful achievement and testimony to the dedication, friendship and support given by members of this world-wide organization.   Pictured are: Gill Fawcett (25 yrs), Barbara Newton (45 yrs), Regional President Val, Kate Goddard (40 yrs), Margaret Jenkins (30 yrs), Janet Tate (25 yrs) and club President Jenny Heppenstall. Not pictured but awarded a certificate for 40 years service was Molly Kirby.

The Club welcomed Val Mickey and Elizabeth Hughes to speak about the problems faced by vulnerable youngsters and the work of the Anti Slavery Group of SI Yorkshire in combatting these situations.

Members of SI Beverley and District met in the town centre to complete the Town Trail led by Berna Moody.