Heavy showers did not dampen the spirits of the Soroptimists and friends who visited Dowthorpe Hall at Skirlaugh on June 27th. The house and farm are mentioned in the Domesday Book. The Holtby family has worked the land at Dowthorpe Hall since 1890. Our guide was Mrs. Caroline Holtby who has lived in the Hall for the last 25 years and has been responsible for much of the garden development. The gardens extend over about three and a half acres with a pond, swimming pool s, herbaceous borders, a scree garden and a vegetable garden. Some areas are left to wildlife and birds and it was here that we saw some bee orchids in flower. Mrs Holtby uses all the produce from the orchard and vegetable gardens, making chutneys, jams, soups and damson gin.             The visit concluded with a

President Jenny welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the new programme. The Guest Speaker was our own member Liz Lyle who gave an illustrated talk on her visit to Ghana in February. Liz went to Ghana with Helen Hyams (ex SI Malton, now a member of SI Scarborough.) Helen is a recently retired paediatric physiotherapist and both she and Liz went under the auspices of Jacob’s Well Appeal to teach Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT), with the objective of making supportive chairs from cardboard for four cerebral palsy children. Without these simple chairs, the children would spend their lives laid on the floor or settee. The Scottish based charity Cerebral Palsy Africa, provided the third member of the team, Marian, a Dutch Occupational Therapist and organised their flight to Accra. They then travelled in a small plane to Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana.

                                          2017-18 Programme May 10                    Talk by Liz Lyle on the Ghana Project 24                             Talk by Chris Clark on Bradford Schools PA Project June 14                    Evening Regional Council Meeting/ Wetherby 27                    Visit to Dowthorpe Hall Gardens, Skirlaugh £5.50 28                    Talk by Val Hills our Federation Councillor July 1                      Yorkshire Conference / Sheffield 12                    Talk by Freetown Society on the Schools exchange 26                    Talk by the Meru Gardens Project Ambassadors August 7                      Supper at IPP Trish Porter’s September 13                    Talk by Lee Karen Stowe, on the Hull Poppy Project 16                    RCM /Richmond 27                    Programme Action (P.A.} activity, Ideas for International Women’s Day,(IWD) October 11                    Talk by Jacqui Warrington jewellery maker 25                    Business, Motions for Conference 27-28               Federation

The AGM was held on 26th April.  President Trish welcomed two new members to the club. The retiring Secretary, Treasurer and the members of the Executive committee were thanked for their contributions and support throughout the year.  The Past President badge was presented to Trish and flowers to Anne. Liz Hallett who had organised the successful fundraisers was given a floral basket in recognition of the outstanding contribution she has made to a very successful year. The Executive Committee members for the next year will be: Secretary – Liz Lyle Treasurer – Barbara Evamy Programme Action Officer – Jenny Heppenstall Membership Officer – Trish Porter Fundraising Officer – Liz Hallett Communication Officer – Chris Davidson Regional Representative – to November – Andrea Hunt, from November – Sue Bates In a surprise announcement, Jenny Heppenstall will be our President for the year 2017-18.   The photograph

At their Cheque Presentation evening on 12th April, members celebrated a successful year of programme action and fundraising events. As a result of coffee mornings, social suppers, tombola stall, fashion show and garage sale, the Club have been able to donate to a range of deserving causes. The Guide Dog Association received £760, Beverley Social Club for those with Learning Difficulties benefited from £100 donation as did the Kate Goddard Memorial Schoralship in Linkoping Sweden. Two local girls received sponsorship for their educational projects, and £158 was donated to the Meru Garden Project . This year, President Trish’s Charity was the Da Vinci Robotic Machine at Castle Hill Hospital.  A remarkable donation of £4005 was raised  by club members and presented on the evening.  The photograph shows President Trish delivering the cheque to representatives of the Castle Hill Oncology Department. tartAs well as fundraising, The

In the last event of the year, Beverley and District Soroptimists, led by Liz Hallett and supported by friends, held their most successful fund raiser to date.  Neighbours around the village were invited to open their garages or book a table in the village hall to sell all those items for which they no further use.  A team  of ladies manned(!) the kitchen serving snacks and lunches. Others persuaded the many visitors to buy raffle tickets, knitted items and bric a brac.  More than thirty garages were open and a dozen table tops offered everything from jewellery to art work.  One group of very young ladies had made hair ribbons and slides to sell on the day. Future Soroptimists for sure! The monies raised  on this occasion will be added to the amount already raised, and donated to the President’s Charity at the end of the

Members of the club have been fund raising this year for the Da Vinci Robot machine at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham. The £2million machine was bought by a local business man and is being used to treat patients who have either prostate or bowel cancer. The machine has not been taken over by the NHS although it is used to treat NHS patients. The current funding is by donations and fund raising. Each robotic arm can be used only15 times and then needs replacing at a cost of £950.   A chocolate tombola was held in Beverley market on March 24th which raised £165. Pictured setting up the stall are: Gill Fawcett, Sue Bates, Anne Lane & Liz Lyle       On March 17th a most successful fashion show was held at Tickton Village Hall featuring outfits from The Beverley Dresser, Basler at Browns,

S I Beverley and District President Trish presented Club member Liz with a brooch in recognition of her year as President of S I Yorkshire for 2015-2016.  

Members of S I Beverley and District, once again, showed their support for the work that Home Start Goole do in working with families in their area. Cakes and biscuits of all shapes and sizes  were baked and donated to the group for inclusion in the hampers that were to be raffled to add to the Group’s funds. We are pleased to know that Home Start Goole have received Lottery funding to continue their work for the next few years, but additional funds are necessary if they are to reach all those who need their help.