Cannock Soroptimists celebrated their 58 years as a Club at their Annual Dinner which was held at The Barns on February 8th. Team President Eileen Cryer took the chair and welcomed almost 90 Soroptimists and guests to the evening. Mistress of Ceremonies was team President Carole Holdcroft.
David Marklew, President of the Rotary Club of Cannock, proposed the toast to Soroptimist International, commending the organisation for their work giving help and hope to women and children all over the world but particularly to Cannock & District club for the work they continue to do with Pathway and also now for their support for the local Food Banks. He spoke of his wish for service organisations to work together whenever appropriate.
Dishi Attwood, President of Midland Chase Region responded and added her congratulations to the club for the work they do locally. She mentioned particularly the lead the club has taken in the Region to raise public and professional awareness of the issue of trafficking and the grooming of young girls for the sex trade; for this reason she has asked Cannock Soroptimists to lead on the Region event on March 9th in Lichfield, when members from all region clubs will walk to Speakers Corner where there will be a short address on the issue at 12.30pm
President Eileen asked all club members to join her in a toast to the guests – friends, family and colleagues who give tremendous support to the club. The vote of thanks on behalf of the guests was given by Barry Picken, Rotary District 1210 Governor Elect. Barry said that Soroptimists had changed his life – he attended the conference the Cannock club organised in May 2012, bringing together over 100 people from a wide variety of organisations to consider the trafficking and child sex exploitation issue. It was this conference, he told everyone, which had been life changing for him: he learned so much and was so concerned about it that he began to make more investigations himself. He has now found that the West Midlands is the area in the country which sadly appears to be at the forefront in terms of statistics; he will be taking this issue as a focus within his year as Rotary District Governor, with speakers booked for the District Conference in October.
Entertainment was provided by popular singer Sharron Burns. She sang a selection of songs, including many in her famous musical comedy style which brought smiles and laughter to the room. She was thanked by Team President Lakhwinder Thompson who told her what a talented performer she is and suggested that many may like to see her next production ‘The Music Man’ at the Prince of Wales Theatre, May 15th – 18th.
President Eileen thanked the team of Soroptimists who had organised the evening and hoped that many present that evening would join them at St Luke’s Church Centre on Saturday morning, 2nd March for an event which will highlight local business women as well as services appropriate for women. It is free of charge, refreshments will be served [they are free, also] and everyone is invited.
Photo: l – r: singer Sharron Burns; SI C&D Team Presidents Eileen Cryer and Carole Holdcroft; Midland Chase Region President Dishi Attwood.