Cannock & District Soroptimist celebrated their 67 years as a club with a dinner held at Brocton Hall Golf Club last week where President Jackie Prince was pleased to welcome a capacity 90 guests. Her theme for the year is ‘It’s what you do that counts’, the theme used by the first Soroptimist club 100 years ago and as relevant today as it was then. The room was decorated in a woodland theme to celebrate the local area of outstanding natural beauty- Cannock Chase.
Club members attended with family and friends along with fellow Soroptimists from most of the other clubs in the Region and including Midland Chase Region President Judith Carder.
The room buzzed – everyone just delighted to be able to get dressed up and spend time together again – and all safe in the knowledge that all had done a negative lateral flow test prior to attending!
After a wonderful meal and super conversation, Soroptimister Phil Hewitt gave the toast to Soroptimist International. He commended all that the worldwide organisation does and told all Soroptimists to be very proud of all that they achieve. Region President Judith responded and highlighted many of the Cannock club’s activities over the past year, saying what a creative group they are. President of SI Cannock & District Jackie proposed the toast to the guests and the response was given by Jamie Friend, High Sheriff of Staffordshire who also commended not just the Cannock club but all Soroptimists for the work they do to enable, educate, and empower women and girls. Mentioning the recent Centenary year, which has just come to an end, he asked everyone to raise a glass to the next 100 years!
President Jackie introduced her guest speaker, Lesley Smith who, she said, some may not recognise as she was there as herself rather than in costume as one of the women in history she portrays. Lesley has been a supporter of not just Cannock club but of other Soroptimist clubs in the area for many, many years.
Lesley, author, historian, presenter, curator of Tutbury Castle, was as entertaining and charismatic as she always is as she told the story of how and why she became curator of the Castle. It showed that she has never been afraid of hard work or of trying out or taking on something others might think ‘bonkers’, that she always comes up with fantastic ideas to extend, improve, build on her own knowledge as well as the popularity of Tutbury Castle. This has given her opportunities including TV all over the world for which she is grateful. Her great friend Judith Collinson was with her. Judith has been with her since she took on the Castle 22 years ago, she has been working alongside her for all of that time and their friendship is obviously very important to both of them.
Cannock Soroptimist Lynne Tuckley thanked Lesley on behalf of everyone there for all she has done over many years to entertain and help them raise funds but particularly on this occasion for sharing so much of herself with them all.
The evening was rounded off by a delighted President Jackie thanking everyone for the parts they had played and presenting pots of spring bulbs to visiting Presidents and other guests.
Photos attached: President Jackie with speaker Lesley Smith