Cannock Soroptimists were thrilled when club member Dr Janis Lomas had a book published very recently. The book, ‘The History of Women in 100 Objects’ was written in collaboration with Professor Maggie Andrews and was featured in a national newspaper on International Women’s Day. It contains fascinating articles and pictures on such objects as the washing machine, sanitary towels, Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management and the scolds bridle! The 100 objects tell the tale of women and womanhood and symbolize the journey of women from second-class citizens with no legal rights, no vote and no official status to the people they are today. Some of the items oppressed women – maybe some still do that today. The launch was held at the Redditch Needle Museum on March 10th having been postponed earlier because of the weather conditions. Both women are historians specialising in Women’s

President Val Jones welcomed members to the final speaker meeting of her year in office. The speaker for the occasion was Graham White talking about the amazing transformation of his large garden plot into a stunning horticultural vision, which won him and his wife Judy a highly recommended place in the National Garden Scheme (NGS). With no previous experience he overcame the formidable obstacles of a steep embankment leading down into a swamp and small stream. He achieved this this with wife Judy – along with the muscle power of three teenage sons! They moved into their home in Uttoxeter 26 years ago and spent the first 17 years creating the garden which is now open to the public each year through the NGS. It was a fascinating and entertaining story which everyone thoroughly enjoyed – and the end result shown with some super photos

Cannock Soroptimists held a very successful coffee morning to raise funds for Cannock’s Special Needs Adventure Playgound – SNAP – located on the Pye Green Road. It is the only facility of its kind in the area, families come from all over the County and beyond to use it. Soroptimists have had an involvement with SNAP over many years and they were delighted to host this event for them. Nearly 50 people went along to the coffee morning held at the home of Soroptimist Trish Mellor; members and their friends and families were incredibly generous by donating cakes, raffle prizes and items for the bring and buy stall. As well as enjoying a morning of friendship everyone who went along was equally generous with the raffle and the bring and buy and a fabulous sum of £510.00 was raised!! Bob Heighway, Chair of SNAP, came

President Val Jones was delighted to induct a new member into the Cannock Soroptimist Club recently. She is Olivia Lyons, a young woman in her 20s whom President Val has known for a number of years. Olivia has attended several meeting and events as a guest and felt this organisation was the right one for her to join to enable her to pursue interests with other like minded women. Olivia lives in Rugeley where she was educated; it was whilst doing her Duke of Edinburgh award at Fair Oak School she realized she had a passion to assist and help others. She built on this at University, spending any spare time volunteering alongside various community groups, particularly helping the vulnerable. She was elected President of the Raise and Give Society (RAG) whose sole purpose was to arrange and fundraise for various charities through fun and

President of SI Cannock, Val Jones, is proud of her Scottish heritage and invited members and friends to celebrate this with her at a Burns Night, celebrated all over the world, showing the on-going influence of Rabbie Burns. The evening was well attended with everyone making a particular effort to support Val by wearing something tartan – whether clothing, a sash or a ribbon; some even managed to locate white heather or the purple thistle! The tables were decorated with tartan ribbons to continue the celebration. President Val performed the Selkirk Grace and the “Address To The Haggis’ in true Scots style before everyone enjoyed a meal which included the choice of haggis, Scottish beef or Scottish salmon followed by traditional Scottish desserts, all prepared and served wonderfully by staff at the Barns Hotel. After the meal President Val ensured that everyone could toast the

This year Cannock Soroptimists again supported the Pathway Project by providing Christmas gifts such as clothing, beauty packs, toys & games for women and children who will be spending Christmas in the refuge run by the Pathway Project for women victims of domestic violence. The donated gifts filled two cars and the gifts, together with wrapping paper and all the trimmings, were gratefully accepted by staff from Pathway. On Christmas morning the women and children will be able to open gifts specially chosen for them, knowing that they are being thought of – and hopefully this will help them a little at such an emotional time of year. Some members of SI Cannock recently attended the Pathway AGM and were moved to hear stories from the women who are domestic violence victims and who have benefitted from the services provided by Pathway. The stories heard

Cannock Soroptimists enjoyed a double military presentation at their November speaker meeting with two speakers, Colonel Richard Logan, Commandant of the Staffordshire Army Cadets and Cadet Staff Sgt Rachel Humphries, who has recently been awarded the prestigious honour of “Lord Lieutenant Cadet”. Listeners were surprised to learn that Army Cadets belong to one of the oldest and largest youth volunteer organisations in the country: it is now 150 years old and there are currently over 39,000 cadets, all aged between 13 and 18 years. Girls were first admitted in the 1980s, in fact Rugeley was the first detachment nationally to take girls! Today 30% of cadets are girls. Although many activities have a military theme many do not, all are designed to develop life skills, and especially develop confidence. It is inclusive, many youngsters who become cadets deal with a variety of disabilities and learning

Action on Postpartum Psychosis [APP] is one of the charities being highlighted this year by President Val Jones, Cannock Soroptimists.  It is a small and little known charity; in fact, prior to President Val naming it only 3 members of the club had ever heard of it! The condition Postpartum Psychosis is actually as common as Down’s Syndrome and one of the aims of the charity is to raise public awareness of the condition: Postpartum Psychosis is a frightening and devastating form of postnatal mental illness. Jocelyn Ellams, a volunteer for APP and someone who suffered from the condition herself following the birth of her son, gave a most interesting, emotional and enlightening presentation to club members. APP is run by health experts and by those who have suffered from the condition, they have 700 members. Some facts about PP are: PP is the most

Cannock Soroptimists are preparing for Christmas! But not just for themselves: as in previous years, club members do what they can to provide a better Christmas for some of those who may be in some sort of need this year. They provide Christmas gifts for the women and children who will be living in a refuge run by the Pathway Project for women victims of domestic violence over the festive period.  They send along toys, games, clothing, books, toiletries, jewellery – the recipients of the gifts are always touched that there are people thinking of them at this time. Soroptimist Carole Holdcroft will coordinate the club’s preparation, cooking and serving of a Christmas Dinner in December for those who use the Soup Kitchen in Mill Street Cannock. They fund a large part of this meal too and usually serve over 50 meals, complete with all

Val Jones, President of Soroptimist International of Cannock held a cocktail party at her home; club members and friends enjoyed an evening of fellowship whilst discovering how to mix cocktails.  30 people attended, mixed mocktails and shook cocktails with a flourish, a cherry and an umbrella! The evening raised funds for the SI Emergency Fund and for one of President Val’s chosen charities: Action on Puerperal Psychosis. The International Emergency Fund ensures there are always funds available for use when disaster strikes, wherever in the world that might be. Funds are usually donated via a Soroptimist club near to such a disaster area, often used to purchase materials which are needed to help the people in distress. The raffle held on the night raised £90.00 which will be donated to this Soroptimist Fund.  Other monies raised on the night will form part of the donation to