Sue Arnold, Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire was the speaker at a recent meeting of Cannock Soroptimists. President Val Jones introduced her saying that she was a ‘Woman of Power’ who would talk about ‘Women as Victims’, her theme for the year. Sue has been Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner (DPCC) since 2012; part of her portfolio is ‘Victims’ considering in particular how they are treated and the support mechanisms available to them. When she first looked into this there were 60,000 victims of crime in the County but support was being offered to only 23,000 – the type of crime dictated whether or not support was offered and Sue could see this was unfair. Her work with several agencies meant that the Victim Gateway was launched ensuring support is available to every victim of crime in Staffordshire.  Additional services are available for victims of

Members of Cannock Soroptimist International were delighted to be able to present a cheque for £250.00 to the Pathway Project which gives help and advice to women victims of domestic violence. The money was ‘earned’ by club members acting as marshals for the Staffordshire Ironman 2016. Six club members joined Rotarians from the district to marshal points along the 56 mile bike ride. Several athletes participating donated some of their sponsorship to charities nominated by the marshals.  This was co-ordinated by Rotary and the charities benefited had to fulfil certain criteria. Cannock Soroptimists were really pleased to be able to provide support and encouragement to the athletes whilst ensuring a charity close to their hearts would benefit. Hayley Cliff, Deputy Director of Pathway, accepted the cheque from Immediate Past President of SI Cannock & District, Carole Holdcroft.   Photo:  l to r: Soroptimist June Bould;

Cannock Soroptimists held a very successful Quiz night at the Barns recently.  The quiz was one of the events planned to raise funds for Pathway, the local project providing support and refuge to women victims of domestic violence.  Club President, Val Jones, chose Pathway as one of the local charities for the year. The club continues to provide toiletries, gifts for birthdays and Christmas and household goods for when the women are in a position to be re-housed. The quiz, organised by Soroptimist June Bould, this year attracted 14 teams – from Soroptimists, Rotarians, Hednesford Lions, 41 Club, and many other friends.  Chris Wardle was quiz master – and in case of dispute – his answer was final!!  All of the teams did well and there was a lively and friendly atmosphere; the winning team was ‘Balmer’s Bunch’, they each won a bottle of wine. 

Cannock Soroptimists were delighted to welcome two new members at their last Business meeting. President Val Jones inducted Jackie Prince and Marion Taylor as members, telling each one that she is now a member of Soroptimist International, a worldwide organisation of members with a common goal in transforming the lives of women and girls. President Val continued by saying that she hoped that in joining us, as we work towards our objectives, Jackie and Marion will find a sense of purpose and achievement, as well as the friendship and support of fellow members. President Val added that she was proud of the success the Club has had in attracting new members particularly when, in today’s society, women have many competing demands and pressures upon them. Marion has spent her working life in pharmacy departments and is now retired.  Jackie has worked for West Midlands Police

Early on Sunday morning, 17th June, 4 members of Cannock Soroptimists were in position near to Chasewater to marshal the first part of the bike ride section of the Staffordshire Ironman 70.3.  Competitors had completed the one and a half mile swim in Chasewater and begun the 56 mile bike ride on their way to Shugborough where they ran a half marathon! Soroptimists had joined members of Rotary clubs to help to marshal the event last year and found it so worthwhile they decided to do it again this year. It was a great experience being part of such an event, directing the riders and cheering them on. The competitors were so appreciative of the job all of the volunteer marshals do, shouting out their thanks or sharing a joke about the day and the weather – which this year was fabulous – all blue

Cannock Soroptimists meeting was on the evening of the dreadful terrorist attack in Manchester and their first thoughts were for the victims and their families. Members remembered them as the friendship candle was lit; Lynne Tuckley said: “On such an horrific day for our country, we are grateful for friendship everywhere”. When Jill Gooch said grace she said that this awful happening reminded us all of how transient life is and that whilst remembering the people of Manchester in our prayers we should also reflect on our own lives and be grateful for our friends and family. After the meal, President Val Jones introduced the first speaker of her year in office: Colonel Chris Comport, whose topic was The Army Benevolent Fund – the Soldiers Charity. During his often light hearted talk he managed to pass on some serious and important information about the work of

As Carole Holdcroft came to the end of her year as President of SI of Cannock she was delighted to be able to make a further donation to Pathway, in particular to the refuge they run for women victims of Domestic Violence.  Members have been donating Easter Eggs which have now been taken to the Pathway Project and on Easter Day the children living in the refuge will all be given the chocolate eggs. Making the decision to leave an abusive home is never easy, leaving with your children makes it even more of a huge decision.  As well as caring for the women, Pathway takes care of the children, doing all that they can to make this traumatic time in their lives more bearable.  Having little treats like receiving chocolate eggs at Easter is just one way of bringing normality and also some pleasure.

At the Soroptimist International, Cannock & District AGM in April President Carole Holdcroft handed over the chain of office to new President Val Jones.Val began her year by saying that she had a really hard act to follow and commended Carole on the excellent way she had led and enthused club members during the year.  She said that as a relatively new Soroptimist [she has been a member of the club for almost 5 years] she stands in awe of the club’s more experienced members and will be looking to them to work with her and advise her during the coming year.  She then presented out-going President Carole with her Past President’s badge and with a beautiful arrangement of yellow flowers. Val recently retired from a full time career in the NHS having qualified as a nurse, midwife and health visitor and is now doing

As Carole Holdcroft came to the end of her year as President of SI of Cannock she was delighted to be able to make a further donation to Pathway, in particular to the refuge they run for women victims of Domestic Violence.  Members have been donating Easter Eggs which have now been taken to the Pathway Project and on Easter Day the children living in the refuge will all be given the chocolate eggs.   Making the decision to leave an abusive home is never easy, leaving with your children makes it even more of a huge decision.  As well as caring for the women, Pathway takes care of the children, doing all that they can to make this traumatic time in their lives more bearable.  Having little treats like receiving chocolate eggs at Easter is just one way of bringing normality and also some

Repair Fistula, restore dignity: the watchword of the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For over 20 years Cannock Soroptimists have supported this endeavour and recently they invited Jean Hadley, a trustee of the charity Hamlin Fistula UK, to talk to them and bring them up to date with the work. Jean, who actively promotes the work of the hospital and the charity and who visits Ethiopia at least once every year, began by outlining the beginnings: Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin went to Ethiopia in 1959 in answer to an advert for gynaecologists to work there. Whilst there they discovered that so many young girls were suffering from Fistula [a childbirth injury], the majority of them were shunned and made to live alone because of the offensive condition. The girls had been married whilst still in puberty, were pregnant very soon and their