Two new blue plaques are to be unveiled in Cannock Town Centre – they are ‘alternative Blue Plaques’, otherwise known as ‘Rosie’s Plaques’. But what are Rosie’s Plaques? They began as a guerrilla art project staged by women of The Common Lot in Norwich. They realised that the majority of Blue Plaques in the country recognise men, whilst women, who have also done things for the good of our communities and our country, were largely forgotten. In 2019 just 14% of blue plaques celebrated the achievements of women. Soroptimist clubs of Midland Chase Region decided to get involved and last year Cannock club, made their Rosie’s Plaques. One of them recognises a woman without whom there would be no hospital in Cannock: Ethell Powell. Whilst she received an MBE in recognition of her work and is recognised within the hospital itself, it seemed appropriate to

  Research shows that reading for pleasure can do many things: promote better health and wellbeing, help to build social connections and relationships with others and of course, aid learning. Children’s reading for pleasure is threatened … as many children do not have books of their own; there are many reasons for this. For the last 5 years Cannock Soroptimists have been actively supporting Rotary Books4Home. This is a project run by Rotary Alumni 1210 working throughout Staffordshire, Shropshire and The Black Country. Rotary Books4Home works with schools to gift pre-read books to children. The youngsters choose a book, take it home, read it, enjoy sharing with their family and friends and many for the first time, get to keep a book of their very own forever. From time to time, the Soroptimists run a community campaign in order to boost the stock held by

  Photo attached Soroptimist Caryn Hewitt with Joan and Rosie   Who knew that finding a hedgehog called Spike would lead to 23 years of dedication and a hedgehog charity for Joan Lockley! Joan spoke to members of S.I. Cannock and District recently explaining how her charity ‘West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue’ which started in her back garden, now continues with volunteers from around Staffordshire and the West Midlands helping to continue the amazing work this lady does. Members now know what to do should they find a hedgehog or hoglets out during the day as they are nocturnal. They also know not to give them milk but make sure fresh water is available especially during hot weather. Everyone was thrilled to meet Rosie, Joan’s blind hedgehog who can never be released into the wild unlike the approximately 800 Joan hopes will be released after lots

    Cannock Soroptimists front row l to r: Pat Stanley, Trish Smith, Caryn Hewitt & Tracey Stokes with some of the items for the Buddy Bags; behind them Buddy Bag Foundation Ambassador John Wilson.   Cannock Soroptimists have supported the Buddy Bag Foundation for many years. They were pleased to welcome their Ambassador John Wilson to their July meeting to update them on their work. They help children all over the country who have to leave their homes because it isn’t safe for them to stay. These are emergency, unplanned situations when mothers and children leave home with nothing more than what they are wearing at the time and are taken into Refuge care. Each child is given an age appropriate Buddy bag which contains pyjamas, underwear, toiletries, note book and pens/pencils,  a book and book mark – and the very important teddy bear.

  Lead Team President Carole was very pleased to award long-standing member Jill Gooch with her 40-year certificate of dedication to Soroptimist International of Cannock and District. Jill has been a very active member over the years, especially using her artistic and organisational skills to arrange many of the club’s annual dinners. In her forty years of service, she has been Club President twice as well as minutes secretary. Jill has always embraced and supported the many projects of the club over the years and everyone at the club is looking forward to many more years of friendship and service from our dedicated sister! Photo above: l to r: Jill Gooch receives her certificate from Lead Team president Carole Holdcroft

Cannock Soroptimists recently collected items of clothing for women in need at New Cross Hospital Maternity Unit.  The club set up the campaign which was advertised on Social Media, in the press and of course by word of mouth from all club members.  Some members of the Club had donation boxes outside their homes whilst other members were happy to collect donations if needed. They were simply overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of local people who not only donated nearly new items which had been requested but also many brand new items as well as cash donations. Tracey Stokes, the Club’s Programme Action Officer, has been liaising with Rebecca Emery who is part of the Specialist Midwifery Team. Rebecca said:  “The specialist midwifery team support women with complex social needs.  The women are referred to the team for a variety of reasons including substance

 The new Soroptimist year began in April and for the coming twelve months Cannock Club members are sharing chairing the meetings.  The most recent meeting was chaired by Tracey Stokes, the Club’s Programme Action Officer.  Tracey had the privilege of inducting two new members into the Club, ably assisted by Membership Officer, Jill Mason. Anne Bumford and Chrissy Whereat have been to several Cannock Soroptimist events with friends or in their roles within other Voluntary clubs in the area and have become more and more interested in all that we do – so much so that they said they would like to be considered for membership! Chrissy has a background in Accountancy whilst Anne had a career in nursing.  Both are members of other clubs where they have taken on many roles between them, including Chair and Speaker Secretary as well as organising many events

Members and friends of S.I. Cannock and District passed a fun filled Saturday evening recently enjoying a Beetle Drive followed by a fish and chip supper. The evening was planned to help raise the final funding required for the marble plinths being made to support the 2 Rosie’s Plaques that were made by club members last year. One of the plaques celebrates Ethel Powell of Cannock Hospital League of Friends who worked tirelessly to bring the breast screening unit to Cannock Hospital . The other commemorates and honours the work of Cannock Soroptimists over the last 70 years since the founding of the club. The plaques will be positioned on the plinths in Cannock Town Centre, near to the clock A raffle was held on the night made up of bottle bags filled with mystery items, not all of them bottles! A prize was also awarded

Last week, SI Cannock & District welcomed Helen Fisher – recently retired Staffordshire Deputy Commissioner for Police, Fire Rescue and Crime – to their meeting. Born locally, Helen has served her community for many years as a Town, District and County Councillor before she took up the role of Deputy Commissioner in 2021. Helen recounted the different phases of her life; as a teenager her musical prowess on keyboards lead to her performing in local venues and working in the musical instruments department in a local department store. She later taught music at home before setting up a successful car repairs business with her then husband that is still trading. Always interested in politics and inspired by Margaret Thatcher’s election as Prime Minister, Helen joined the local Conservative party in the late 90s and in 2007 was elected to Burntwood Town Council where she served

Cannock and District Soroptimists held their Annual Charter Dinner this month at the Moat House Hotel, Acton Trussel. This year was particularly special as the club was celebrating its 70th Birthday.  Guests enjoyed a wonderful meal in beautiful surroundings, followed by entertainment provided by the fabulous Lola Lamour. Club President Carole Holdcroft welcomed guests from other clubs within the S I Midland Chase Region, Cannock Rotary and Probus. She extended a special welcome to ladies who had travelled from S I Port Talbot with whom Cannock has strong friendship links. Speakers who proposed toasts to the club highlighted the dramatic changes which had taken place over those 70 years, particularly for women. In 1955 women generally stayed at home and had traditional roles and did not have the educational and career opportunities they have today. Soroptimists around the world have contributed to those social changes