At the first meeting of 2013, current Team President Lakhwinder Thompson passed the chain of office to Soroptimists Eileen Cryer and Carole Holdcroft who will take on the role of Team President of Soroptimist International, Cannock and District until the AGM in April of this year. Carole and Eileen welcomed speakers Caroline Bradford and Jan Mathews, who gave an interesting and informative talk on the local work of Chase Community Voluntary Service. As well as a regular newsletter, CVS provide many local services such as volunteer drivers for hospital visits and run groups supporting people in need including those with physical disabilities as well as people with mental health issues. They also support other charities working in the Cannock chase area with issues such as payroll and health and safety advice. At the meeting members took along food items which will be donated to Cannock

Lakhwinder Thompson, Team President of Soroptimist International, Cannock and District welcomed members and guests to the Christmas Celebration at The Barns.  A traditional Christmas meal was served and entertainment was provided by guitarist and singer Chris Austin.  Everyone enjoyed either joining in with the singing or dancing to the music – or both! Soroptimists work to give help to women all over the world.  This year the club chose to continue their tradition of helping local women and their families at Christmas. On the evening of the Christmas Celebration they took along items for Cannock & District Food Bank donating food in tins and packets which was then delivered to the Food Bank on Pye Green Road.  Once collected, the food is sorted by volunteers who check it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Care professionals

Cannock Soroptimist Georgina Ward celebrated her 90th birthday last week. Club members were delighted that the date fell on the occasion of their International Evening and that Georgina had chosen to spend the evening with them. She was invited to light the Friendship candle at the beginning of the evening. Georgina has been a member of SI Cannock and District for 39 years, having joined in 1973 and was the club’s President in their 25th year. Georgina looked as wonderful as ever and was delighted with the flower arrangement from club members presented to her by Team President Lakhwinder Thompson. There was an excellent chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ before Georgina blew out the candles and cut her birthday cake, also a gift from her fellow club members. She was quite overwhelmed by the cards, gifts and good wishes she had received and thanked all club