Cannock Soroptimists held their annual International Evening recently- the event when they celebrate the international aspect of Soroptimist International, lighting candles for the members and clubs in all 5 of the Federations: South East Asia Pacific, the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Great Britain and Ireland. Members, family and friends met at the Barns to enjoy a meal in each others’ company and were entertained by their speaker, actor Jennifer Rigby, introduced by President Carole Holdcroft. Jen told them she had spent some time considering what she might present for this special evening; her thinking started with Saturday night family TV when she was a child and she reminded us of the many shows we had all enjoyed. Amongst the best remembered are the comedy shows, many of which have an international reach. This reminded her of the importance of fun and laughter and Jen’s aim

Members of SI Cannock & District and their guests were treated to a fascinating peek into how the other half lives when they welcomed Lola Lamour to their meeting to talk about her time as Lord Lichfield’s maid. Before she became a professional singer Lola spent seven years working at Shugborough Hall until Lord Lichfield’s death in 2005. She told how after answering an advert in the local newspaper, she was successfully interviewed for the post by the lady of the house, Lady Annunziata Asquith and the butler. Her role was to work at the hall on the weekends when Lord Lichfield hosted shooting parties.  She was asked to work the week after her interview, reporting to the house on Friday afternoon when she met the other house staff – as         well as the butler, there was a cook, another maid and usually Lord Lichfield’s

Cannock and District Soroptimists are working with Waste Savvy Staffordshire on a project they run to re-use/ recycle bras which women no longer need. There are pink collection boxes in many parts of the county – Cannock Soroptimists now have their own!  Once the box is full the bras are taken along to Waste Savvy Staffordshire who pass them on to Action Breast Cancer [ABC].  This charity works with a specialist company who then buy them by weight.  The funds are used by ABC to fund research into Breast Cancer. The bras go mostly to African countries where they are either: sold and the money raised helps further with the work in breast cancer given to girls and women, thus giving them status and helping reduce the risk of sexual assault taken apart and the component parts recycled So every bra, no matter what its

Cannock and District Soroptimists enjoyed an excellent talk this month by Mary Bodfish, an author and local historian. The name ‘Elizabeth’ refers to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, born 4th August, 1900. The well researched presentation gave an insight into the early life of this much loved and popular royal. Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, was born into the wealthy and privileged Bowes-Lyon family, and was brought up at a home in Hertfordshire as well as Glamis Castle in Scotland.  She enjoyed a happy and secure childhood, among a large family of ten children – she was the ninth – who enjoyed many outdoor pursuits as well as looking after animals and pets. Elizabeth’s education was mostly restricted to that provided by governesses. Like many families their lives were changed with the start of the Great War when her brothers went to

Over 30,000 books!!! That’s the incredible number of pre-loved children’s books Cannock & District Soroptimists have been able to deliver to Beverley Ricketts and Rotary Books4Home. Cannock Soroptimists have been collecting books since mid 2020 and up to April 2023 had collected and donated over 14,000 – which means that in the 12 months since May 1st 2023 a further 15,000 plus have been donated!  That is truly amazing!  The 30,000 milestone has been passed with the current total of books donated being 30,193. This incredible number is due to the generosity and kindness of numerous families within the Cannock Chase – and wider – area. Our community campaigns have gained momentum over the last couple of years and groups and individuals have continued to support us.  Children who donate love the idea that a book they have loved will now be enjoyed by another

Each year at their AGM, SI Cannock have the opportunity to celebrate those members who have reached milestones of membership of the club. This year, long service certificates were given to two of their members present at the meeting. Eileen Cryer has been a member of SI Cannock for 20 years. During that time Eileen has served as Club President, has been [and still is] a member of the Finance Team; she has led on our participation in the annual Christmas Tree Festival at St Luke’s and supported events at club and at Region in so many ways. Lynne Tuckley celebrated 25 years as a member. During that time she has been Club President, is also a member of the Finance team, and keeps us organised with our meals at meetings at the Barns! She is our link with SI Port Talbot, one of our

SI Cannock & District held their Annual General Meeting at The Barns on Tuesday night. The evening gave members the opportunity to look back on another successful year and to look forward to an exciting new year, which will be the club’s 70th. Last year a group of members shared the Presidency, the Lead President being Carole Holdcroft. This year Carole has agreed to be President during what will be an important year for the club as they celebrate their 70 years. The club was also pleased to appoint Marion Barnett as their Vice President, looking forward to when she becomes President in 2026. Carole told the members that she had planned some social events and interesting speakers and looks forward to having new projects to work on. Member Lynne Tuckley has already completed the first project! To commemorate 70 years, she has produced a

2024 marks 90 years of Soroptimist International having clubs and members in Great Britain and Ireland – SIGBI, one of 5 Federations throughout the world.  Our Federation President, Ruth Healey, has challenged all clubs to celebrate by doing 90 things for 90 years – “90 for 90”, making it fun whilst standing up for and supporting women and girls. Cannock Soroptimists have already made a start by donating 90 knitted teddies to Staffordshire Women’s Aid – these will be given to children in the refuge with their mothers and also to children in families involved with SWAs outreach work.   SI Cannock & District is part of Midland Chase Region and together they are finding innovative ways of celebrating with 90 for 90: They are donating 90 pairs of shoes which will go to the women in or leaving Drake Hall Prison; They are walking

A talk about Shakespeare may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, think again. To Celebrate International Women’s Day, Cannock and District Soroptimists were treated to a superb presentation by Jennifer Rigby entitled “Shakespeare’s Women.” Jennifer began her talk by pointing out that we tend to put Shakespeare on a pedestal and forget that he was just an ordinary family man. We frequently hear famous quotes from plays normally spoken by men. But where are the women in Shakespeare? Who were the women in Shakespeare’s life? Jennifer believes the strong women in Shakespeare’s family had a big influence. He was brought up on his mother Mary Arden’s farm. His plays reflect a love of the countryside, plants and nature, as well as a love of food and animals. He grew up with sisters who gave him a unique insight into emotions such as love, loss,