Celebrations have taken place on both sides of the Atlantic To honour the memory of Martha Hughes Cannon. Martha Hughes Cannon was the first female senator anywhere in the USA. Martha Hughes Cannon was born in Llandudno to a mormon family who moved to Utah to escape persecution- there she became a prominent doctor and suffragist. Soroptimist International have been involved with both ceremonies, as an International Organisation whose aim is to educate, empower and enable  women, and the Soroptimist Clubs in both countries have been in touch with each other to communicate details about both ceremonies.   In Washington D.C. A statue of Martha Hughes Cannon was unveiled in the National Statuary Hall. There is already a plaque in the centre of Salt Lake City to commemorate her achievements which says: “In memory of Martha Hughes Cannon. Pioneer Doctor. First Woman State Senator in

Region Meeting - Change of Insignia   The Region meeting and Change of Insignia at The Queens Hotel Chester on 11th November 2023 was a really successful and busy event with members coming from all clubs in our Region. It Began at 9.30am with tea and coffee and an opportunity to look at club stalls - there were some super stalls and a great opportunity to buy presents for Christmas Please see photos below. Region President Susan opened the meeting at 10.30am, and introduced her speaker DC Andrew Kevan, who talked to us about cyber crime relating to women and girls and how we can stay safe. This was an excellent presentation and we all learned  how to stay safe on the internet. There were several reports and presentations And then a delicious Christmas lunch was served at 12.30 - Huge thanks to the staff

Region Meeting – Change of Insignia The next Region meeting is at The Queens Hotel Chester on 11th November 2023. Beginning at 9.30am with tea and coffee and an opportunity to look at club stalls. Region President Susan will open the meeting at 10.30am, and will introduce her speaker DC Andrew Kevan, who will talk to us about cyber crime relating to women and girls and how we can stay safe. There will be reports and presentations and lunch will be served at 12.30 – please click to see a delicious festive menu – Menu for The Queen at Chester Hotel Nov 2023 In the afternoon: Looking back An opportunity to listen to some of the highlights of the year and to give a HUGE thank you to our out-going President Susan Haywood for an excellent year at the helm of our Region Looking Forward

Region Meeting and AGM This is at The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno on Saturday 9th September. The day will begin at 9.15 am to set up tables followed at 10am by coffee – All the posters displayed at Soroptimist International Convention in Dublin will be on view. At 10.45am Region President Susan will hope the meeting and introduce our Speaker Rebecca Morgan-Brennan who will speak about “The Little Princess Trust” and “Look Good Feel Better” There will be reports from SI Nantwich and SI Bebington, and President Elect Janet will speak about the Region visit to the Arboretum. Anne MacDonald (SI Chester) and Sarah Froggatt(SI Runcorn/Frodsham) will give a report on the Dublin Convention Please note – Lunch is not provided Region Business Meeting This will begin at 2.20pm followed by the Annual General meeting at 2.45pm where Regional officers will give their reports. The meeting

Llangollen 2023 International Eisteddfod 2023 - Tuesday 4th July until Sunday 9th July   Each year Soroptimists from Clubs throughout the Region enjoy running the Friendship and Information Centre at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.   This year is the 76th Anniversary of the Eisteddfod which dates back to 1947, when the first event was held in this little Welsh town.  The concept was the promotion of peace following the second World War.  Today musicians and dancers come to Llangollen from all over the world to participate in the various competitions. A busy day at the Eisteddfod bustling with children of all ages, several groups took part in colouring Welsh loving spoons. We were fortunate to welcome to our tent our Sponsored dance group.  Regional President Susan Heywood presented the leader of the group with a commemorative certificate on behalf of the Region. The

Region Meeting Cheshire North Wales & Wirral in Chester Region Meeting 20th May 2023 saw Soroptimists from our region arriving early at the Queens Hotel, Chester.   Many were carrying bags of sanitary products while others were weighed down by display boards, laptops and other items for their Barbara Dixon Award displays. There was a real buzz in the room as clubs set up their displays.   8 clubs entered - Anglesey, Bebington, Chester, Heswall, Llandudno, Nantwich & District, Northwich & District and Rhyl & District.   Judging was to take place at lunchtime by Alan Dixon and Lindsey Green. Our first speaker was Adam Norton a police officer with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.   He gave an excellent talk on how “County Lines” worked, explaining how vulnerable individuals were intimidated and eventually became victims of violence and exploitation.   It is

The new members’ lunch took place at the Faenol Fawr Hotel, Bodelwyddan on the 26th March 2023 in the beautifully oak paneled Tudor Room. It was well attended by 10 new members and their mentors, along with many Region Officers;  31 attended in total.  We had some ‘games’ and some more informative aspects to the afternoon – such as an explanation of how SI is structured, how PA works at all levels and an example of a charity shop pop-up in Holywell. New members were tasked with creating a club project on Bin Twinning and others created a guidance sheet on mentoring new members which will be distributed to Clubs in due course.  The event was greatly successful with a warm atmosphere and gratitude expressed by attendees.  

Barbara Dixon Programme Award Regional President Susan invites all clubs to participate with an entry for the Barbara Dixon Award 2023. It should be a current club project which will demonstrate  the 3 E’s of Education Empowerment and Enabling for women and their communities. The brief is wide to encourage as many clubs as possible to take part and be able to show off the work they do. We  hope that clubs consider an entry and prepare it in good time. Criteria: 1. The project responds to an identified need, local, national or international. 2, There are clear SMART objectives – specific, measurable,achievable, realistic and time related. 3. It demonstrates partnership with other agencies where possible. 4. It demonstrates links to SDGs and 5 P’s. 5. The display will clearly communicate the steps taken to bring the project to fruition. Closing date for entries  is 20

Congratulations to Region Clubs This year our Region clubs again supported this campaign #OrangeTheWorld #16DaysOfActivism against gender based violence. Thanks to all our #Soroptimist Region clubs who have taken part in this campaign either by taking action, holding events or posting Social Media Campaigns. Congratulations #Soroptimists on a meaningful, poignant, innovative and interesting #16days Congratulations South Caernarfonshire For an excellent Social Media Campaign 'She Only..." posted each day from 25th November, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10th December, Human Rights Day- to mark #16DaysOfActivism, #OrangeTheWorld. There has been much acclaim on Face book - Club, Region, Federation and world wide for this  innovative, interesting, sometimes poignant, and emotive campaign. The Region Communications team asked the club WHY and HOW they achieved this SI South Caernarfonshire members says: "Following our successful “orange stone campaign “ in 2021 a Programme Action  sub committee

Region Meeting Change of Insignia Congratulations and all the very best of wishes to new Region President Susan Haywood. At the Region Meeting on Saturday 19th November the Region welcomed Susan Haywood as our new President, and we were finally able to take some lovely photos of the change of Insignia. Huge thanks to Immediate Past Region President Yvonne Johns, who despite many difficulties enjoyed an excellent year as Region President Region President Susan Haywood's Address It is an overwhelming privilege to have been elected as the incoming Regional President.  There are some resplendent footsteps to fill from previous inspiring and diligent women who have preceded me.  I have a great team of Officers who are the stalwarts of Region; I am the one who is transient with only a year to wreak havoc or, better still, bring about unity! My tag line for this