‘Helping each other when we need it most is the true spirit of Soroptimism’ These are strange times indeed; Covid-19 has pressed the pause button on normal life and all we can do is wait for it to come to an end. Meanwhile our wildlife is thriving, the sky seems bluer and the air is cleaner! And what of  our club? My year as President of SI Crosby has now come  to an end in the midst of a crisis none of us could have envisaged when I took up office last Spring. Whilst I am saddened that we cannot come together in person as a club, I am extremely proud of the efforts every member is making to keep in touch and support each other through these difficult times.  As well as the calls you make individually, your Executive Team make regular contact with members and

Members of Soroptimist International, Crosby, organised their fourth annual STEM conference for local girls. Nearly one hundred pupils from Crosby and Formby schools attended. All were keen to find out more about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The Soroptimists welcomed girls from Merchant Taylor’s Girls’ School, Holy Family High, St Mary’s College and St Michael’s High (all in Crosby) plus Range High in Formby. Speakers were all young women in the early years of their STEM careers. They included microbiologists from Liverpool Clinical Laboratories and vehicle engineers from Jaguar Land Rover. A Liverpool University PhD student explained her research in the field of fusion energy. The girls also heard about human tissue donation, part of NHS Blood and Transplant, based in Speke. A former local pupil, now working in a Liverpool practice, spoke about architecture. Maths and creativity can combine harmoniously in this STEM career.

Crosby’s Soroptimists and friends celebrated Burns Night in style when club member Maggie Tatam hosted a supper at her home. The haggis was carried in with due ceremony, and addressed by Soroptimister John Taylor. He concluded Robert Burns’ “Address to a Haggis” with the traditional theatrical thrust of a knife. After the whisky toast, and main course of haggis, swede and potatoes (haggis wi’ bashit neeps an’ champit tatties), diners enjoyed a cranachan dessert. Guests then read an assortment of prose and poetry, all suitably themed. Proceeds from the supper go to charities supported by the club.

Crosby Soroptimists recently held a fundraising general knowledge quiz. It was set against a mythical backdrop of 'Pantoland'. With a plot loosely based around the Iron Men being kidnapped (oh, yes they were!) old panto friends appeared during the evening. Dick turned up with his cat – Eltwenty (the original Puss in Bootle). Of course, the Wicked Witch arrived with spells - and was greeted with boos. We even had a royal visitor as the Queen of Hearts turned up. Two babes got lost in Sniggery Woods, and Wishy Washee managed to ride the Tide and Surf over to the Wirral! Tinkerbell worked her magic and the Iron Men were free to return to Crosby Beach (Hurrah!). The cat even sorted the rodent infestation! We even managed to get in rounds of questions – read very nicely by Cinderella! Our thanks to those who supported

Six clubs in South Lancashire Region competed this season for the team trophy. After a summer of keenly-fought matches, SI Crosby’s points total topped the table. On ‘finals day’ individual high-scoring bowlers from four clubs (Southport, Liverpool, Leigh & District and Crosby) played in a knock-out competition for the Tricia Fahey Trophy. The final game was between Rosemary Moore (SI Southport) and Sandy Taylor (SI Crosby). It was nip-and-tuck all the way until Sandy scored two points to win. Region President Sue Underwood presented the Rose Bowl trophy to team captain Sandy and her SI Crosby members; then the individual trophy to Sandy herself. It was a blustery day of sunshine and sudden, heavy showers. Bowlers and spectators often had to run for cover to the clubhouse. Dot Massey (SI Southport) was again the season’s co-ordinator. “The bowls competition is a well-established tradition in South

A small group of SI Crosby recently visited the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Exhibition in Liverpool.  The Walker Art Gallery is holding a major exhibition, exploring the life and work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) and his contemporaries, presenting many objects which have never before been displayed outside of Scotland. The Walker will be the only English gallery to host the exhibition They were chauffeured into Liverpool in great luxury thanks to John Daly and they all found the exhibition interesting and enlightening. There was lots to see and lots to read, followed by a good chat over a leisurely lunch in the Walker Café. A great way to spend the morning. The exhibition, runs from 15 March to 26 August 2019. The exhibition takes place during what would have been Mackintosh’s 150th year (b. 7 June 1868) and features more than 250 objects, ranging from ceramics

Members supported a fundraising event at CHET on 23rd June and were rewarded with a highly entertaining evening.  Everyone contributed to a joint picnic consisting of starter, main course and even dessert.  Of course, there was also a tipple or two!       Opera and Musical Theatre star Rebecca Caine, who created the role of Cosette in the original Royal Shakespeare Company/West End production of Les Miserables and starred as Christine in the Canadian Premiere of The Phantom of The Opera, performed songs from her first solo album “Leading Ladies”. The concert celebrated the leading ladies of London’s West End from 1909 -1960 including Gertrude Lawrence, Jessie Matthews, Lizbeth Webb and Julie Andrews.  In between beautifully performed songs, Rebecca entertained us with stories and amusing facts about the various leading ladies.  The acoustics in the Hall were excellent and the audience joined in with

So say Clare Baxter and Jane Daly who joined the hundreds of guests at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party on May 21st. The duo were invited along with the other two trustees with whom they serve on the board of CHET Crosby Hall Residential Trust. They were fortunate to see Her Majesty the Queen, William and Kate, Edward and Sophie, Princess Alexandra and the Dukes of Kent and Gloucester. “We were fortunate enough to see so many members of the Royal family and look round the beautiful palace gardens in glorious sunshine. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea while listening to the music of two military bands, a truly quintessentially English occasion,” said Jane and Clare.

A BBQ was held recently for a very special group of people. Three clubs; Crosby Lions, Crosby Rotary & Crosby SI worked together to ensure that a local group of people with visual impairments enjoyed a fun filled afternoon and BBQ. The Crosby Lions were in charge of the cooking, Crosby SI looked after the cold buffet and the serving of the food and drinks.  The Rotary manned the bar for the afternoon.  All 3 clubs shared in the transportation of The VIPs to and from their homes.   It was a great event with lots of conversation, laughter and good company.        

Crosby SI were out in force to today to support one of their local charities; Crosby Hall Education Trust (CHET).  Each year CHET open their gardens to the public to raise vital funds for their charity. CHET is a small independent centre situated in a beautiful rural setting on a 120 acre country estate about 8 miles north of Liverpool.  It was created out of the 17th century stables and farm buildings at Crosby Hall which has been the home of the Blundell family for many centuries.  The Blundell family founded CHET more than 25 years ago and remain fully involved.  They are a small independent centre where our guests enjoy a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, enhanced by sole occupancy of the centre.   CHET is a registered charity which was established in 1991 to offer children from all backgrounds a taste of country life away