Crosby’s Soroptimists have enjoyed their first visit to the Shakespeare North Playhouse. On the bill at this magnificent timber framed Shakespearean theatre in Prescot was ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. The four performers were members of The HandleBards – Shakespearean actors who cycle from venue to venue with their set, props and costumes. Described as “Unhinged and bonkers … laugh-out-loud…”, this production lived up to the hype. The youngsters in their school groups for this matinee performance really enjoyed the whole experience – even if the finer points of the plot passed them by. Soroptimist Ann McCracken who organised the visit said: “It was delightful to watch the play in the Cockpit Theatre – it is such a lovely venue. “We then sat in the sun in the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden, talking about two ‘masters’ whose whole lives centred on the English language.”

Crosby Soroptimists have met up with their link club in Yorkshire. Soroptimist links between clubs are based on friendship and the swapping of ideas. The Crosby and Keighley clubs enjoyed several exchange visits pre-pandemic. It was lovely, therefore, to meet up once again. The venue was Cliffe Castle. This grand Victorian mansion is now a public museum and park to the north of the town. The Keighley Soroptimists had invited members of other local clubs. Therefore coffee-time – and lunch – were opportunities for much conversation and socialising. A specially-arranged tour was led by an excellent guide who felt passionately about the house. She is involved in sourcing and buying back paintings and artefacts which had been in the house originally, but which had been sold over the course of time. Cynthia Ashworth of SI Crosby, who co-ordinated the trip said: “The day was most

SI Crosby has celebrated two contrasting Soroptimist milestones. Ann Dickinson MBE has completed 45 years’ service as a member of the Crosby club. That’s half a lifetime of service aiming to ‘make a difference’. Ann is a respected pianist in the community – still accompanying shows, helping in music education and enabling singalongs at every opportunity. President Jill Boggan was therefore delighted to present Ann with her long-service certificate. President Jill then had the pleasure of welcoming Angela McAdam as the newest member of SI Crosby. Angela has a multi-faceted background including banking, IT, catering, crafting and living in France. Her mentor, Terry Francis, will be on hand to help Angela settle into Soroptimist activities and get to know her fellow members. Angela has also started to learn the piano … having met Ann, she now knows who to approach for musical tips!

Crosby Soroptimists’ AGM was the regular opportunity to look back over a busy year and look forward with enthusiasm. Outgoing President Margaret Davidson reflected on her time in office. “I’m still learning the job of President after 12 months of doing it,“ she said. Former presidents know the feeling! The club’s ongoing projects merited many compliments. Crosby’s members have continued extensive practical service and fundraising, plus links with partners in the community and with other Soroptimist clubs at home and abroad. Proud of leading SI Crosby, Margaret is of the opinion that “… it is our great strength as a club is that we embrace changes and adapt to them.” Her overall verdict? “Challenging but thoroughly enjoyable.” Incoming President Jill Boggan spoke about her hopes for the year ahead – continuing much of the club’s effective project work. Jill also hopes members will engage in

It’s taken years! However, Soroptimists from clubs in Crosby, Liverpool, Southport and Bootle have achieved their pre-Covid aim of working together on a project to safeguard local women. The Soroptimists raised over £7,500 for the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital. The money is earmarked for use by the Safeguarding Team who care for vulnerable women attending the hospital. This fundraising was the initiative of Crosby Soroptimist Sandy Taylor when she was President of the South Lancashire region. “We originally envisioned a ‘room of safety’ at the hospital,” said Sandy. “However, the need now is for the funds to be used to support individual women, as identified by the Safeguarding Team. “Times change but, alas, there continue to be vulnerable women in our community. As Soroptimists, therefore, we want co-operate in this proposal which will support women’s wellbeing.” On International Women’s Day, representatives of the clubs

“Break a leg” might be a traditional saying in the theatre world – but it’s not something to wish for in real life. Crosby’s Soroptimists welcomed Sue Doyle, a volunteer speaker with the Royal Osteoporosis Society, to give them the facts about bone health, diagnosis and treatment. Sue spoke about bone structure, how it can change through life and exactly what osteoporosis is. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle for strong bones was her central theme. The Royal Osteoporosis Society is a charity dedicated to campaigning for the 3.5 million people in the UK who have this condition. It has a network of support groups and a helpline staffed by specialist nurses to ensure that accurate information makes a real difference to people’s lives. Vesna Levi (SI Crosby Programme Action Officer) said, “Sue’s talk really captured our members’ interest. A lively question-and-answer session followed, which could have

Crosby's Soroptimists have, once again, helped out at their local hospice. The annual 'Light Up A Life' event St Joseph's Hospice, Thornton, is one at which the club is asked to help. It was freezing cold this year but huge numbers of people still attended. They were very grateful, therefore, that the Soroptimists served up a steady supply of hot drinks all evening. The hospice kitchen provided shortbread biscuits and teabread - popular tasty treats. Soroptimist President Margaret Davidson said, "Our club has a longstanding link with the hospice. We are happy, therefore, to volunteer our time and ensure that visitors are well looked after."

A paediatric cardiac centre in India is up and running thanks, in part, to a Soroptimist partnership. The Crosby club has a friendship link with Soroptimist International Jesi in Italy. The Italian club has connections in Raipur (Chhattisgarh, India) and passed on details about the proposed cardiac facility. The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani hospital in Raipur is a charitable hospital dedicated to the treatment of children suffering from heart defects and disease. Its services are free. The hospital hoped to set up a homograft bank which would provide organs ‘on site’ for its patients. This would massively improve services for the children. In 2019 a group of doctors led by Dr Marco Pozzi, Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon based in Ancona, Italy, devised a fundraising campaign involving Rotary International clubs. Denise Pozzi, of SI Jesi, drew the project to Crosby’s attention. Would Crosby Soroptimists support them

Members of SI Crosby untangled the tinsel for the annual Christmas tree festival at St Faith's Church. The Soroptimists were one of the first organisations this year to decorate their tree. The theme - at the request of President Margaret - was the charity Autism Initiatives. Small change that festival visitors put in the Soroptimists' collecting bucket will go to the charity. Pupils at Peterhouse School in Southport made some of the decorations. This is a non-maintained specialist school and college for children and young people aged 5 to 19 who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions.

Once again Crosby’s Soroptimists took part in the local Remembrance Day service. President Margaret Davidson laid a wreath in memory of the fallen at Five Lamps War Memorial on behalf of club members.