Once again Crosby’s Soroptimists turned out in force to help their local hospice. Club members staffed the refreshment marquee at St Joseph’s Hospice Summer Fair. It was brisk business serving drinks and cakes. The traditional Teddy Bears’ Parade was the day’s highlight. Tradition again – the Crosby Soroptimist President was one of the judges. Along with David Bricknell (Chair of Trustees) and Clare Waller (Clinical Director), President Margaret Davidson had the unenviable task of scrutinising the dozens of teddies and other furry friends that the children had brought along. “Choosing the ‘Oldest’ wasn’t too difficult; but selecting the ‘Most Unusual’ and ‘Best Dressed’ caused a lot of heart-searching”, said President Margaret. She added, “Very many club presidents have judged the parade over the years, so I was fully aware of the challenge. The sea of hopeful faces is a bit daunting, though! “Still, our Club

Crosby’s Soroptimists recently held a coffee morning as a summer fundraiser. Pam McKee, Fundraising Team Leader said: “Glorious weather ensured a relaxing outdoor occasion. Many thanks to our member Sheila, who opened up her lovely garden for us. “We raised £236 which will add to the funds that we distribute to local organisations each March.” As a ‘fun’ game, club member Sandy Taylor set up ‘Ping Pong Potty’ and challenged everyone to ‘go potty’. Fundraising on this theme is ongoing until World Toilet Day on 19th November. Sandy said: “Crosby’s Soroptimists have an informal ‘toilet twinning partnership’ with our friendship link club SI Jesi, in Italy. “We raised £54 at the coffee morning – that’s almost half way to our target of £120. We’ll then be able to ‘twin’ a toilet – and make an amazing difference to a family’s life.”

Four Crosby Soroptimists set off to Shropshire to visit children who were on a week-long 'residential' with the Sefton Children's Trust (SCT). But a Covid outbreak at the adventure centre meant a change of plans en-route! SI Crosby club gave a donation to SCT earlier this year, having found out about the Trust's work (see Sefton Childrens Trust Leaflet 2022 ). Members were then invited to visit the children on their residential Open Day at Culmington Manor, near Craven Arms. They were hoping to see the charity in action, and find out more about the difference it makes to children's lives. Sandy, Abby, Sharon and Pam had taken up the invitation. Disappointed but undeterred by the change of plans, they decided to make the most of the day with cultural visits, particularly in Ludlow. In particular there was a fine exhibition of vintage wedding dresses

Crosby’s Soroptimists have been ‘active’ in raising awareness about single-use plastics. This year’s ‘Day of Action’, organised by Soroptimist International, Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI), focuses on Climate Change and reducing the use of these soft plastics. Vesna Levi, who co-ordinates Crosby club members’ initiatives, said: “Our members are being encouraged to make permanent lifestyle changes by cutting down their use of plastics in general, one step at a time." Vesna continued: “In advance of SIGBI’s Day of Action we also asked them to collect their ‘softies’. These include grocery packs and pouches, wrappings, fruit nets, peel-off lids, delivery bags and bubble-wrap. Members then took them to a recycling point. (Our local supermarkets have bins for these soft plastics.) We asked for photos! “Out of interest, some Soroptimists have weighed their bagsful. Eight members logged almost 2.7kg. That’s a lot of single-use plastic going off

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside (LWT) has released the timetable for the new-build learning centre. Crosby’s Soroptimists are in partnership with LWT on the ‘Mesolithic and Modern Life’ project : the learning centre is a key part of this. For the Soroptimists this project is a long-term collaboration with the Trust. Education – the environment – mental and physical health – what a combination!

Crosby’s Soroptimists welcomed Gill Ruane, founder of Sefton Baby Baskets, as speaker at a recent club meeting. Sefton Baby Baskets is a young local organisation dedicated to the youngest members of our community. Set up only two years ago, and led by volunteers, it acts as a ‘baby bank’. Women who are struggling to provide for a new baby receive a Moses basket containing essentials for the first three months – clothes, nappies, sleep bags, toiletries, muslins, toys, etc. There are pyjamas, slippers and some toiletries for the mothers, too. How does it work? Health visitors, social workers, welfare staff in housing associations, the Red Cross, refuge staff, etc  identify the need and make the referrals. They collect the baskets and give them to give to the mothers. Gill explained that about 80% of the goods in the baskets are second-hand – donated by hundreds

Crosby Soroptimist Pat Williams received the surprise of her life. President Margaret Davidson announced that Pat was to receive Honorary Life Membership of the club. Given for ‘distinguished service’ this is a very special award – being given to a very special woman. Pat’s commitment to SI Crosby and wider Soroptimism has seen her take on various club roles, including President. Over many years she has also undertaken responsibilities in SI South Lancashire Region, including Membership Officer and – currently – Treasurer. Pat took to heart the need to keep everyone ‘involved’ during Covid years, and to maintain a spirit of optimism. She therefore put the club’s newsletter into overdrive. With content supplemented by fellow members, Pat ensured that each month’s edition really was a ‘good read’. There was information on local shops offering deliveries to shielded members, health tips and reports on Zoom events.

Crosby's Soroptimists continue to explore Mesolithic life at Lunt Meadows. As part of the collaborative project members have already been 'guinea pigs' on several workshops. Barry Taylor (University of Chester, Archaeology) led a recent session on cording and netting. Netting skills are a challenge today - but an essential part of life at Lunt Meadows when fish formed a large part of people's diet. Mesolithic people would first have to make their own cord from natural materials. Then they could make their nets. Hand-tied gill nets were quick to construct. (Modern materials were used on the workshop as cording would have taken all day!) Netting using a 'needle', however, proved much more complex. It was a difficult skill to learn in a group. Participants then wove cords - and used them with reeds to construct a basic fish trap. Or 'attempt' to construct. It was

Crosby Soroptimists recently invited speakers from two local organisations to visit the Club. Both Fun4Kidz and Peterhouse School received donations from the Soroptimists’ 2021-22 fundraising efforts. Debbie Stephens is Executive Officer of Fun4Kidz. This charity was originally set up in Netherton to provide out-of-school clubs for local children. From the outset Fun4Kidz has worked within the community and alongside families to develop services that meet specific needs. Its welcoming and listening ethos has seen the charity grow. Fun4Kidz now provides activities for over 850 children per week. The charity encourages local people to voice their wishes, plan, organise and carry out their projects. The L30 Community Centre is, therefore, an activity hub and resource for residents of all ages. Lesley Fleming is Autism Lead Practitioner at Peterhouse School, Southport. This is a non-maintained specialist school for children and young people aged 5 to 19 who

Members of SI Crosby once again received 'artistic' hospitality in Liverpool. Together with Soroptimists from Liverpool and Bootle they enjoyed a leisurely lunch and lively conversation in the Artists Club. Guests in the club's elegant Halliday Room are surrounded by portraits of presidents, and works from the permanent art collection. Dr Uli Pfeiffer whose late wife, Helen, was a loved (and now much missed) Crosby Soroptimist, is a club member. He was instrumental in arranging the Soroptimists' original visit - and delighted to see them back again. Uli spoke about the history of the club, founded in 1877. It is the last remaining all-male private members' institution in the city. He urged everyone to "come back soon" and enjoy more artistic hospitality.