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.

Three Soroptimists head off for Santiago de Compostela Firstly, a confession: our bags were transported so, unlike the pilgrims of old, we just carried our needs for the day. This had been a plan in the hatching for a long time – the three of us and a friend. We’d hoped to go in April 2020 but Covid put paid to that. An early start, long security delays at Manchester, a flight and a bus eventually saw us arrive in Tui, Galicia, on the Spanish/Portuguese border. That’s some 117km from Santiago de Compostela. We started walking the following morning after a breakfast of too many pastries and fabulous freshly squeezed orange juice. The ‘way’ is generally well marked. This route is very popular so we weren’t always alone. All sorts of people from all over the world do the Camino. We were particularly taken with

President Margaret Davidson has welcomed a new Soroptimist to the Crosby club. Abby Younis is a financial crime consultant by profession, and a supporter of women’s issues by inclination. She recently came to a Crosby club meeting as a guest speaker. Following that, Abby decided to become a Soroptimist. Abby founded the ‘Women Conquering Cancer’ fundraising campaign. This aims to raise funds for a Mona Lisa laser for the Women’s Hospital, Liverpool. The equipment will enable life-changing treatment for women suffering from uro-genital disorders following natural or surgical menopause. This very new Soroptimist has already been active. At the 2022 conference, organised by SI South Lancashire Region, Abby stepped in when a speaker had to pull out of the programme. President Margaret also had the pleasure of congratulating Jill Boggan on her momentous drive to Ukraine. Jill and her co-driver were the ‘Girl Power’ team,

A Crosby Soroptimist drove to Poland and Ukraine, delivering aid collected by the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Jill Boggan swapped her desk and her role as Director of Finance for the archdiocese to get behind the wheel of a van. The journey took five days, and covered 2,800 miles, travelling through six countries. Jill and her co-driver Nicky Hegarty, a work colleague, left Liverpool as part of a convoy and drove via Eurotunnel to France. Then it was on to Belgium and the Netherlands. After an overnight stop they drove through Germany and finally to Krakow in Poland. At their drop off point on the Poland/Ukraine border they were met by Bishop Gregory Komar, Auxiliary Bishop of the Ukrainian diocese of Sambir-Drohobych. Then it was the long drive home. Read the full story Ukraine trip April 2022 Jill’s trip was part of the archdiocese’s ‘#liverpool4ukraine’ appeal.

Crosby Soroptimists’ AGM – an opportunity to look back and then ahead. Retiring President Chris Smith commented on the year. She spoke of her pride in the way members had supported her through such uncertain times – the pandemic and the slow road to recovery. Despite so many restrictions, members had continues to be active in service and fundraising. Incoming President Margaret Davidson spoke of the club’s continued focus on service. Members could look forward to the developments at Lunt Meadows, encompassing education and the environment. She hoped that in 2023 – pandemic permitting! – SI Crosby would be able once again to hold STEM event. President Margaret also challenged members to seek out opportunities to invite potential members to meetings. “New blood brings new dreams”, she said.