Club News

During the summer members collected books for nursery-age children. Today they were delivered to a Darlington school and to the Women’s Refuge.

Club member Dorothy Thomson is the new Regional President for Northern England. We congratulate her as she starts her term of office - the second time Dorothy has taken on this rôle. The photo shows outgoing President, Shirley Hallam-Gould, with Dorothy.

Our November Meeting is always orange, as we prepare to Orange the World against VAWG from November 25th. On November 2nd, apart from wearing lots of orange, we heard a report about the Cardiff Conference and watched an illustrated presentation about the recent visit to Soest, Germany.

Alma Bailey, a member of SI Darlington since 1985, has been presented with her Long Service Certificate. Alma now lives in South Wales, but remains a loyal member of our club and spreads the word about Soroptimism wherever and whenever she can.

Following her success in this year's Great North Run, Anne (right) was warmly welcomed into the club at our October meeting. She supports the MND Association, which is our charity this year.

Friendship renewed: in 2025 SI Soest members came to Darlington. In October some of our members flew to Germany for a weekend of food, friends and fellowship. We enjoyed a programme which included a civic reception, a museum visit, a walk along the city wall, a guided tour of one of Soest's churches, a cruise on the Möhnesee and a walk along the Möhne Dam, all interspersed with the most delicious meals. We were even treated to a chocolate tasting experience, given by Soest Soroptimist Karin, who is a chocolate sommelier.

Every October we raise awareness of breast cancer by having a Pink Meeting. Members wear pink, there is a pink raffle, and of course we eat delectable pink cakes. Funds raised are donated to the charity Breast Cancer Now.