October Speaker Meeting
The speaker was Sarah Walton, Fundraiser for the Bradford area for the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, she gave an informative presentation about the work of the hospice.
Members then presented a variety of patchwork quilts, knitted blankets and craft items for the hospice.
Dewsbury Community Cares
Items of warm clothes, duvets and pillows were collected by members and delivered to Dewsbury Community Cares who support the homeless and less fortunate in Dewsbury Town Centre.
Harvest Lunch
The events team from the club organised a Harvest Lunch event. This consisted of a 2 course hot meal, raffle, produce and craft stalls. 40 people attended and enjoyed the delicious food and £585 was raised for Kirkwood Hospice.
Sally comes Second!
A group of Dewsbury members have been working behind closed doors and in an empty garage for weeks on the creation of an outer space being. Named Spaced Out Sally and assembled from a collection of suitable garments and plenty of shredded paper filling, eventually a lifelike figure emerged and ready to do battle in the Ossett Scarecrow Festival on September 27th.
A cool but fine day saw Ossett market place taken over by alien creatures with the theme being Outer Space. Sally created lots of interest and was judged second in the category for Group entries. Sally really enjoyed her day out and members were suitably ‘out of this world’ and ‘over the moon’ at the result of many weeks of hard work in creating the scarecrow.
Ossett Gala – July 12th
Members had a stall at Ossett Gala with the object to have a presence in Ossett and raise awareness with our organisations information, the SIYAMS bookmarks about information to form safe relationships and the raise awareness with women and girls about cervical cancer screening.
£128 was made on the day which the bulk will go to Kirkwood Hospice. The handbags and scarves which were left were taken to Wakefield Hospice and the jewellery given to a stall which stands in Ossett indoor market for The Samantha Sykes charity.
Charter Lunch – June 29th
Long Service Awards we’re presented by Joint SIY President Sue Butler to Jane Macaulay for 35 years, Kathleen Thornton for 50 years, Margaret Lawton for 25 years. Freda Pickard’s certificate for 50 years service was received by her Great niece Joanne.
Ascot Ladies Day – June 19th
Members enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Carol’s on Ladies Day at Ascot. All the action was watched on large screens and a small tote added interest. £70 was donated to the Charity funds.
VE Day Afternoon Tea
Members and friends enjoyed an Afternoon Tea on May 8th. The hall was decorated with bunting and memorabilia. Food was inspired by wartime rations including mucky fat and bread! Several visitors entertained everyone with recollections from their childhood during VE Day 1945.
The Backroom team who ensured everything went smoothly on the day.
Orange Café – April 25th
Six members attended the April Orange cafe at Angelina’s Café. The Mill Outlet, Batley, Two members also visited the Mayor of Kirklees fundraising event, and Mayor making.
AGM – April 24th
At the AGM, The Light Management group handed over a cheque for £1000 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance volunteer, David Jessop. Raised from last year’s Charity events.
International Women’s Day 8 March 2025
SI Dewsbury & District were among members from around the Yorkshire region at the International Women’s Day event at the National Coal Mining Museum. Among the inspirational women speakers a the Leader of Wakefield Council, the CEO of the National Coal Mining Museum and a eloquent young women who is an Ambassador for Girl Guides. Afternoon tea was provided by Caring Kitchen from The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract.
Dewsbury Cares Community
Members collected, tea, coffee, soup, pot noodles and warm clothes Dewsbury Cares Community who support the vulnerable and less fortunate in the Dewsbury area. When the items were delivered to the volunteers and people they support were very appreciative. Michelle who runs the community is a very strong amazing women and the volunteers work hard for the people they work with.
Christmas Carol Service and Christmas Tree festival
During the 16 days of activism in 2024, SI Dewsbury & District entered an Orange Christmas Tree into a local Christmas Tree Festival, alongside our friendship club, SI Wakefield. We then invited members from both clubs alongside two local WI clubs to join us in our annual carol service. Invited to the service were the Mayor of Wakefield and the Mayor of Kirklees.. The collection from the service went to The Save Lives charity who support women and girls who have gone through domestic violence
Remembrance Sunday
Members attended services as above also the Remembrance Parade in Dewsbury
September activities
September was a bumper month for donating our various collections of recycling; 3 kgs of drinks ring pulls to The Purple Community Fund, 4 kgs of corks to Majestic Wines for The Eden Project and 11 kgs of gently worn bras and new packs of pants to Smalls for All. A big thank you to all our wonderful collectors, but, a particularly big thank you to the Croft House Cookies WI in Mirfield for their amazing collection of bras.
Members and friends enjoyed a Harvest Lunch on Sunday 15th, books and produce were sold along with a raffle and auction of a beautiful donated quilt together with an excellent lunch made and served by members. £370 was raised for local charities.
June & July Jaunts & Celebrations
A trip to RHS Bridgewater Place on July 4th. A joint social event with the Masons in aid of Zarach and the month rounded off with Afternoon Tea to celebrate Hilda’s 100th birthday.
Scarborough Beach Clean 6th June 2024May Matters
Dewsbury & District Soroptimists rose to Ruth Healey’s 90 for 90 Challenge and donned 90 gently worn bras. The 90 bras have been sent to Smalls for All, a charity that provides underwear for women and girls in the UK and Africa who can’t afford or get any. smallsforall.org.
Several members of Dewsbury & District served refreshments at the 75th Anniversary Celebration Day at Mirfield Library on the 18th May 2024.
A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party was enjoyed on May 19th,good food good company and a quiz grightened up a dull day. Members attended four Charter lunches and dinners during April and May.
The speaker meeting was held at Dewsbury Golf Club with lunch followed by a talk about The History of the Dennby Dale Pies by Christine Leveridge.
April Activities
On the 25th April 2024, Ruth Healey, SIGBI Federation President attended an ‘Orange Cafe on Steroids’ at the Ravensthorpe Community Centre. Ruth was given a very warm welcome from the management of the community centre. Later, Ruth planted a redwood in Dewsbury Country Park, with the assistance of Susie, our Yorkshire President.
The AGM was held at Dewsbury golf club with guests from the Refuge who received a donation to mark the end of this year’s fundraising for them.