President – Mrs Linda Davis
SI Dewsbury had a busy year. Fundraising activities included the following:
- a Garden Party with Plant Sale – in aid of the President’s charity – The Luke and Marcus Trust
- a stall at Ossett Gala selling bags, hats, scarves and jewelry – in aid of the President’s charity
- a social evening with St John’s Masonic Lodge and Dewsbury Rotary – in Aid of Project SIerra
- a canal boat trip – in aid of the President’s charity
- a ‘white evening’ – in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research
- a friendship evening at a member’s home -in aid of the President’s charity
- a musical evening featuring Miscellany – in aid of the President’s charity
- a Carol Service – in aid of the International President’s Appeal ‘Restoring Dignity’
- a social evening with St John’s Masonic Lodge and Dewsbury Rotary where members provided entertainment – in aid of Water Aid and the President’s charity
- Saturday of Service raising awareness of both Soroptimist International and the Luke and Marcus Trust
- a project titled – ‘Soroptimist…you’re hired’ – in aid of our Soroptimist Sisters in Zimbabwe
Members also enjoyed several social events such as a visit to London. a visit to the theatre and to a pantomime -(Oh no we didn’t!’), joining in with Scarecrow and Christmas Tree Festivals at a local church, helping with Traidcraft and helping in the local community.
The Club activities are described in more detail below:
Charter Lunch
SI Dewsbury’s Charter Lunch was held on June 22nd 2008 at Blenheim House, Batley. Margaret Watson of the Dewsbury Reporter was the Speaker.
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Visit of SI Dewsbury to the Royal Courts of Justice
A group of members spent a wonderful weekend in London at the beginning of October 2008. A morning visit to the Royal Courts of Justice included a tour and being permitted to sit in a court in process. In the evening we watched a reconstruction of the trial of Penn and Mead (1670) presented by Nigel Pascoe Q.C.
Members meeting one of the Performers in Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Those who went to this performance were truly amazed at the mens’ skills in dancing ‘en pointe’. We laughed from start to finish and thoroughly enjoyed the comedy and exquisite athleticism.
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Presentation of Awards to Long Serving Members
Long Service Awards for 25 years or more were presented to 7 members at the Annual Lunch by SI Yorkshire President Mrs Pat Shore. Another 8 members received their Awards at the following two club meetings.
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Ossett Gala July 19th 2008
Members donated hats, handbags, scarves and jewellery to sell on SI Dewsbury’s stall at Ossett Gala. A representative from the Luke and Marcus Trust joined us to give out leaflets raising awareness of their work. Monies raised were added to the ongoing President’s charity fund (The Luke and Marcus Trust).
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Enjoying a trip on a barge
On a sunny August afternoon members and friends were messing about on the water! Seriously, by paying for the trip we raised a good bit of money through this popular event for the President’s charity.
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Scarecrow Festival – Esmeralda goes to Church
President Linda and a few members met at her house armed with straw, sticks, string and a posh suit and hat to create a scarecrow. After a few drinks Esmeralda was born. With great elegance, she then went to the Scarecrow Festival at Thornhill Parish Church.
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Carol Service
On December 7th 2008 SI Dewsbury’s Annual Carol Service was held at St Michael and All Angels Church in Thornhill attended by Councillor Karem Hussain, The Mayor of Kirklees MBC, Mrs Pat Drake, SI Yorkshire President and a large number of guests. A collection was taken in aid of the December 10th Soroptimist International President’s Appeal ‘ Restoring Dignity’.
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Rehearsing Prince Charming and the Ugly Sisters!
Soroptiella – a pantomime based on Cinderella written, directed and performed by members ended the year in an uproarous and hilarious manner. Much enjoyed by all within the Christmas meeting.
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Soroptimist You’re hired Project
SI Dewsbury members were set a challenge for their Programme Action work with the theme “Soroptimist You’re Hired”. Five groups of nine members each were formed by means of selection from a hat in order to randomly mix members and each group given £10 to increase by whatever means with the aims to:
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Create awareness of the current plight in Zimbabwe.
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Raise funds to be sent to the Soroptimist clubs in Zimbabwe.
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To involve non soroptimists in these events and also increase wider awareness of Soroptimism.
The challenge would be held from mid January to mid March 2009
Groups met and fund raising ideas were buzzing as ideas were formulated and events planned, each group was asked to give themselves a name. By the next meeting ideas and events were announced to the club and diaries were soon filled with each others activities although the main idea was not to just raise funds from only club members.
Over the next month feet didn’t touch the ground as one by one different activities were held and supported by all.
The Gold & Silver Threads held two coffee mornings in spite of the snowy weather
The Fashion Divas held a very successful evening selling new and nearly new clothes.
The Gourmet Fillies fed hungry guests at lunches and dinners, and a set of attractive bookmarks was created and sold at events.
The Dewsbury Dynamos’ creative talents emerged as a selection of a member’s watercolour paintings were photographed and turned into packs of notelets, also marmalade was made and a sponsored walk organised.
The Wine Drinkers Anonymous held a coffee morning and sold greetings cards made by a member, and a Games Evening with beetle drive, bingo, quizzes and soup & roll supper was also enjoyed.
Elizabeth Hughes was invited to come and talk to the club at the end of the project, to explain how and where the funds raised would be used. Each group reported how they had multiplied their initial £10 into a much larger sum.
Everyone immensely enjoyed the whole project and although a great amount of effort and support of each other had gone into it a greater amount of fun and friendship had also grown as members had the opportunity to really get to know each other and engender a true spirit of friendship within the club.
Each group increased their £10 way beyond initial expectations and a cheque for a magnificent £1900.00 was presented to Elizabeth Hughes on March 12 2009.