On Wednesday 4th December we were delighted to welcome Katy Bourne OBE, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner to our club. She is seen here in the centre of the photo with President Alison to her left and Maria Ody, Mayoress on her right. Katy delivered an amusing and informative talk about her role, why it was deemed necessary when it was introduced in 2012 and some of her achievements. Katy has been the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner since 2012, and is now serving her fourth term in this role. Under her leadership Sussex Police has become one of the top performing police forces in England and Wales for answering emergency calls, she has funded 8 Victim Co-ordinator posts in a ground-breaking unit called “Fides” to support victims of rape and sexual support during police investigations and prosecutions and has allocated funds to directly support

                  On Saturday 16th November we had a stall at  Stildon Caew Home’s Christmas Fair. Helen’s incredible crafting and Jane’s cakes helped to raise £80 for our funds. Bridget, President Alison and Gill helped Helen set up, run the stall and pack away.           In November at the Lingfield Nature Reserve several members replanted the tree that had been previously planted in memory  of Anita, and scattered bluebell bulbs under the tree of president Alison’s mother. It is always sad to say farewell to a member of the club but it is good to know that we have a place where we can go to remember them. Several past members now have a memorial to them at the reserve and we hope to soon produce a map to show where each Soroptimist is remembered.At the start of November 14 members

Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Beyond At our late October meeting, East Grinstead Club were delighted to welcome Kay Linnell and Barbara Jeremiah who told about their involvement in one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history, The Post Office Scandal. The case had been rumbling on for around 19 years and it took a television drama to bring it to the attention of the general public and cause universal outrage. Well over 500 sub-postmasters and postmistresses had been wrongly accused of embezzling huge sums of money, the loss of all of which was due to errors within the Post Office computer system. Some of the accused had lost their homes, their life’s savings, their livelihoods, their health and in some cases their lives. Kay, a forensic accountant together with her business partner Barbara, both of whom are members of

At our September speaker meeting we were delighted to welcome Esther Klijn who came to speak to us about campanology. In an interesting, informative and entertaining presentation Esther told us about the history of bellringing in churches, the skills required of the ringers and some of the possible dangers of the activity! If you are not careful you could find yourself flying up in the air!! It was thoroughly enjoyable evening       On Saturday 14th September several members and friends of the club met at President Alison’s house hoping to celebrate the Last Night of the Proms in the garden. Sadly the British weather proved to be too chilly and everyone moved indoors, where along with joining in with the singing, people enjoyed picnics, Pimms and hot gooseberry crumble and meringues. Everyone had a very enjoyable time.   SIEG collected 90 items for

On Wednesday August 23rd we were invited to Sue’s house to enjoy summer cocktails. Although it wasn’t the sunniest evening we managed to avoid the rain and enjoy a relaxing evening talking to colleagues who we hadn’t seen for a while due to the summer break and welcoming some friends to join us. We were particularly pleased that our local MP Mims Davies and local councillor Adam Peacock found time to join us. As can be seen below Adam seemed to enjoy himself. The evening finished with a raffle which caused some amusement when Jane won the prize that she had donated!! She decided to re-raffle it! Thank you Sue for a lovely evening.    

On Thursday 18th July 3 of our members spent the day at a local secondary school interviewing year 10 students as part of a Futures Day. Students had “applied” for a job, completed a letter of application and CV and were then interviewed for the posts by ourselves and about 25 other people. It was a very enjoyable, and in some cases, eye opening day for us and the students.     On Wednesday 3rd July we were delighted to welcome Helen Gray (BEng, MBA, CEng FIMMM) to our meeting. She delivered an inspirational talk about here life as a metallurgist. She left school with few qualifications and returned to education around the age of 26. Having completed sufficient qualifications to allow her to apply to university she eventually graduated with a first class honours degree in Materials Engineering. She has had a varied and

Sussex Search & Rescue (SusSAR) At Wednesday 19th June’s meeting we had a very interesting, informative and enjoyable evening. Members of (SusSAR) gave us an overall picture of what the service is and how it works.  Sussar was formed in 2002, in the wake of Sarah Payne’s abduction, recognising the need for a high standard, ‘professional’ service, manned entirely by volunteers!  They work directly to the Police and with the other emergency services. It is the primary search resource for Sussex Police. Theye are a dedicated team of professionally trained and equipped local volunteers who can employ specialist skills in the search for vulnerable missing persons We felt very privileged to hear their amazing stories and share their experiences.  What a team they are  An inspirational evening.  

Saturday 1st June was a busy day for East Grinstead Soroptimists. While some of us were manning a stall at a local care home fete others were enjoying being part of SI Eastbourne’s 70th Anniversary lunch.   On Wednesday 15th May we were delighted to welcome Dr Jane Moorhead, a cConsultant Clinical scientist at King’s College London who delivered an excellent (and mentally demanding!) talk showing how things moved from research to actual medical practice.   On Monday 13th May members spent a social morning filling the Anti Spiking bags which have been distributed to some of the local pubs in East Grinstead.

At the meeting on Wednesday 17th April we thanked President Jane for her year as president  and welcomed Alison as President for 2024/2025. President Alison’s first task was to welcome Bridget as president elect before letting us know about the programme for next year.     On Saturday 13th April we were pleased to welcome visitors from Southend Soroptimists for a frienship day. We all enjoyed a tour of Sackville College , a visit to East Court and afternoon tea.       Earlier in the month members were involved with Action Form Filling. One of President’s Jane ’s final activities was a thank you supper to the East Grinstead Soroptimists executive.            

    On Wednesday 20th March we welcomed our latest member, Lana Peile, to the club   . Fairtrade Big Brew On Saturday 9th March President Jane Griffiths and Anne Richards organised the Soroptimist cake stall at the Fairtrade Big Brew at Lingfield Community Centre     Friday 8th March was International Women’s Day and East Grinstead Soroptimists chose it as the day to launch their Anti Spiking Campaign in some of the East grinstead pubs. By providing protectors for glasses and bottles it is hoped that it will reduce drinks being spiked.       At our meeting on Wednesday 6th March we were delighted to welcome Richard Leman, OBE, to our club. Richard is East Grinstead born and bred and has been involved in the running of East Grinstead Sports Club since 1988. He delivered a very entertaining, and at times emotional talk.