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 successful career in the steel industry, often being the only woman in a very male dominated environment. She is real role model for girls, showing that even if you leave school with few qualifications it does not necessarily mean you can’t return, and succeed, in education at a later time. Nor does working in a male dominated industry mean you can’t succeed! Helen’s determination and ability to deal with some extremely

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.

On Monday 26th February several members met for the monthly Orange Cafe at Chequer Mead. Those of us present  certainly added some colour to the cafe and enjoyed coffee and some excellent conversation     At our meeting on Wednesday 21st February we were delighted to welcome Pate Dale MBE and a member of the Croydon Soroptimists. She gave us a fascinating, and frequently amusing, account of her life in the immigration service in the Civil Service and her vast involvement with the Soroptimists. This included talking about her present role as the SI Representative to the Commonwealth. There has certainly never been a dull moment in her life!     Having been requested by SIGBI to contribute to publicity for International Women’s Day on 8 March, East Grinstead members were invited to attend their recent meeting wearing Suffragette colours of purple, white and green.

Once again the Club has collected much needed Christmas gifts for I Choose Freedom a women’s refuge in Reigate and Crawley Open House, a residential and drop-in centre for the homeless.  As in previous years members delivered their gifts to a Christmas grotto (above), this time located at President Jane Griffiths’ home.  Having handed over their presents, members enjoyed a time of fellowship with coffee, cake and chat.  Handmade Christmas goodies provided by one of our members were also on sale raising money for Club charities.  The colour orange was very evident in the grotto and some members wore orange accessories in support of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.  As shown by the number of bags in the accompanying photographs, members have once again been very generous in supporting these two very worthy causes.  Of course, their needs are ongoing throughout the

  SI East Grinstead Remembers On November 12th, President Jane Griffiths, President Elect Alison Skinner and other members of the Club took part in the Remembrance Sunday service in memory of those killed in two World Wars and other conflicts around the world.  President Jane laid a wreath on behalf of the Club alongside representatives of other local organisations.  A vast crowd turned out to mark the occasion and to give thanks for those who sacrificed their lives to give us freedom.

At East Grinstead’s Club meeting on Wednesday, September 20th, members were delighted to welcome and induct four new  members; Gill Beeney, Aileen Hargreaves, Kate Benstead, and Angela Sharpe, pictured with President Jane Griffiths (centre). All of them have attended meetings and functions over the past few months and we are so pleased that they have  been  encouraged to join us. We look forward to working with them.                   On September 23rd Members gathered at the Holiday Inn, Wrotham, for our 64th Regional Annual General Meeting. President Lynne welcomed us all to her last Regional Meeting, as her year in office ends at the London Conference. At the final part of the day, it was time for Annette to announce the first winners of the Grace Onions ‘Our Planet, Our Future’ Award.  The very worthy winners chosen were SI