{"id":2,"date":"2013-02-22T09:36:37","date_gmt":"2013-02-22T09:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/anyclub\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-04-03T16:11:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:11:53","slug":"about-our-club","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/east-grinstead\/","title":{"rendered":"Club Homepage"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1567429369815{padding-top: 70px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Welcome To SI East Grinstead<\/h2>\n

Welcome to the web site of<\/p>\n

Soroptimist International East Grinstead<\/p>\n

Soroptimist International is a vibrant organisation for\u00a0 women. We\u00a0work through service projects, fundraising, and advocacy to advance the status of women and girls. This is done locally, at national and international level. Friendship and fun are also key elements of our club.<\/p>\n

If you would you like to:<\/p>\n

Help improve the lives of women and girls<\/p>\n

Help local, national and international communities<\/p>\n

Develop new skills<\/p>\n

Have fun<\/p>\n

Network<\/p>\n

Develop global friendship<\/p>\n

\u00a0Belong to a friendly club<\/p>\n

Then you should join our club in East Grinstead. We are very active and are involved in a range of projects, locally and internationally, to make a difference to the lives of others. We do this through awareness raising, practical help and fundraising.<\/p>\n

Formed in 1962, we meet twice a month, on the first and third Wednesday, at 7.45 pm at East Court Mansion, College Road, East Grinstead RH19 3LT.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in attending a meeting or finding out more, please get in touch using the form on our contact page.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”2″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034652-c4d3dacf-c4b7-10″ include=”4993″][vc_column_text]The Soroptimist rose was developed in America by Frank Bernardello who sent 50 plants to the UK to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Soroptimist International. When they arrived in the UK further cuttings were taken for propagation and then the SIGBI President and Region Presidents were each presented with a rose. All profits from sales of the roses go to charity. This rose was presented to Bridget, our present president, by a friend, when she took up her post.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1567429377510{padding-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034655-187ec183-54b6-10″ include=”5214,5224″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Recent Activity<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_media_grid style=”load-more” items_per_page=”9″ btn_title=”VIEW MORE” btn_style=”modern” btn_shape=”square” btn_color=”default” btn_size=”xs” btn_align=”center” btn_button_block=”true” grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034658-852d15be-3256-1″ include=”5233,5230,5244,5252,5263,5273,5269,5295,5301″][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1567429377510{padding-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Recent Club News<\/h3>\n

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Orange Cafe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_media_grid element_width=”3″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034669-f9653938-cc42-6″ include=”4686,4627,4889,4973,4972,4971,5072,5166″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Orange Cafe Dates\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday 25th April \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Friday 23rd May<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday 25th June \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Friday 25th July<\/p>\n

Thursday 25th September \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Friday 24th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuesday 25th November \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Monday 26th January<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday 25th February \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Wednesday 25th March<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Soroptimist Clubs across the country and across our Region are holding Orange Cafe events on or near the 25th of each month.\u00a0<\/strong>The 25th of the month is \u201cOrange Day\u201d<\/strong> \u00a0a day when the United Nations and Soroptimists call upon activists, to mobilise people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls<\/strong>, not only once a year on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, but every month. \u201cOrange Day\u201d<\/strong> is a day to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls.<\/p>\n

Here at the East Grinstead branch those who can meet at Chequer Mead for coffee and chat. We are pleased that other customers are asking us why we are all dressed in orange.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday 25th November \u00a02025 we met for our monthly Orange Cafe get together. This month it was a bit special as it was the first day of 16 Days of Activism and was also White Ribbon Day. As Soroptimists we also knitted white hearts to share with the community as a symbol of care, kindness and solidarity. We were delighted with the positive response that we received.<\/p>\n

This year the theme was safety online and the final message of the 16 days was as follows:<\/p>\n

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and heard online. Let’s build that space together! As we conclude our 16 Days of Activism to End Online Violence Against All Women and Girls, remember that this work doesn’t end today. Thank you for being part of this movement. Together, we can create digital communities where everyone\u2014regardless of gender, identity, or background\u2014can participate fully and safely online. #EndOnlineViolence #16DaysOfActivism”<\/p>\n

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\n
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As part of the 16 days of activism, Soroptimist International Canterbury organised a silent walk through the City. Sue and Sheila from East Grinstead Soroptimist Club headed East to join in this march.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Crawley Open House<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034680-364b352f-696a-5″ include=”4918,4959″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

At our March speaker meeting, SI of East Grinstead were delighted to welcome back Ian Wilkins, Head of Fundraising & Relationships at Crawley Open House. The Club has been supporting Open House for a number of years and Ian has visited on several occasions throughout that time to update us on their work.<\/p>\n

The idea of Open House was conceived 30 years ago by a group of three formidable women. At first accommodation was provided in two Portacabins which were donated following the construction of the Channel Tunnel but in 1999 the charity moved to its present premises in Three Bridges.<\/p>\n

Ian has been working with Open House for 22 years, first as a volunteer and then in his current role. He told us that the present is the toughest time for the charity in all those 22 years. Every night Open House\u2019s high-support hostel in Three Bridges and their several move-on houses in the community are \u2018home\u2019 to 60 men and women (some with dogs and occasionally cats!).\u00a0 Around 62% of residents are resettled somewhere more permanent.<\/p>\n

In addition to the residents, Open House welcomes around 50 people per day in their drop-in Resource Centre where they can shower, enjoy something to eat, wash their clothes or benefit from the various advice teams and agencies that visit.\u00a0 Employability and life-skills classes in art, cooking, barista skills, music, bike maintenance and help in getting your CSCS card to work on a building site are all part of the programme.\u00a0 Open House\u2019s philosophy is that skills are as important as a roof over your head. Crawley being so close to Gatwick has a large population of refugees so English Language classes are provided for them. This situation has made it necessary for Open House to provide translators, special menus and sometimes procedures that do not conflict with the refugees\u2019 cultural beliefs. We were shocked to hear that once refugees gain permission to stay in this country, they are forced to leave their accommodation in local hotels without anywhere to live or any work to go to.<\/p>\n

Recent changes to National Insurance have increased the charity\u2019s costs by \u00a328,000 as well as making it more difficult for local companies to donate.<\/p>\n

Ian\u2019s talk was both interesting and motivating and made us aware of how vital our ongoing support, albeit limited, is to their survival.\u00a0 Their work is only the tip of the iceberg when we learned that there are 354,000 homeless in England, including 161,000 children.\u00a0 This includes those in temporary accommodation but there are at least 4,000 street sleepers in England every night, the majority in London with the second highest number being in Brighton, very close to home!<\/p>\n

Rosemary Stone<\/p>\n

At Easter Jane O arranged the delivery of 20 Easter Eggs to the Open House, where they were very gratefully received.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

President\u2019s Lunch – March 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”2″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034682-5f8f9551-748e-7″ include=”4932,4931,4930,4929,4928,4927,4926,4925,4924,4923,4922,4921,4920,4919″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

President\u2019s Lunch – March 2024<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034698-ec459645-7348-0″ include=”4685,4684,4683,4682,4681,4680,4679″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Our Summer Garden Party June 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”5007,5008,5009,5010,5011,5012,5013,5014,5015,5016,5017,5019,5020,5021,5022,5023,5024,5025,5026,5027,5028,5029,5030,5031,5032,5033,5034,5035″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Sunday 8th of June we once again enjoyed our annual garden party. Despite a cool wind blowing the sun shone and we were able to stay outside in Jane\u2019s beautiful garden. Although a little late we decided to celebrate VE day and along with a collection of memorabilia that have been lent for the afternoon there was an abundance of red, white and blue<\/p>\n

Over 60 people attended and we were delighted to welcome friends and family, as well as fellow Soroptimist from Southend and Tunbridge Wells with a special welcome to Cathy Cotteridge, the immediate past president of SIGBI who played an important part in drawing our raffle. This year we had decided to have three \u201cFortnum type\u201d hampers so our winners each received a Union Jack bag full of goodies!<\/p>\n

Of course the highlight of the afternoon was the fabulous meal that we all enjoyed. There was a fantastic choice of meats, coronation chicken and salads, followed by some incredibly calorific desserts.To help with our digestion we had a pause between the main course and desert when we were entertained by the Song Sisters. They are a local choir that two of our members belong to and we were serenaded with a variety of songs, finishing with a medley from the world wars that we all enjoyed singing along to.<\/p>\n

To help us raise funds we also had a wine and water stall where for the bargain price of \u00a32 you could buy a wrapped wine bottle and on opening it could either smile with joy at seeing a bottle of wine or laugh as you realised you had received a bottle of the best English water! There was a bookstall with a large selection of books and once again Helen provided a colourful stall full of her beautifully handcrafted gifts and her almost world famous fudge\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It certainly was a fantastic afternoon.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Summer Garden Party June 2024<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column][vc_media_grid style=”load-more” items_per_page=”8″ element_width=”3″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034738-5cee1e5d-3819-6″ include=”4759,4758,4757,4756,4755,4754,4753,4752″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

East Grinstead Club hosts its annual Garden Party<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday 23 June dawned bright, sunny and warm, ideal conditions for East Grinstead Club\u2019s annual Garden Party.<\/p>\n

At 1.00 pm 46 members and guests including visitors from Croydon & District and Bromley Clubs gathered in President Alison\u2019s beautiful garden to enjoy a delicious cold buffet lunch. East Grinstead members had prepared a wonderful spread of cold meats, quiches, a wide variety of salads and a range of mouth-watering desserts.<\/p>\n

Guests had the opportunity to participate in challenges \u2013 golf, seek the egg and bacon and find the number of animals in the garden \u2013 as well as purchasing handmade craft items, pre-loved clothing and books. There was also a raffle with some very attractive prizes.\u00a0 All proceeds from the afternoon will be donated to President Alison\u2019s chosen charities.<\/p>\n

Unlike last year when the heavens opened towards the end of the event, this year\u2019s Garden Party was blessed with glorious weather throughout \u2013 a lovely occasion of fun, food and fellowship.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Summer Cocktail Party August 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1775229034753-7b430b2e-f892-5″ include=”5089,5088,5087,5086,5085,5084,5083,5082,5081″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Wednesday 20th August we held our annual summer cocktail event at the home of Sue Edgar, one of our members and the current region president. 42 members, husbands and friends gathered together to enjoy cocktails as well as delicious cheese or jam and cream scones, and chocolate brownies, all prepared by Helen Pond.<\/p>\n

We were delighted to welcome visitors from Sevenoaks and Folkestone clubs as well as Roxanne Sinclair our region president elect. Everyone was given a raffle ticket on arrival and several very attractive prizes were won at the end of the evening. The weather was kind enabling us to mingle inside and out. We raised \u00a3350 for club charities so altogether very successful and happy evening.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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