Members and guests enjoyed  an entertaining and informative Flower arranging demonstration raising £198.48 for the Meru project.There was an excellent finger buffet and as usual Joan Bentley cast her magic to create a succession of beautiful arrangements which were won by some lucky members of the audience. The Meru project supports women and children in Kenya ( see Meru Project page)

Members enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at the home of club  member Sheila.  Members relaxed in  the garden in glorious sunshine and £181.55 was raised for Period Poverty.  The sanitary items purchased were presented to Rachael Hoggarth the Project manager at Barrow Women’s Centre at the club meeting in October. This will help women and girls experiencing  ” period poverty”  

Members enjoyed delicious food and French wines at a French Evening at the home of member Sonia. £219 was raised for the Meru Project in Kenya. This enables women to develop gardens by providing education and equipment. The economic empowerment which results benefits the women and the whole community.

Members ran very successful refreshment stalls at the Edwardian Festival. There were bumper crowds who we served gallons of drinlks ands tasty sandwichews and cakes. Mary Ann Harris  our Immediate Past President was presented with flowers in recognition of her 25 years service to the Edwardian Festival. [new_royalslider id=”9″]

Seven club members representing Singing for Memory attended a reception at Holehird hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria Mrs Claire Hensman. Six voluntary groups nominated for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service were at the reception including Grange Soroptimists Singing for Memory.

Seven members  visited Barrow women’s Centre  and were taken around the new premises by Rachael Hoggarth the Centre Manager and were able to see firsrt hand the excellent work going on to support  teenage girls  and women in multiple wauys. Members took the opportunity to take items for the Clothes and Equipment  bank  at the centre. Members came away inspired.   http://www.womenscommunitymatters.org/

Memnbers enjoyed a celebratory meal at the Club AGM.. After the AGM Lesley Smyth gave the club a short talk on her recent visit to Meru in Kenya.

Club members enjoyed a club trip  to  the musical Sister Act in the Victoria Hall , followed by a meal at Thyme Out. dav         

Club members and friends  enjoyed haggis, neeps and tatties at a  Burns night supper on Friday 26th January. Ewan Cameron piped in the haggis and did  a full address to the haggis. The traditional speeches were followed by singing of Scottish songs led by Janice Carrick. A good time was had by all  and £510 was raised for club charities including South Lakeland Mind and Child Line.