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Celebrated!

Celebrated!

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The fashions might have been very different, but in 1954 the founding members of Grange-over-Sands Soroptimists were already rolling their sleeves up. It was still hard times in England and abroad, the cold and hungry needed money and blankets, and the women were determined to do their bit. That year donations were sent to Australia for the relief of flood victims, 2 guide dogs were purchased, and gifts delivered to the elderly and lonely in the town.  70 years on, and Grange members have celebrated their Platinum Jubilee, but still no time to put theoir feet up. According to most of the members “that is what it’s all about”, whether it be swimming to supply shelterboxes with emergency supplies in Gaza, gardening to maintain a sensory garden as a peaceful haven in the town, sewing drainage bags for mastectomy patients, or cantering around Cartmel Racecourse

Bags of fun at our Sewing Bee

Bags of fun at our Sewing Bee

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Members met to sew material bags  which will be given to women in local hospitals after a mastectomy. The cloth bags hold the drainage bag  both in hospital and for a few days after discharge from hospital. Patients find them really useful  for walking around whilst still having a drain in situ. Members and friendsreally enjoyed getting together to do something so worthwhile. Ward 7 at Westmorland General Hospital were delighhted to receive 44  bags  and we  will continue to supply more as required. If you are interested in becoming a member or finding out more  please CONTACT US Handing drain bag holders to Ward 7, Westmorland General
Upcoming event Clothes Swap Friday 7th November

Upcoming event Clothes Swap Friday 7th November

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Join Grange Soroptimists and friends for a fun evening swapping clothes while enjoying a glass of fizz and doing your bit to save the planet. Our event opens at 18:15 when you are invited to relax with a drink and listen to our fabulous guest speaker while we display your items ready for the swap. Tickets include one glass of fizz (Prosecco or alcohol-free alternative) per person. This will be our third clothes swap event. Both previous events have been a sell out so buy your ticket now to avoid missing out. Tickets £5 from Try booking. Entry by ticket with at least 1 item of pre loved clothing in good condition.  Get directions Cartmel Village Hall The Square, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6QB By 2050, the fashion industry is on course to produce 138 billion items of unworn clothes every year – enough to
Visit to Friendship link Clubs Viareggio and Prague

Visit to Friendship link Clubs Viareggio and Prague

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Three members visited  one of our Friendship link clubs, Viareggio in Italy enjoying international friendship,  a gala dinner, sunshine, a Puccini opera, ravioli making and much more. One member went on to Prague, another of our Friendship link clubs for their 30th anniversary and celebrated with 50 other Soroptimists from all over Europe.Soroptimist Internationl is worldwide and members enjoyed meeting like minded women and having a great time In Viareggio  enjpoyimng great hospitality and also meeting membersfrom SI Brussels Celebrating 30 years of SI Prague and meeting members from other European countries
UPCOMING EVENT-Flower Demonstration by Joan Bentley October 19th

UPCOMING EVENT-Flower Demonstration by Joan Bentley October 19th

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Join Grange Soroptimists and friends at Cartmel Village Hall  for a fun afternoon, with expert flower arranger  Joan Bentley demonstrating  multiple arrangements, entertaining us and showing us some new skills and tips. Our event opens at 14.00 when you are invited to sit back and watch Joan and then enjoy  an interval with homemade cake and freshly brewed tea and coffee. Tickets at £8  include one piece of cake per person and all proceeds go towards our Christmas hampers for needy families attending Barrow Women’s Centre. The raffle of the arrangements at the end is always a highlight! This will be our ninth Flower demonstration event. Previous events have been a sell out so buy your ticket now to avoid missing out. Tickets are available via Isabel and Chris ( see above) or  on line If yoiu are interested in finding out moreabout usor are
Train training – Grange Over Sands action for safer travel on our networks

Train training – Grange Over Sands action for safer travel on our networks

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Time was when the cry of Oh Mr Porter might have helped a woman or girl in distress on the rail networks. Not any more. A report by British Transport Police (published in Police Professional last year) stated that violent crimes against women had increased by 20% in the foregoing year. The problem persists, and to Grange Over Sands Soroptimists, it was a clear call to action. In recent weeks our members have been present at stations in the region – with due permission from the Network of course – to hand out some pithy, portable advice. Printed on business size cards the message is simple, but vital. And judging by the reception we had, very welcome.    

How did Grange Soroptimists help Victims of Torture?

How did Grange Soroptimists help Victims of Torture?

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The last items for our Freedom from Torture recycling sack Grange Soroptimists once again have collected items like old mobile phones, I Pads, jewellery,  cameras, stamps, old curency and Sat Navs  to send off for recycling to Recycling for Good Causes, raising funds for Freedom from Torture,  a charity supporting victims of torture who have fled to the UK. We added the last few items  to our sack when members met for coffee at the Bay Horse, Canal Foot, Ulverston where we posed for a photo with the beautiful view in the background! We collected a staggering 25 Kg of items which would otherwise have been thrown out. This is our third collection over the last 5 years Anyone interested in finding out more about our club or wanting to join us  please CONTACT US The Freedom from Torture magazine Ready for the courier
Grange-over-Sands Soroptimists Get All Geed Up

Grange-over-Sands Soroptimists Get All Geed Up

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Racegoers at Cartmel on 28 May this year were treated to a rare sighting: the trusty (inflatable) steeds of Grange-over-Sands Soroptimists. Champion the thoroughbred, ridden by Janice Carrick, and pit pony Bloddwyn. ridden by Rebecca Bilkau were accompanied by trainers and supporters Sheila Cheesebrough, Lynne Coles, Isabel Huggett, and Penny Ward. Rumoured to have promised punters not to enter the real race track for a small consideration, the teams raised smiles all round. Plus an over £600 for Barrow Women’s Centre . Some lessons were learned: rattling tins may have been superseded by card readers, for example. Many people these days don’t carry cash, but are happy to swipe at least a fiver in the charity’s direction. All in all though, the Soroptomist Stable had a lovely day at the races and were able to support great and vital work for women facing difficulty.

A great time at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve 17 July

A great time at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve 17 July

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Good weather for ducks! Despite picking an unseasonably wet day, 13 members of our club thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Leighton Moss. One of our members, Kath Smith, who works at the centre, led us enthusiastically around the attractions helping us to identify different species of birds and plant life. She also explained how the RSPB came into existence thanks to a lady called Emily Williamson back in the 1920's. A visit to the on-site cafe for tea and cake provided us with a chance to all dry off before members headed home. Five members decided to make another pit stop at a local wine bar in Arnside for pizza and wine to finish the day off in style.
Lend with Care

Lend with Care

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Lend with care Grange Soroptimists have just lent a total of £997 into the Lend with Care scheme. We have made loans ranging from £150 to £493 to  3 different projects with 27 different female entrepreneurs, 37 family members and created 8 jobs. The loans will help them buy a range of items to support and expand their businesses. The projects range from a grocery store in Paraguay, a group running grocery stores, second hand clothing and market stalls in Zambia allowing them to support many dependent children including orphans and thirdly a pork roasting business in the Philippines who need to buy more pigs! All of the recipients will make repayments, and as these come in it  will allow us to re-use the same money to help more people. It’s a win-win situation, and a circle of support which can keep on running indefinitely!