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Charity Shop Christmas Window Competition- The Results

Charity Shop Christmas Window Competition- The Results

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It is over 15 years since we started the Christmas Shop Window Competition.  Originally for Commercial and Charity shops in Harrogate Town.  More recently just for charity shops but including the nearby towns of Ripon, Boroughbridge and Knaresborough. But nothing prepared us for this year. #Covid-19 has taken its toll on retail in the commercial and charity sectors. Many charity shops have only been open for less than 5 months this year. Some have not opened since March. The impact on the charities they help raise funds for is a massive loss of income. Charities support our values of improving the lives of people locally, nationally and globally.                   The Christmas Shop Window Competition gives us an opportunity to recognise the work the Charity shops do. That is why we were delighted that the majority of the

Busy December for Harrogate and District Soroptimists

Busy December for Harrogate and District Soroptimists

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Harrogate and District Soroptimsits had a very busy run up to Christmas including the judging of our own Charity Shop Christmas Shop Window Competition in Harrogate Borough and Wetherby as well as supporting Harrogate Rotary Club judge the Commercial Shops in Harrogate Town Centre. We supported the Wetherby Lions Christmas Market and raised over £200 for our Charities and had fun and laughter at our Christmas Party held at Ascot House Hotel in Harrogate. Some of us were also able to squeeze in a lovely Mulled Wine and Mince pie morning at member Christabel England’s home to raise funds for our joint project to help build a school library with SI Blantyre in Malawi. And not forgetting our Christmas party for our Contact the Elderly Group (now known as Re-Engage). The Mayor of Harrogate Borough Cllr. Stuart Martin MBE and Club President Mrs Sylvia Purser

Wetherby Winners in Charity Shop Competition

Wetherby Winners in Charity Shop Competition

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St Gemma’s Hospice Charity Shop  was the worthy winner of the  Gill Smith Memorial Cup for the best dressed Charity shop Christmas window in Wetherby. Cancer Research UK was also Highly Commended. The judging panel organised by Club members who live in Wetherby included The Mayor of Wetherby, Cllr. Galan Moss and Cllr. Cindy Bentley.  The Mayor of Wetherby and Club President Elsie Johnston presented the awards at the event organised by Welcome to Wetherby that took place at the Town Hall on 13th December. President Elsie Johnston said, ‘The judges were impressed by the innovation, impact and the spirit of Christmas that the shops displayed. We recognise that the shops have limited resources. The managers and  volunteers who work in them do a fantastic job in dressing  their Christmas Shop Windows.  Charity shops play a crucial role in ensuring the organisations they represent have

The Results are in – Harrogate Borough Charity Shop Christmas Window Competition

The Results are in – Harrogate Borough Charity Shop Christmas Window Competition

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Harrogate and District Soroptimist’s are delighted to recognise the resourcefulness and imagination of the managers and volunteers who run the charity shops in some of the main shopping areas of Harrogate Borough namely Harrogate Town, Ripon and Boroughbridge, and Knaresborough with Starbeck. We first presented the Soroptimist Cup for the Best Dressed window back in 2004 as part of our five year project to Light up Harrogate. In 2010 we were delighted to be invited by Harrogate at Christmas to run the Harrogate Christmas Shop Window Competition. Three years ago we narrowed our focus to concentrate on the Charity Shops but broadened our reach to include the neighbouring towns and areas to reflect where our members come from. Harrogate Rotary Club took up the mantle and have done at fantastic job in running the Commercial Shop Competition since then. Soroptimist International seeks to improve the lives

Charity Shops Christmas Window Displays Winners and Highly Commended Celebrated

Charity Shops Christmas Window Displays Winners and Highly Commended Celebrated

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Winter wonderlands, snowmen, a rocking horse, lions, witches and Scrooge himself provided a fantastic array of shop windows across Harrogate Borough in Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District’s annual charity shop Christmas window competition. The competition is judged in three zones – Harrogate Town, Ripon and Boroughbridge; Knaresborough with Starbeck. The winners and highly commended shops in Harrogate Town were announced on 16th November at the Big Switch. Judging of the other zones took place on the 27th November. The criteria for judging was Impact, innovation and the spirit of Christmas and this year the judges were very impressed by how this had been interpreted by the shops. Harrogate and District Soroptimists were pleased to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Harrogate Borough Cllr Christine Willoughby and her consort Andrew Willoughby to join President Nicola Harding in announcing the winners and highly commended shops from Knaresborough

Charity Shops Excel in Christmas Window Dressing Competition

Charity Shops Excel in Christmas Window Dressing Competition

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Harrogate and District Soroptimists are very pleased to announce the winner and highly commended Charity Shops in the Charity Shop Christmas Window dressing competition in Harrogate Town. This year we worked with the Harrogate Rotary Club and judged the commercial shops along side the Charity Shops using the same criteria Illumination, Innovation and ‘the spirit of Christmas’. This year four charity shops were shortlisted – the scores were that close and all shops very different. We are pleased to announce that the Winner is Scope in Beulah St. Highly Commended are Save the Children, Commercial St, Oxfam Montpellier  and The Harrogate Fair Trade Shop, St Peter’s Church, Harrogate. President Nicola Harding presented the Soroptimist  International of Harrogate and District Cup  for the best dressed Charity Shop Christmas window to Helen  from Scope at the Harrogate at Christmas  ‘Big Switch On’ at the Victoria Centre on 16