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In memory of Dorothy Taylor 1935-2025

In memory of Dorothy Taylor 1935-2025

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It is with much sadness that the Club announce the loss of Dorothy Taylor, one of our longest serving members. Eulogy by  Judith Webb, Neighbour and sister Soroptimist It is with great sadness that I write about Dorothy but it is also a privilege to tell you about her. Early life  I first met Dorothy in 1986 when we had both moved in to our new bungalows in Ripon and amazingly as we got to know each other we found we had been living parallel lives. In our youth, we both lived on King’s Road, and attended Harrogate Grammar School.  Dorothy had been appointed Head Girl. Eventually after some time working in chemical research, which led to some interesting incidents she became a primary school teacher and finally a head teacher at Husthwaite, a country primary school. Family Life Dorothy married Maurice and they had

Lights, Camera and Makeup – An insight into a Makeup Artists life

Lights, Camera and Makeup – An insight into a Makeup Artists life

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The guest speaker at our October speaker meeting was Pamela Clare Louise Bridget O’Donnell Cooper or Pamela Clare, Professionally or PC by friends.   PC’s  had an eclectic career, from jockey to in demand TV and film makeup artist via chauffeuring and a career she never wanted to do – Christian Dior National Make-Up Artist. Despite working in an impressionable industry,she has always been proud of her Yorkshire accent. Having started her make up career in the beauty industry working on London Fashion Week and making up Madonna and Kylie Minogue, she has also worked on well-known TV shows such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale. She recounted her experience having had Piers Brosnan in the make up chair. PC was massaging his hands.  She enjoyed the process so much Piers had to say ‘I think my hands are done now’. PC now specializes in prosthetic

White Knights – helping the NHS save lives and money

White Knights – helping the NHS save lives and money

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Club members were delighted to welcome Matthew Beynon-Tullett from  Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes. Matthew gave a most interesting and informative talk.  Healthcare is a 24/7 requirement. We know that there are gaps in the system out of hours and at weekends.  In an emergency time is of the essence and the blood bikes are there to make sure blood and pathology samples, plasma tissue etc get to the right place quickly despite the time of day or night. Before the Whiteknights it was costing the NHS thousands of pounds in taxis to transport ‘out of hours’s samples etc to where they need to get to. The Whiteknights in a volunteer organisation.  They support local hospitals urgent deliveries by Volunteer Bikers. The service is Free to local hospitals and hospices.The Yorkshire Whiteknights are part of the  National Association of Blood Bikes.  The Bikers are part of

Club welcomes new members

Club welcomes new members

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At our September Business meeting President Christine welcomed two new members to the Club. Karen and Anne bring a wealth of experience in knowledge to the Club. They are keen to get involved in our Programme Action work to improve the lives of women and girls. We recognise that when joining any club it takes a while to get to know how things run. That is why all our new members have a named mentor for the first year. Photos are of Karen and Anne with President Christine and their sponsors and mentors.

President’s Blog – July

President’s Blog – July

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President’s BLOG – JULY 2024 What glorious weather we experienced at the end of July and especially for the Club’s summer recess period.  I hope you  all joined me in getting out an about enjoying the warmth and sunshine.. So what have I been up to? At the end of June, it was a privilege to be at the Wesley Chapel with Heather and Sandra J.  for the ordination of our fellow member Sarah, who is now the Revd. Sarah Caddell. Sarah, many congratulations from all of us and we wish you all the very best with the move to your new home and as you begin your role as presbyter in the Ripon and Lower Dales Methodist Circuit.  I am sure you are going to be kept very busy.           Clothes Swap I so enjoyed going to my 1st clothes

Summer Outing in Beautiful Nidderdale at Whittakers Gin Distillery

Summer Outing in Beautiful Nidderdale at Whittakers Gin Distillery

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  Whittaker Gin and Whiskey Club members and a couple of Soroptimisters  enjoyed a wonderful evening in beautiful #Nidderdale tasting Whittakers Gin on 19th June. The distillery, based at Harewell House Farm in Dacre Banks, Harrogate, started in 2019. Toby Whittaker welcomed us with a glass of gin and tonic or non alcoholic alternative as we sat in the evening sun. He gave us a guided tour of the distillery and spoke about the processes of making Gin and Whiskey. All the different flavours of Gin were explained.  Toby then took us into the area where  many casks of Whiskey were Maturing.  The casks, in order to produce the best flavour were amazingly expensive with some coming from the USA, Spain and Madeira. Gin Tasting This was followed by tasting 8 Gins, with very tasty Pork Pies and nibbles followed by delicious Pepperoni and Margareta

The New Zealand Garden – Valley Gardens, Harrogate

The New Zealand Garden – Valley Gardens, Harrogate

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  At our last speaker meeting on the 15th May, Sue Wood, Horticultural Development Officer for North Yorkshire Council, gave a fascinating insight into the history and development of the New Zealand Garden, in the English Heritage Grade 2 listed Garden,  Valley Gardens in Harrogate. Sue is also a judge for various agencies including Britain in Bloom and the RHS specialising in tender plants. Sue described herself as a ‘plantaholic’ in her role for NYC. She gave a very interesting and illustrated presentation about the original development of the New Zealand Garden within Valley Gardens in the 1950s, including its links to Wellington, Harrogate Town Twinning and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. And, its revival and re-planting in 2023. Sue described the difficulties and challenges in creating a garden using native New Zealand plants in cold and wet Yorkshire soil.   The garden’s revival

Annual General Meeting and Change of Office

Annual General Meeting and Change of Office

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What a Year! Our 90th year closed at our AGM on the 17th April. We thanked President Pat for leading us through our wonderful celebrations. Pat thanked all the members for what we have achieved and our very active Programme Action projects. We welcomed new President Christine, President Elect Sheila and Vice President Heather. Regional President Susie presented Long Service Awards to Janet, Nicola, Judith, Liz, Sylvia and Sue – nearly 200 years in total. Val was honoured to accept Honorary Membership of the Club for her service to the Club, Region and Federation. A great evening and we are looking forward to a year of Focus on Programme Action and Fun and Friendship.#Harrogate #ripon #boroughbridge #wetherby #knaresborough Resurrected Bites Toilet Twinning Dementia Forward Saint Michael’s Hospice The Trussell Trust Soroptimist SIGBICare in Action – Турбота в Дії Who is who – Centre: President Christine

President’s Blog – April 2024

President’s Blog – April 2024

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 President’s Blog –  From President Christine Anderson W.A.W.W.- What A Wonderful Way to start our 91st charter year, at our AGM on 17th April 2024, here’s a quick resume of the evening: Thanking President Pat for her leadership and support through our amazing 90th year, I personally could not have imagined celebrating our 90 years without Pat at the helm Seeing Val receiving her honorary membership, it is really well-deserved as Val is a truly inspirational Soroptimist, who I have learnt so much from. Receiving the chain of office and the warmest of welcomes and support as the Club’s new President Welcoming President Elect Sheila and Vice President Heather and electing this year’s new Team Members, Jennifer, Liz F, Janet M and Irene Launching our theme for this year. The 3 Fs – Focus, Friendship and Fun Celebrating a collective 195 years of service by

Harrogate and District Soroptimists – 90 Years through the Decades

Harrogate and District Soroptimists – 90 Years through the Decades

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Club members captured on film,  ‘Our History’ from 1933 till present day. Follow the links to find out more. Introduction – Click here to visit on YouTube Here are the links – 1930 –  Janet Hutton –  SIGBI ONLY 1940 –  Sue Williams and 1950 –  Meg.  https://youtu.be/ZMv_be8ICDY 1960 – Sylvia and 1970 –  Jennifer.   https://youtu.be/Sraa1CHPAZY 1980 –  Christine  https://youtu.be/gC48bC5MeEU 1990 – Sandra Frier https://youtu.be/GXjApqn9I4E 2000 – Sandra Jowett and Denise Newby and 2010 Heather Shipman https://youtu.be/ZcCBOHhyV4E 2020 –  President Pat  https://youtu.be/RYVm_PkvL5A