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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

Summer of Song – raises £1000 for Resurrected Bites

Summer of Song – raises £1000 for Resurrected Bites

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What a wonderful evening listening to the amazing Eurythmia Ensemble  at Saint Mark’s Church, Leeds Rd, Harrogate. We raised  £1000 that will go to Resurrected Bites. Reducing Food Waste and ‘Putting Food  in Bellies not Bins’. YouTube – Listen to the opening verses of Scarborough Fair Thank you to Catherine Field-Leather, musical director and all the Eurythmia Singers. Especillay for waiving your fee so all the money will go to Resurrected Bites.  Thanks to all our members who helped on the evening and also to Anne and Gillian,  volunteers from Resurrected Bites,  who made sure the teas/coffees and cakes were ready at the interval.  

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

Celebrating International Women’s Day 8th March #IWD2024

Celebrating International Women’s Day 8th March #IWD2024

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President Pat Shore welcomed our guests as Harrogate and District Soroptimist  celebrated International Women’s Day with a special event at the Wesley Centre in Harrogate with the theme, ‘Forging an Inclusive World for Women and Girls’. With over 160 people present on the night we were delighted to announce our Young Woman and Woman in the Community Awards. Women volunteers making a difference to others. It is always a hard job for the judges with such fantastic nominations.  Yorkshire President Susie Westwood and Club President Pat Shore presented the Winners and the Highly Commended certificates. Young Woman in the Community Award  – Grace Hughes. Grace has used her organisational and musical talent to support Dementia Forward , Saint Michael’s Hospice shops and is an ambassador for Orchestras for All. Highly Commended –  Emily Houghton Emily is a volunteer for Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity. She

International Women’s Day – Forging an Inclusive World for Women and Girls

International Women’s Day – Forging an Inclusive World for Women and Girls

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Join us to Celebrate International Women’s Day “Forging an Inclusive World for Women and Girls “. Lets #InspireInclusion on Friday 8 March 2024 at 7pm at the Wesley Chapel, Oxford Street, Harrogate HG1 1PP Key Note Speakers Ruth Smith – Leadership Specialist High Sheriff in Nomination North Yorkshire 2024-5 Ruth Healey – President Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland Presentation of the Harrogate & District Soroptimists ‘Young Woman & Woman in the Community Awards’ linking local achievement to International Women’s Day Musical entertainment by ‘The Stray Notes’ Tea, coffee and biscuits to conclude Admission Free (doors open at 6:30pm) To book your place – email sihandd@hotmail.co.uk

Stop Gender-based Violence

Stop Gender-based Violence

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The Club is actively involved in raising awareness about the UN led 16 days of activism campaign to stop gender-based violence. The 16 days starts on the 25th November,  United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of  Violence Against Women until the 10th December, the celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are supporting Soroptimist International’s  campaign, Wired for Change. Online gender-based abuse is a growing problem and poorly regulated. We seek to harness technologies potential for good. We need to ensure women’s voices are heard not silenced. Follow our daily campaign on our Facebook page @soroptimist80 Dressing the tree at St John’s Church Knaresborough IMG_5527

Charity Shop Christmas Shop Window Competition

Charity Shop Christmas Shop Window Competition

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Harrogate and District Charity Shop Christmas Window Competition Harrogate and District Soroptimists will be judging the Christmas Shop Window Display in Charity Shops in Harrogate, Ripon, Boroughbridge, Knaresborough with Starbeck and Bilton on the 2nd December. The competition, now in its tenth year, takes place across the District. We are always impressed by the creativity and impact of the charity shops windows – dressed by volunteers.  There are three zones, Harrogate Town Centre; Ripon with Boroughbridge; Knaresborough with Starbeck and Bilton.  Gold and Silver Certificates are awarded  in each zone with the overall winner receiving the Soroptimist Cup. Representatives from the short listed shops will be invited to the presentation event at the Crown Hotel on the 6th December. Wetherby – Charity Shop Christmas Window Competition The Gill Smith Trophy is presented to the Best Dressed Charity Shop Window in Wetherby. The judging will take