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President’s Blog – August

President’s Blog – August

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Welcome back, I hope you all had good break. Where did August go? I thought I had plenty of time to do lots of chores and jobs at home but guess what … hardly anything has been ticked off my “to do” list! But I have had spent this month enjoying some new experiences, which I thought I would share with you. Yorkshire Day Yorkshire  new experience this month was On 1st August, Yorkshire Day, Heather and I joined members from 10 other Yorkshire Clubs for a fantastic and fun packed evening at Yorkshire President Susie’s fundraising event. We experienced a wine / beer / food pairing evening to support Breast Cancer Awareness. The choice of 6 wines came from France, Argentina and Puglia and included Hospices de Beaujeu Bourgogne Gamay, which is made and sold to support the local hospice, this was one of

President’s Blog – September

President’s Blog – September

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Where did September go? I feel Autumn is truly upon us now and I have actually got the quilted long coat out! Rangoli Radio I started September by going, as a guest of my friend’s Pamela Clare (PC) to the 3rd anniversary event of Rangoli Radio station. Rangoli Radio CIC was established in October 2020 with the aim of creating a community radio to serve the Hindu community in Yorkshire. The radio station reaches out to different communities to entertain, educate and enable the Hindu community to reduce social isolation for the elderly provide information on community events and the support available be a source of learning and a sense of attachment to Hindu culture for the younger generation and to help them find their full potential.   I was very inspired by their values which I felt are very close to our own, the community

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

The Big Shop – Local Food Banks & Resurrected Bites

The Big Shop – Local Food Banks & Resurrected Bites

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Photo: Top Left, Resurrected Bites; Top Centre, Wetherby Food Bank; Top Right, St Cuthbert’s Food Bank;  Middle Right & and Middle left, Ripon Salvation Army Food Bank; Bottom Left, Centre and Right Harrogate District Food Bank.  The Club’s Food Poverty Action Group had a busy few days shopping. Summer holidays put pressure on food banks. So we asked our local food banks what was needed and went shopping. Resurrected Bites Community Shop in Knaresborough needed Laundry Detergent. ‘It flies of the shelf’. The Salvation Army Food Bank in Ripon wanted a range of items Wetherby Trussell Trust Food Bank also wanted a range of items Harrogate District Trussell Trust needed coffee, dried milk and potato powder as well as a range of toiletries and washing up liquid. The Nidderdale Food Bank at St Cuthberts in Pateley Bridge needed tinned meats, especially ‘child friendly’ ones (hotdogs

Clothes Swap raises £260 for Generators to the Ukraine

Clothes Swap raises £260 for Generators to the Ukraine

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Clothes Swap A happy band of our members enjoyed a clothes swap evening at Starbeck library on the 9th July. A great range of items of clothing were brought and exchanged. Accessories were on offer for sale and a raffle helped to boost the funds A great team effort to organise and run the event that raised £260 for the Generators to Ukraine project Thank you to everyone who supported our  Event. The  generators and solar lights for Ukraine make a difference to the families whose lives have been devastated by the war. We are working with Care in Action – Турбота в Дії who provide relief for families in the Ukraine. Saint  Michael’s Hospice Shop, Ripon The clothes and accessories that did not find new homes have a second chance too. They’re heading to Saint Michael’s Charity shop in Ripon and will not end

President Christine’s June Blog

President Christine’s June Blog

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BLOG – JUNE 2024 It’s been a relief to see the sunshine on some of the days during June, fingers crossed this continues for a few more months – I am ever so much the optimist Soroptimist when it comes to the summer weather! I have managed to get a couple of rain free days away in Lincolnshire with my miniature schnauzer, too this month. Regional Council Meeting at Asham Grange Women’s Prison On 15th June I attended the Regional Council Meeting and this one is always a popular event for Yorkshire Club Members as it is held at Askham Grange Women’s Open Prison. It is the 2nd year I have been and I was once again, impressed with the organisation, politeness and friendliness of those representing the Prison, some other Organisations could take lessons from them! The food was just as delicious and plentiful

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

President’s Blog – A busy May

President’s Blog – A busy May

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BLOG – MAY 2024 I really do enjoy May, it has 2 bank holidays (so no work for me!), having longer days and being able to get out and about during daylight! I have tried very hard this month to take photos so I can share what I have been up to with you. It’s been a busy month building friendship links, focusing on project completion and as you can see from the photo’s all whilst having fun. Soroptimist International of Blantyre  – Seyema School Library Project Christabel and I have been working with SI Blantyre on finishing off the Seyema School Library Project.  Thank you, Christabel, for your very generous hospitality, wonderful views over the river Nidd and most importantly for seeing this project through to the end.  Christabel will give a very short presentation to the next Regional Council Meeting about the project.

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