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Memorial Weeping Elm Tree and Plaque surrounded by newly planted spring Bulbs

Memorial Weeping Elm Tree and Plaque surrounded by newly planted spring Bulbs

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  Harrogate and District Soroptimists had a busy few weeks. On 28 September we welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate Borough, Cllr Trevor and Janet Chapman to help us unveil a Memorial Slab for ‘Our Sisters’ at Stonefall Cemetery in Harrogate.  And, one month later,  five busy Soroptimist’s planted over 7000 spring flowering bulbs to surround our Memorial Weeping Elm tree. Harrogate Borough Council Horticultural Officer Sue Wood provided the expertise. Next Spring  we are looking forward to a wonderful display of: Crocus Ruby Giant, Chionodoxa luc., Anemone blue s.,   Ornithogalum umbellatum (Star of Bethlehem) Muscari azureum, Pushkinia libanotica, Narcissus Jack Snipe, Scilla Mitschenkoana, Scilla Siberica Tulipa Turkestanica   Please note the links to the flowers above are not recommendations to purchase – just to illustrate the flower type. Before –  During &  After

Flyer for Fashion Show
Fashion Show in Aid of JUST ‘B’ supporting bereavement services for children and adults

Fashion Show in Aid of JUST ‘B’ supporting bereavement services for children and adults

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Come and join us at our fabulous fashion show featuring preloved clothes from Saint Michael’s Hospice Shops. Get ready for Christmas at the Artisan Stalls. A chance to win £100 with the lucky ticket too. In aid of JUST ‘B’ providing bereavement services to children young people and adults throughout North Yorkshire. Contact sihandd@hotmail.co.uk to buy your tickets or buy direct from the selected Saint Michael’s shops listed below. Fashion Show FlyeHarrogate and District Soroptimist’s present a Fashion Show in aid of JUST ‘B’ Tickets £15 (£5 for under 18) Contact sihandd@hotmail.co.uk for Tickets or buy direct from Saint Michael’s Hospice Shops in Ripon, Kings Road, Harrogate, Station Parade, Harrogate or Cold Bath Road Harrogate. Just ‘B’ is part of North Yorkshire Hospice Care. Providing bereavement services for children, young people and adults across North Yorkshire  

Club sponsors a 100-year old Pear tree in memory of our Sister Soroptimists

Club sponsors a 100-year old Pear tree in memory of our Sister Soroptimists

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Ripon Community Link welcomed Club members to The Walled Garden in Ripon on Tuesday August 17th.  A super place to enjoy a strawberry tea to mark our recent adoption of the beautiful 100-year-old pear tree in the orchard. The tree will mark  Soroptimist Internationals’ centenary and is in memory of our Soroptimist sisters.  The afternoon tea provided the perfect opportunity for us to admire the tree in its wonderful setting. The Walled Garden is part of Ripon Community Link and offers support for adults with mild and moderate learning difficulties. Ripon Walled Garden has recently launched its tree sponsorship programme, which helps to raise vital funds for the Charity. Tree sponsorships can be arranged annually or for a lifetime term of 25 year.  For more information, please contact fundraising@riponwalledgarden.org President Sandra and Victori Ashley, CEO of the Walled Garden pulled the ribbon round the tree, to mark

Caroline Hawley
Caroline Hawley – Auctioneer and Antique Expert helps raise over £500 for Just ‘B’

Caroline Hawley – Auctioneer and Antique Expert helps raise over £500 for Just ‘B’

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  Raising funds for charity during lockdown is no mean feat.  That didn’t deter Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District’s President Sandra Frier. Looking for different ways to raise funds for her chosen charity Just ‘B’ Sandra approached regular Flog It and Bargain Hunt  expert Caroline Hawley. Would Caroline be interested to give a Zoom  presentation about her life as an auctioneer and TV regular? We were very happy when she said yes.  So, on Friday 14 May Caroline delighted us with her presentation that was both humorous and demonstrated her passion and knowledge. She also valued objects submitted by our guests and took questions.  A brilliant night with more than £500 raised for Just ‘B’.  Just ‘B’ is part of North Yorkshire Hospice Care working closely with Saint Michaels and Heriot Home Care. It provides bereavement services locally and nationally, So what did we learn?

Caroline Hawley
An Evening with Caroline Hawley

An Evening with Caroline Hawley

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Do you watch Flog It or Bargain Hunt and wondered about the value of some of your own objects? The Club is delighted that Caroline Hawley will be helping us raise funds for Just B. The Bereavement Services that is part of North Yorkshire Hospice Care. Caroline is well known for her valuations on Flog It and expert supporter for the teams on Bargain Hunt. Register  for the Event  here. Tickets cost just £10 +£1.37 booking fee. All ticket costs will go to Just B. The Bereavement Support Service for North Yorkshire.  

Janet Haywood
Annual General Meeting and Celebration of Long Service Awards

Annual General Meeting and Celebration of Long Service Awards

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President Sandra and Club members welcomed Linda Davis, Yorkshire Region President to their AGM held by Zoom on the 21st of April. Sandra will be continuing as Club President till October. This is due to the impact on many of the Clubs planned events. Despite this,  the Club’s raised over £2000 for her chosen charity Just B.  This included a Zoom Burns Night supper, Club member Maureen taking part in the Great North Run and a lot of knitting!   Just B is the bereavement service that is part of Saint Michael’s Hospice. Long Service Awards It was a special night  as the Club celebrated the long service of three of its members who have served a total of 115 years between them. Val Hills, joining the Club 25 years ago, Dorothy Taylor joined 40 years ago and is the Clubs longest serving member. And

Maureen at the end of the Virtual North Run
Club News – Just ‘B’ Just Giving Page now live

Club News – Just ‘B’ Just Giving Page now live

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JUST ‘B’ JUST GIVING PAGE We now have the exciting development of creating our Just Giving page with Just ‘B’. Just Click on Just B or follow the link below.  This will take you straight through to the page. Be assured that all money donated will go to supporting Just ‘B’ and its work in the community. Watch the youtube video about us and why we are supporting them. Please feel free to pass the link and this information on to friends and family. We have already raised more than £2000.  Help us reach our target of £3500. You will help support bereaved families. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SoroptimistssupportJustB

Challenging the status quo
Choose to Challenge – Forgotten Women – International Women’s Day

Choose to Challenge – Forgotten Women – International Women’s Day

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Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District – Celebrates ‘Forgotten Women’ on International Women’s Day 8thMarch 2021 Seventy Soroptimists and guests Zoomed in from all over the Yorkshire, the UK and the World to celebrate the unveiling of a Harrogate Civic Society Plaque,  in recognition of Dr Kathleen Rutherford on International Women’s Day.  A woman, described as a legend in her own life time in a 1970’s Yorkshire Television Calendar News Special about her life, now all but forgotten. Dr Kathleen was a founder member and first Club President of Soroptimist International of Harrogate in 1933.  The Club was also delighted to welcome award winning journalist Nicky Harley, whose ‘Forgotten Women’ campaign kicked off our quest to find out more about our founder President.   Civic Society Brown Plaque scheme The Club always knew of Dr Kathleen but in 2019 Nicky contacted the Club as part
‘Forgotten Women’ – Dr Kathleen Rutherford Remembered on International Women’s Day

‘Forgotten Women’ – Dr Kathleen Rutherford Remembered on International Women’s Day

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International Women’s Day -  Forgotten Women Dr Kathleen Rutherford M.B.E Harrogate Civic Society Heritage Plaque for Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE   Forgotten Women In  2019 Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District Club received an email from journalist Nicky Harley. Nicky’s mission is to increase the number of women recognised by a Blue Plaque by bringing attention to the ‘Forgotten Women’ -  well known during their lifetime but often forgotten since.  One of these women was Dr Kathleen Rutherford MBE. A name well known to the Club as one of the founding members in 1933 and first President but there was little known about the person. Doing our research Using the information provided by Nicky, Club member Rachel Richardson’s research revealed a whole lot more. This  includes a Yorkshire Television Calendar programme made in 1970 about her life.  Dr Kathleen, recognised as being a ‘Legend in
The tent in the garden
Sleep Out for Homelessness

Sleep Out for Homelessness

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SLEEP OUT FOR HOMELESSNESS – EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A HOME Many young people are now homeless. Everyone should have a home. Club member Heather Shipman braved the freezing weather to experience what it is like to be homeless. A tent in her back garden was her only shelter of the night of what was the coldest night of the year so far.  Heather is raising awareness and funds to support the two charities, Carecent and SASH . Carecent is a Breakfast Centre in York for homeless, unemployed and socially excluded people.  SASH's aim is to prevent youth homelessness in North and East Yorkshire. Heather sleeping in the tent Heather thanked all her Soroptimist friends on behalf of herself  and the organisers  who are aware of all the support that has come from Soroptimists.  They have asked that Heather pass on their special thanks to everyone for