![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/harrogate\/files\/2024\/06\/malawischool.jpg\")
<\/a>Christabel and I have been working with SI Blantyre on finishing off the Seyema School Library Project.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Christabel will give a very short presentation to the next Regional Council Meeting about the project. I \u00a0hope she will be able to do the same at our business meeting in July.<\/p>\n<\/h3>\nSoroptimist International of Yorkshire Club Events<\/h3>\n
I attended this year\u2019s Knaresborough Mayor Making with Christabel at Knaresborough House last week. The outgoing Mayor Hannah Gostlow was an avid supporter of SI Harrogate and District and came to several of our events with the new Knaresborough Mayor Margy Longhurst and the outgoing Deputy Mayor Helen Westmancoat. \u00a0I am looking forward to exploring partnership working between SI Harrogate and District with Helen when she becomes President of Knaresborough Rotary Club.<\/p>\n It was a shame that no-one from SI Wellington was able to join us, but it was VERY early in the morning and it is their winter, so I can\u2019t blame them! Val has sent a copy of the zoom recording to Kristeen who has responded by saying \u201cThat is fantastic, thank you very much. So very special to receive this email from you, I will enjoy watching, Kindest Kristeen\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I was so inspired by the talk, that I went the next day and took some photos and sent copies to Sue, as she said she didn\u2019t have many.\u00a0 I would like to thank Val for her technical support at the speaker meeting \u2013 not only did Val manage the zoom meeting, she looked after the Speakers presentation and the sound system. After the meeting Val then produced the 3 YouTube videos so again Val a huge thank you.<\/p>\n Our Immediate Past President Pat was honoured to attend the Service of Dedication for the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire at St. Pauls Cathedral on the 15th<\/sup>\u00a0May. Their Majesties were accompanied by the Lord Mayor of London, The Dean of St. Pauls and the Bishop of London. They were also accompanied by the Honourable Corps of Gentleman at Arms and The Yeoman of the Guard.<\/p>\n Congratulations Pat, what an amazing experience and an absolutely justified excuse to miss the speaker meeting!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n On a personal note, on bank holiday Saturday (25th<\/sup>), I volunteered at the Trek26 North Yorks Moors<\/a> event in aid of the Alzheimer\u2019s Society in Whitby. Over 700 people participated in either walking a half or full marathon along the wonderful east coast and raised in excess \u00a3300,000.\u00a0 Normally I would have been one of those 700, but unfortunately due to problems with my hip, I wasn\u2019t able to sign up for the actual walk.<\/p>\n I had an amazing day, giving out medals and selling merchandise. And, it was quite emotional seeing some finishers in tears as doing the challenge meant so much to them, something I can really empathise with.\u00a0 I’m hoping, next year to be able to do the trek, so if anyone wants to join me, let me know. I would though highly recommend volunteering at these types of events, especially at the finish line! I also tried my hand at doing some videos for Facebook, so there is a lack of photos!<\/p>\n<\/a>I have been very fortunate to attend 3 Yorkshire events this month and enjoy what little bit of glorious weather we have had.\u00a0 The first was the new Yorkshire Presidents\u2019 lunch hosted by Susie Westwood, Yorkshire President. It was great to meet up with and get to know other Presidents and Officers from around the region. We enjoyed a lovely lunch on one of the rare sunny Saturdays we\u2019ve had, in Linda Phillips (SI Wakefield) gorgeous garden.<\/p>\n<\/a>The following day, Sheila, Heather and I ventured to Halifax to help SI Halifax celebrate their 96th<\/sup> charter lunch at the Crows Nest Park Golf Club. The golf club is built on the estate of the Lister family, made famous by the BBC Drama series Gentleman Jack. I could just envisage seeing Gentleman Jack striding down through the middle of the golf course towards the 19th<\/sup>hole! Once again, the sun shone and it was great to meet other Soroptimists and I was able to hear about what the Rotary Club of Halifax and Calder was involved in from their President, Geraldine Carter. It was also another opportunity to catch up with President Susie.<\/p>\n<\/a>The third Yorkshire event I attended was on 18th<\/sup> May 2024 with Pat and Sheila, supporting SI Keighley celebrating 90 years of activism. Huge thank you goes to John Shore for driving us there and back.\u00a0 We had a fantastic guest speak Michelle Hands who spoke about \u201cShe who dares, Wins\u201d, her company that Inspires and Empowers women. It was fascinating to hear about her experiences in the Engineering industry and the barriers and discrimination she hsd overcome together with the work she is doing in promoting women through her podcasts.<\/p>\nMayor Making in Knareborough<\/h3>\n
The New Zealand Garden Presentation – \u00a0Links to Wellington<\/h3>\n
<\/a>What a fabulous Speaker Meeting<\/a> we had, with my ex-colleague Sue Wood (formerly Harrogate Borough Council) from North Yorkshire Council telling us all about the New Zealand Garden in the Valley Gardens:<\/p>\n\n
<\/a><\/h3>\nWhat an excuse to miss the speaker meeting !!!!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>The King as Sovereign of the Order and the Queen, Grand Master both attended in embossed damask rose and gold robes and processed down the aisle a foot away from Pat & John.<\/p>\n<\/a>Pat met many incredible people from all walks of life and had an incredible and wonderful day.<\/p>\nAlzheimer’s Society Trek 26 North York Moors<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nOrange the Day – \u00a025th of the Month<\/h3>\n
<\/a>As it was the 25th<\/sup> of the month, of course I was wearing orange! I was so pleased to see on Facebook<\/a> our Food Poverty Team planning for their event on 8th<\/sup> June all wearing orange. So wherever you are on the 25th<\/sup> of the month you can always wear a bit of orange and Just Say No to Gender Based Violence.<\/p>\nFuture Events<\/h3>\n