Once again members of the Club enjoyed an evening of live music and entertainment as a  fundraiser for Mary’s Meals  Club member, Sue, is an ambassador for the charity which works to give children in some of the poorest parts of the world one  meal every day in their place of education. The campaign to feed children began in 2002 and now over 2 million children benefit daily. The guest musicians were the Sea Dogs from Port Sunlight with a great range of sea shanties for the appreciative audience. It was an excellent evening and fundraiser for Mary’s Meals     

  In 2022 Gayton Park was selected for a small community project as part of Wirral Council’s planting program within the Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy to improve Wirral’s tree canopy. A hedgerow and orchard with future community use in mind were planted at the Park in the spring. Several Soroptimists helped in planting fruit trees to establish an orchard. Since then regular monthly working parties have met – weather permitting – and the club has been well represented. Working with members of the Rotary clubs in Heswall paths have been cleared and checked and bark spread to protect the new trees.

In 2009, and to celebrate the Club’s Diamond Anniversary, a bench was purchased by members and placed for general use in the centre of Heswall. In recent years it was removed during a building project at the Lighthouse church. It has been absent pending a decision on refurbishment and relocation. Finally it is back in use for the general public and is just across the road from its original position and in front of Heswall Hall.  

At a recent meeting Gerrie Bayley from the charity, The Helping Hand for Ukraine, spoke to members about the charity’s work in northern areas of Ukraine. She described the impact of the war in the country and how the charity is supporting children and their families who are suffering from the ongoing conflict and who are not always reached by larger charities and aid organisations. The Helping Hand for Ukraine is one of the charities President Iris has chosen to support this year. Members responded generously with donations of goods to help improve living conditions and buying from Gerrie’s selection of hand made goods from Ukraine. Two cheques were also given to Gerrie – one following a coffee morning held by Jean S and a second from the club.  

  To celebrate 75 years since SI Heswall was chartered an afternoon tea for members and guests was held in Pam’s garden. Despite grey skies the day was warm, the garden looked stunning in its summer colour and everyone enjoyed the occasion. The catering was provided by the Neo community    

  The theme for SIGBI Day of Action this year was poverty. Clubs could decide which aspect of this they would focus on and members of SI Heswall decided on period poverty. They collected sanitary products which were delivered to the Neo Community in Birkenhead. This is one of President Iris’ charities for this year and she is seen here with staff from Neo who spoke at a recent club meeting.

    Once again Cool Heswall enjoyed a warm sunny day to showcase local organisations and their care for the environment. This was the third year that Heswall Rotary clubs have hosted the event and it was the biggest yet with the Farmers’ Market and Craft Fair running alongside in Hillhouse Gardens. Members of SI Heswall enjoyed meeting members of the public to talk about their involvement in the recent Big Plastic Count and Soroptimism.      

  Presidents Jill and Helen have recently completed their year in office and have handed over to President Iris who will hold office for the club’s 75th anniversary year. During the coming year members will work with President Iris to support a local charity, the Neo Community The Neo Community was founded in 2013 and achieved charity status in 2019. It works to support and develop strong communities and is active in reducing food waste and food insecurity.  

  As spring gets underway members of SI Heswall have resumed visiting Hoylake Cottage  to start planting early colour in the  flower beds and pots in the residents’ garden. After some general weeding and tidying the flower beds and pots are ready for adding summer bedding plants as the days warm up. Eko, the activities coordinator, is hoping that some of the residents will join us during future visits.

    At the recent AGM five Heswall Soroptimists were presented with certificates to mark their long service. In total Janet, Hilary, Sheila, Marjorie and Marion have given 195 years of service to Soroptimism. Amazing! Congratulations ladies.