Presidents Jill and Helen hosted the annual Charities’ Evening and welcomed representatives of the three charities supported by the club in the past year. The club has long connections with all three charities. The guests gave a brief update on their projects.   Jackie from Barnardo’s Action With Young Carers Wirral outlined the support for young carers and in particular the benefit for them from the social events funded by the club.         Bees for Development’s Bob Spencer spoke of the charity’s growth over its 30 years of working in the development field. The charity works globally in its approach to making life better with bees by encouraging sustainable beekeeping to overcome poverty, build livelihoods and benefit biodiversity. Branches of Bees for Development have been established in Ethiopia, Ghana and Uganda. Successful training programmes in these areas are running in conjunction

Obituary of Brenda Elphick (nee Lauze)  Brenda Elphick sadly passed away on 14th February 2024, at the age of 87. She leaves a son, daughter, stepson and 5 grand-children, as well as a sister, Jen, who was also a Soroptimist for many years.  She will be greatly missed by members of SI Heswall and District. Brenda was a primary school teacher throughout her working life, and became head teacher at Woodfall Infants School, Neston, before her retirement. During her career she led national initiatives in early years education and worked with the University of Chester supporting their PGCE programme. Brenda was a committed Soroptimist, having become a member in 1983, and serving as club president 1991-2. Over the years she was particularly involved in social and fundraising events, often to be found persuading people to buy raffle tickets. Right to the end she kept a

Heswall club members continue to highlight violence against women by giving out leaflets in local supermarkets. Several supermarket chains have been supportive of this  initiative and a team of members manned tables in ASDA in Woodchurch and Bromborough to mark International Women’s Day on 8th March.         International Women’s Day was also celebrated at the Williamson Art Gallery in Birkenhead with staff from the Lighthouse Centre which has recently gained charitable status.    

The 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence is an international campaign that seeks to address and combat domestic violence, which disproportionately affects women and marginalized communities. The campaign which runs from 25th November (International day for the elimination of violence against women), until 10th December (Human Rights day). The International campaign utilises the colour orange to represent a brighter future, free from ‘gender -based violence’. A team of Heswall members arranged with local branches of Tesco, Asda and Total Fitness to have a space in their premises during the campaign to display posters and leaflets. Soroptimists were on hand to answer questions from the public. All those who took part found the experience thought provoking, emotional, and very rewarding. We felt that not only were we giving out leaflets but we provided an opportunity for ladies to tell us their stories.

  Several of our members decided to ‘tread the boards’ and joined a tour of the Floral Pavilion theatre in New Brighton. After meeting for coffee the group met by Richard, Front of House manager, who acted as tour guide. The theatre looked rich and warm when empty and the group spent over an hour touring it and listening to its history. Dave, the stage manager was on hand to give details of stage lighting, pulleys & weights and something of the many visiting theatre productions. The theatre is also a conference centre. Following the tour, lunch in the Panoramic Lounge gave fabulous views across the River Mersey and Liverpool Bay. This brochure has a taste of the history of the theatre from 1920’s to 2007.  

WirrOrleans, a local jazz band, recently featured in an evening of light entertainment organised by club member Sue  to raise funds for Mary’s Meals The band is known for its Dixieland/traditional style and played a variety of tunes providing a mix of music to suit everyone. Several club members attended and supported Sue, by helping run the bar, selling tickets on the door and raffle tickets. A good time was had by all and the evening raised over £1, 900 for Mary’s Meals. Well done Sue, a wonderful result.  

Once again club members were pleased to have a fundraising event for Bees for Development. The charity has helped some of the world’s poorest people become self-sufficient through beekeeping for over 30 years.  Bees offer a wonderful way to help people in extreme poverty. They do not need to be fed, they find their own food and water. Simple hives can be well made from locally available materials, and bees are freely available from nature. Beekeeping is even possible for people with no land of their own. It offers a feasible livelihood option, with good markets for honey and beeswax.     Bees for Development fights chronic poverty by targeting the most disadvantaged groups: single women, young people, families without land or other assets, and people with disabilities. The charity helps people obtain bees, establish apiaries, and develop profitable beekeeping enterprises.       ‘Bees take

  In May 2023 Cool Heswall made a welcome return to Hill House Gardens. The event was organised by the Joint Rotary Environment Group, Heswall and there were stalls and displays by numerous local organisations who share an interest in the environment and sustainability. The range of stalls showed something for everyone from caring for plants, trees, bees and birds to transport – with a team of cyclists starting and finishing their ride in the gardens. Recycling and up cycling was featured in a display by the Heswall Soroptimists who have been involved in recycling including collecting bottle tops for reinvention as garden furniture and ring pulls to become jewellery.            

SI Heswall has been associated with Hoylake Cottage for a number of years through reading and gardening projects to support the residents. In 2012 a Malus Floribunda was planted in the garden by SI Heswall to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. More recently volunteers have been pleased to resume gardening and to join the residents and their guests who enjoyed a garden party to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III .        

Joint Presidents Jill Andrew and Helen Storr have begun their year in office and have chosen a theme of ‘Working together in Fun, Friendship and Service’. During the year, and with club members, they will be supporting two international charities – Bees for Development and Mary’s Meals. A number of speaker meetings are planned with topics varying from ‘The Importance of trees’ to ‘Samaritans helping trafficked women’.           President Jill introduced Iris Batman who is President Elect for 2023-24. Iris has ust completed a year as joint President with Sandra Morris and is looking forward to another presidential year in 204-25 which will be SI Heswall’s 75th year.