It has been a very busy month for Yvonne Ross, a member of SI Heswall & District. Earlier this month Yvonne was nominated for Cheshire Woman of the Year, held at Chester Race Course. She has also attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace to represent COMPASS counselling service which she has long been part of. Yvonne was accompanied by a colleague from COMPASS to this special event.
Members of SI Heswall celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a special garden party organised by Presidents Iris and Sandra. The occasion was marked with bubbly, a splendid cake and good company.
Soroptimists across Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral region held a raffle in aid of charities providing mental health support in the region. Three charities were chosen to receive a donation. Wirral Mind, established in 1967 to help people in the local community achieve better mental health. Adferiad Recovery, formed from four charities in Wales which have joined together to provide support for vulnerable people in Wales and their families and carers. Flynn’s Port in the Storm in Ellesmere Port – a mental health crisis café. President Iris of SI Heswall received a cheque from Regional President Yvonne and delivered it to Wirral Mind.
SI Heswall & District recently held the club’s AGM and change of insignia. Retiring presidents Cynthia Duggan and Jenny Wilson welcomed new presidents Iris Batman and Sandra Morris. For the forthcoming year Iris and Sandra have chosen two charities which the club will support. The Wirral Fund for Children with Special Needs (WFCSN) works locally to improve the daily lives of local children. Bees for Development, a UK charity which helps some of the world’s poorest people become self sufficient through beekeeping.
At this year’s Charity Dinner members welcomed guests from the three charities which the Club has supported during the past year. Members have held fundraising events in aid of Health Help International hhi.org.uk Parkinson’s www.parkinsons.org.uk and Tomorrow’s Women Wirral www.tomorrowswomen.org.uk Molly and Chrissy from Tomorrow’s Women Wirral gave a talk and presentation on TYW – Tomorrow’s Young Women – a project offering support and guidance to young women aged 14 – 17.
International Women’s Day is a global day when Soroptimists celebrate women’s achievements and raising awareness against bias. Also taking action for equality and making a positive difference for women. It was founded more than a century ago after more than 15,000 women marched in New York City to demand better working conditions and voting rights. This year the focus is on ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’ with the theme of Break The Bias. SI Heswall members wore purple at their recent meeting – the official colour of International Women’s Day. The guest speaker at the meeting was Murray Dale from Water Aid who spoke about the range of projects which Water Aid is currently supporting and which focus on improving opportunities and benefits for women and girls. From Water Aid on International Women’s Day 2022 ‘This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women that
Members of SI Heswall hosted a concert for their families and friends with a programme of popular music by the SingMe Merseyside choir directed by Billy Hui, the choir’s Musical Director. The entertainment was followed by tea and home-made cakes. A very enjoyable gathering was a welcome chance to chat and catch up with friends as well as raising funds for the club Presidents’ charities.
Gayton Park was selected for a small community project as part of Wirral Council’s planting program this year within the Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy to improve Wirral’s tree canopy. A hedgerow and orchard with future community use in mind were recently planted at the park. Several Soroptimists represented the club and took part in planting fruit trees to establish an orchard.
Think of Spring and snowdrops come to mind. Members recently took advantage of fine weather to visit Ness Botanic Gardens to see the spectacular displays of snowdrops around the gardens. Carpets of many of the varieties in the collection held by Ness were a highlight of the woodland areas. Witch hazels, camellias, rhododendrons and hellebores showing colour were a promise of Spring too. “Snowdrops: Theirs is a fragile but hardy celebration…in the very teeth of winter.” Louise Beebe Wilder (1878-1938)
An afternoon of packing back packs in a member’s garage achieved a splendid total of 55 packs to be send out by Mary’s Meals. Over recent months members of SI Heswall have been collecting the rucksacks and items to fill them ranging from soap, toothpaste and toothbrush to writing materials and shoes and clothes. The backpack project supports the charity’s work to provide life-changing meals to some of the world’s poorest children every school day in their place of education.
