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President’s message and 50th Anniversary

Welcome to the website for Soroptimist International Kings Lynn.

President’s Message

It is the club’s 50th Anniversary in 2025/26 and rather than have one President for the year, events will be supported by various Past Presidents.

S.I. King’s Lynn celebrated 50 years since chartering on 12th July 1975.

The occasion was marked with a Pimm’s reception and afternoon tea at Congham Hall on 12th July 2025.   During the afternoon 17 members together with a past president, enjoyed not only the delicious tea but also reviewing the club’s history by looking through past year books and photographs, together with the Past Presidents Book. It was great to look back on how times have changed.

The club’ s original petition to be formed was accepted at a meeting of the Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland Federation Executive Council on 7 December 1974. The King’s Lynn Club was proposed by SI Norwich, our Mother Club, and seconded by SI Peterborough.

The Charter Dinner was held on 12 July 1975, at the Duke’s Head Hotel, King’s Lynn and the Charter was presented by Federation President Ruth Harris. Divisional Union President: Cara Watson.

There were 27 founder members, Pat Robinson was the first club president and remained a member until her death in 2022. Dr Elizabeth Harrison was also a founder member and remained an active member through her life until her death in 2022.  Dr Elizabeth Harrison was Federation Health Advisor 1991 – 1995, and elected Federation President 1999 – 2000.

The club now has 26 members, so not that different from the year it formed. We also have a Founders Charity in memory of Pat and Elizabeth which supports local Girlguiding.

The day also coincided with the S.I.G.B.I Day of Action and U.N. Day of Hope, and members during the afternoon came up with proposals for future Soroptimist projects.

The afternoon tea was the first of several events to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary, with a Friendship Weekend planned for September when members together with guests from a number of Friendship Clubs will be  continuing the celebrations.

We welcome potential new members to our club meetings at Marriotts Warehouse – if you would like to find out more, please fill in the contact us form at https://Sigbi.org/kings-lynn/contact-us/     Once you know more about us I am sure you will want to join and we will enjoy meeting you on a non-obligation basis.

For more details on the history and background to the club please refer to the attached link – Club History