Welcome to the website for Soroptimist International Kings Lynn.
President’s Message
It was the club’s 50th Anniversary in 2025/26 and rather than have one President for the year, events were supported by various Past Presidents.
S.I. King’s Lynn celebrated 50 years since chartering on 12th July 1975.
The day 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.
Following on from the afternoon tea the club held a weekend of events in September. The weekend was an occasion for strengthening friendships and a chance to celebrate the historic town of King’s Lynn with its women past and present. The Friendship Weekend was also an opportunity to meet guests from link clubs Lubeck in Germany, Waterland in Netherlands and sister club in Norwich.
The weekend began with an evening social hosted by a club me
mber. The evening enabled members to hear more about the clubs in Lubeck and Waterland, the lives of the guests and issues that mattered to them.
Next morning there was an early start which saw 2 groups on the waterfront, hats and scarves at the ready, to board the Baden Powell for a boat trip. Evoking the town’s fishing past, the lovingly restored boat is run by a crew of dedicated volunteers. One of the guests, a keen sailor, had to be very gently dissuaded from ‘manning the ropes’ at one point such was the enthusiasm!
The next stop was coffee with the town’s Mayor, Andy Bullen. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the Mayor’s role and he was very interested to learn more about Soroptimist International.
Following coffee, there was a visit to King Lynn Stories and the guests were very interested in the large floor map showing old trading links with Europe in previous centuries.
After lunch there was a tour of Kings Lynn which focused on some of the town’s significant women. The walk was led by the very knowledgeable Alison Gifford.
The group felt as though they were seeing secret corners of the ancient town,
entering in through hidden gateways. The group also learnt of literary ladies such as Fanny Burney and Margery Kempe, and finished with the connection to the great philanthropist, Elizabeth Fry.
The Saturday evening was time for a party with music, and celebration. Spurred on by an excellent live band many took to their feet for a dance or two. The club was kindly presented with gifts from Lubeck and Waterland.
The evening also offered the chance to make a special long service 
presentation to the club’s longest standing member Rachel Seakins. Rachel has been a dedicated member of the club for 50 years after becoming a member in 1975 shortly after the club commenced.
Sunday was more relaxed with guests being taken out in the morning by their hosts before everyone joined together again for a final lunch and to say their fare wells.
The weekend not only helped celebrate the clubs 50th anniversary but certainly helped to strengthen our ties
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 28 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.
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 form.
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
