{"id":74,"date":"2010-07-05T14:02:00","date_gmt":"2010-07-05T13:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/soroptimist-gbi.org\/kings-lynn\/presidents-message\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T16:26:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T15:26:00","slug":"presidents-message","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/kings-lynn\/presidents-message\/","title":{"rendered":"President’s message and 50th Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”2″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1778081067707-fa5b5966-e686-3″ include=”5381,5165,5363,5163,5237,5245″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Welcome to the website for Soroptimist International Kings Lynn.<\/p>\n

President\u2019s Message<\/p>\n

It was the club\u2019s 50th<\/sup>\u00a0Anniversary in 2025\/26 and rather than have one President for the year, events were supported by various Past Presidents.<\/p>\n

S.I. King\u2019s Lynn celebrated 50 years since chartering on 12th<\/sup>\u00a0July 1975.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The day was marked with a Pimm\u2019s reception and afternoon tea at Congham Hall on 12th<\/sup>\u00a0July 2025.\u00a0\u00a0 During the afternoon 17 members together with a past president, enjoyed not only the delicious tea but also reviewing the club\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The weekend began with an evening social hosted by a club me\"\"<\/a>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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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 \u2018manning the ropes\u2019 at one point such was the enthusiasm!<\/p>\n

The next stop was coffee with the town\u2019s Mayor, Andy Bullen. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the Mayor\u2019s role and he was very interested to learn more about Soroptimist International.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>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.<\/p>\n

After lunch there was a tour of Kings Lynn which focused on some of the town\u2019s significant women. The walk was led by the very knowledgeable Alison Gifford.<\/p>\n

The group felt as though they were seeing secret corners of the ancient town,\"\"<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The evening also offered the chance to make a special long service \"\"<\/a>presentation to the club\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The weekend not only helped celebrate the clubs 50th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary but certainly helped to strengthen our ties<\/p>\n

The club\u2019 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\u2019s Lynn Club was proposed by SI Norwich, our Mother Club, and seconded by SI Peterborough.<\/p>\n

The Charter Dinner was held on 12 July 1975, at the Duke\u2019s Head Hotel,\"\"<\/a> King\u2019s Lynn and the Charter was presented by Federation President Ruth Harris. Divisional Union President: Cara Watson.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Dr Elizabeth Harrison was Federation Health Advisor 1991 \u2013 1995, and elected Federation President 1999 \u2013 2000.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

We welcome potential new members to our club meetings at Marriotts Warehouse \u2013 if you would like to find out more, please fill in the\u00a0contact form<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For more details on the history and background to the club please refer to the attached link \u2013\u00a0Club History<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\n