On 28th November, as part of our 16 Days of Action and to mark National Tree Week, we planted a Larch Larix Decidua in Speaker’s Corner at Alexandra Park to celebrate our Centenary. Angela and the Friends of Alexandra Park welcomed us warmly with hot tea and biscuits. Angela also shared a captivating talk and film on the park’s history, including how funding from the Heritage Lottery has breathed new life into the park, restoring its place as one of Manchester’s true People’s Parks. When Alexandra Park opened in 1870, public rallies weren’t permitted and Speaker’s Corner was the only place the bylaws allowed people to meet. Our Centenary tree stands on the upper end of the raised wall—an area that served as the park’s unofficial Speaker’s Corner. It was near here that the famous 1908 rally took place, with ten platforms (or soapboxes) featuring

President Fiona’s home was the venue for our 2025 Christmas party. In pretty, festive surroundings, 20 Club members gathered, bringing food to share – all of it delicious – and drinks ranging from mulled wine to lemonade! The evening began with the customary lighting of candles to remember our Soroptimist Friendship Link members across the globe. Always a moment of reflection to remember our sisters united in the principles of Soroptimism, wherever they are. We enjoyed an evening of fun, friendship, conversation and good company, as usual, catching up with each other’s news, talking over the year’s events and thinking about the Centenary year to come. We said au revoir to our member Malgorzata who has moved to Cumbria but we know we will keep in touch. All too soon the evening came to an end. Many thanks to our host Fiona and family for

Soroptimist International Manchester members enjoyed another successful evening at Rose’s home packing mugs for Manchester Women’s Aid.       Every women arriving at a refuge, after escaping domestic violence,  is given her own mug carefully wrapped in biodegradable paper and containing sachets of tea, coffee, chocolate and a biscuit. These have come to be known as a ‘Hug in a Mug’ and are greatly appreciated.   The items for the mugs were donated by Novotel Manchester West Members wore orange – a bright and optimistic colour, it represents a future free from violence against women and girts.

For our centenary in 2026 we aimed to raise £10,000. Thanks to the generosity of members, family and friends we soon exceeded our target and were able to make grants to six local charities – one of which was Manchester Women’s Aid, a charity the club has supported for many years. The grant was used to fund a series of art workshops culminating in a display of the work at a drop in event during the 16 Days of Activism.  

For our centenary in 2026 we aimed to raise £10,000. Thanks to the generosity of members, family and friends we soon exceeded our target and were able to make grants to six local charities. One of these was WomenMatta, a charity supporting vulnerable women affected by the Criminal Justice System. We used the grant to buy toiletries, diaries and chocolate all of which were wrapped individually and packed in gift bags – 100 in total.                   Hannah and the team from WomenMatta were so grateful – they had been worried that, due to limited funding, they wouldn’t have been able to do gift bags this year. Thanks to Rachelle for hosting the packing morning.

Members of SI Manchester have enjoyed several most delicious, not to mention sociable, suppers across the past few months, at member’s homes, to raise money for our Centenary fund. Our latest supper, hosted by Rachelle and Helen, at Rachelle’s home, was no exception. A dark, wet, windy evening in November was brightened up by their gracious hospitality – we all, in fact, were almost blown to Rachelle’s door in the teeth of the latest winter storm in the shape of Storm Claudia! The stormy evening could, however, do nothing to dampen the spirits of the assembled company – 14 Manchester Soroptimists and their partners, “The Soroptimisters”. We all enjoyed plenty of wine, delicious food, good company and good conversation.  Rachelle’s cats were unwilling to be left out and naturally revelled in all the attention! Many thanks Rachelle and Helen for a most enjoyable and entertaining

This international campaign against gender-based violence started in 1991 and is run annually from November 25th  (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10th  (International Human Rights Day). Many of our ongoing projects support women and girls who have suffered or at risk. During this year’s 16 days we will be helping Manchester Women’s Aid and The River Manchester. In addition, we will plant a tree in Alexandra Park – a small contribution to help combat climate change. According to the United Nations an estimated 80% of those adversely affected by climate change are women and girls. This year’s theme is End Online Violence Against All Women and Girls  Day 1 – Online Violence is Real Violence Day 2 – Online Violence Doesn’t Stay Online Day 3 – Challenge Harmful Behaviour Online Day 4 – Use Reporting Tools Day 5 –

The opening ceremony on 31st October was followed by three interesting and very different speakers – Suzie Imber, Professor of Planetary Science at the University of Leicester. She dedicates much of her time widening opportunities for disadvantaged children to study science Alison Hitchcock, co-founder of the cancer support charity From Me to You which helps to ease the isolation and loneliness experienced by patients having treatment for cancer. Sharia Choudry, Professor in the Faculty of Law at Wadham College, Oxford. Her research focuses on gender human rights and violence against women . She talked about how the safety of victims of domestic abuse is being compromised across family law jurisdictions. Saturday was a day of workshops  including – Membership – presented by Sandy Taylor MBE, SIGBI Director of Membership. Sandy’s theme was ‘Does size really matter?’ with discussion and questions throughout the session Good Citizenship

A dark, cold, late October evening proved to be an ideal time for SI Manchester’s latest Centenary fundraising event – A Greek evening. Heald Green Village Hall was transformed for the evening into a Greek Taverna, decorated with Greek flags and full of tables decked out in a Greek theme. Soroptimists from Manchester and guests from our sister clubs, husbands, partners and friends, more than 65 of us in total, gathered together to conjure up warmer nights with an informal evening of Greek music, food, wine, Ouzo and……Circle Dancing. SI Manchester’s Carole Swarbrick and friends from her Circle Dancing group expertly led the dancing and most people needed no persuasion to get up and try it out. The dance floor was soon filled with dancers of all abilities stepping out as if they had been dancing in Greece for years!     A break for

To further celebrate S I Manchester’s Centenary year President Fiona hosted a centenary supper and was joined by six Soroptimists,  two Soroptimisters and two delightful young people. Storm Amy raged outside but inside we enjoyed a feast of flavours. The pork with crackling and accompaniments was delicious as was the aubergine and lentil parmigiana. We had a choice of desserts and some could not resist a slice of both the bittersweet chocolate creation and the apple strudel. A moment of pure indulgence! Cheese lovers also enjoyed a mix of flavours perfect for sharing over good conversation. President Fiona used the occasion to present a Soroptimist badge to new member Denise who has joined at a very special time in the history of the club and we hope her Soroptimist journey will be one of service but also fun and friendship. Carole Swarbrick Immediate Past President