In 2013 two secondary school teachers in London witnessed the multiple barriers facing girls in their classrooms – including pressure to conform to ideals, lack of confidence and a lack of professional role models,  Based on research showing that conversations and personal relationships could have a big impact on challenging stereotypes and expectations, they established a mentoring scheme.  The Girls’ Network was soon in high demand and now operates in London, Greater Manchester and across the south coast. Our Programme Action Officer, Val, spoke at our November meeting about her experiences as a mentor with the charity over the past year. She told members about the ideals of the charity, how the Club came to hear about it through a friend of President Barbara and deciding to volunteer. Val went on to talk about the training evening and the excitement of the matching event where

We were contacted by S I Freiburg about a group of girls from Chemnitz who wanted to visit the Pankhurst Centre around the 100th anniversary of some women obtaining the vote. They were given a tour by one of our members, Susan H. who is a volunteer at the centre, accompanied by several other members. Susan said ‘The group from Germany really enjoyed the Pankhurst Centre and thanked Rose for organising the visit and me for doing the talk and showing them round. They had great fun dressing up in Suffragette costumes and taking lots of photos. They were extremely nice people and have every intention of keeping in touch. They extended and open invitation to us to visit them in Chemnitz.

President Barbara attended the 80th anniversary celebrations of two of our daughter Clubs – Bolton and Stockport At Stockport Barbara took part in their ‘Pathways’ presentation which talked about the setting up and development of the Club over the years. She was delighted to learn that the Club came into being when a number of Stockport women met five Manchester Club members on 10th March 1938 and that the 19 women who signed the petition to start the Stockport Club included a costumier, a headmistress, a masseuse, a pharmacist and a milliner.       At Bolton’s celebration Barbara was asked to cut their beautiful cake alongside President Maureen and the Club’s youngest member, Jodie.  

Our annual Friendship Evening was held at Heald Green village Hall on 13th October. Members enjoyed food, friendship and fun as well as a ceremony in which candles were lit for our six Friendship Link clubs – Essen, Johannesburg, St Petersburg, Wichita, Grosse Pointe and Fort-de-France Alizes Sud.

Hannah Morowa, CEO of WomenMATTA, spoke at our October meeting. WomenMATTA is a charity which offers help and support to women coming into contact with the criminal justice system. Hannah explained that police custody suites can refer women when they are first arrested; workers visit women in prison and provide support to them on release. Support is available in finding appropriate accommodation, addressing physical and mental needs, benefits and debt issues and domestic abuse. This support not only results in lives turned around and a massive reduction in re-offending, but also saves a significant amount of public money. We were pleased to be able to donate over 100 bras.

A group of members visited Dunham Massey’s  Women and Power event which told the stories of the women (and men) who fought both for and against female suffrage.     They also heard about three women who have shaped Dunham’s history – Lady Mary Booth, the first and only woman to inherit and run the estate, Penelope Lady Stanford who made the decision to open the military hospital during the First World War and the longstanding housekeeper, Mrs Isabella Collins. Thanks to Sue H. for arranging a most interesting and enjoyable visit.

We had a lovely Ghanaian Evening with delicious food cooked by Liz and her family. Everyone enjoyed the food and some managed to eat outside in spite of being buzzed by wasps. Some took part in a dance lead by Liz to music from Ghana. She displayed colourful goods, typical of the country. £270 was raised for our charities.   In all a great fun evening. Thank you Liz. Rose Marginson      

Our Strawberry Tea was held in Susan and David’s lovely garden on 12th August. Over 20 members and friends enjoyed sandwiches, scones, cakes as well as strawberries and cream. Proceeds will go to St Ann’s Hospice.

Eddie Tarry, Community Engagement Manager at Styal Prison spoke at our August meeting. His role is wide ranging and he received the Butler Trust commendation from Princess Anne in 2011. Styal opened as a female prison in 1962 having previously been an orphanage and a refugee camp. Styal offers a variety of activities, including education and vocational training, enabling women to gain employment on their release. Notable among these are the Clink Restaurant, an annual entry in the Tatton Flower Show (for which they have received a number of medals) and Recycling Lives, a waste management company. A most interesting and enlightening insight.

President Barbara inducted Lynne as a new member at our July meeting. Lynne, who is a retired General Practitioner, is now one of our linked members. Rose Marginson