Our Centenary year of fundraising suppers continued on Friday evening with a supper hosted by Past President Carole at her home in Horwich. At the end of the hottest day of the year, seven club members plus Sue’s intrepid traveller friend Sharon, started the evening cooling down in Carole’s pretty garden with welcome glasses of refreshment! Carole provided a most delicious supper and the evening unfolded with plenty of discussion and chat, some of it Soroptimist related and some not; nothing off limits and all of it entertaining. It was a most enjoyable evening – great food, great company, once again proving that Soroptimists are sisters and most importantly good friends. Thank you, Carole, for making us all so welcome.   Since I am situated in probably the most southern outpost of SI Manchester, Carole extended her generous hospitality to me with Bed and Breakfast,

Planning for the event started in the winter but came together on a glorious June evening when we enjoyed and celebrated the spirit of Africa. The African heritage members of S I Manchester wished to highlight their traditions during the centenary year and it all came together in a wonderful mix of colour, music, dance, food and fun. The drummers set the scene with the rhythmic beating of the djembe drums followed by the wonderful dancers. The delicious African food followed supplemented with dishes and desserts provided by Soroptimist members. The priorities of S I Manchester were highlighted by President Fiona, representatives of The River Manchester, and Alison’s daughter Clarissa and her friend Katie. All gave moving accounts of their work with victims of domestic abuse with one African lady telling her story as a victim and the important support she had received from The

We are very proud of our Vice President Cathrine who completed the Edinburgh Half Marathon to raise funds for Contact Hostel, a charity  we started supporting in 2024.         Cathrine says – I swapped my theatre clogs for running shoes to do the Edinburgh Half Marathon, fundraising for Contact Hostel in support of homeless young women and girls who need help to lead happy and fulfilling lives and to reach their potential.  The weather was a bit hot and sunny for running despite a forecast for rain, but the expected strong winds showed up which presented a challenge for the runners. The local support on the beautiful coastal route was fantastic with the Edinburgh residents offering jelly babies along the way to keep us fuelled! When my legs were in pain and felt like they could not keep running, it was the

Katie Bridge from Wood Street Mission was our speaker at the May meeting. The charity was founded in 1869 to provide the basic necessities of life – food, shelter and clothing – to alleviate the appalling levels of hunger, poverty and destitution which many in the slum areas of Manchester and Salford had to endure.         Today the charity’s projects encompass five areas – Family Basics Low income families are provided with the day to day essential items that every family need for their children – clothing, bedding ,towels, toys, baby equipment and toiletries. 2,545 children received help in 2024. Smart Start New school uniforms are provided to ensure that children from struggling families are not made to feel different from their classmates and can focus on their learning. Other school essentials such as winter coats, school bags, sports kit and stationery

Members were very pleased to receive this – On behalf of Soroptimist International, I am pleased to inform you that your Club’s outstanding project, “Sewing and Crafting with Manchester Women’s Aid” has been selected as an exemplary initiative and included in SI’s work on the International Day of Education. Please find attached a certificate in acknowledgment of this achievement. We encourage you to share this recognition with your Club members and community. Thank you once again for your continued commitment to the Soroptimist mission.

Fiona Spencer was elected President at our Annual General Meeting at Sale Conservative Club on 12th April which marked the start of our centenary celebrations.

Rose delivered Easter Eggs to The River for the families they support and raffle prizes for the fundraising musical evening they are having in May . She enjoyed meeting some of the volunteers and counsellors too.

Soroptimist International of Manchester started off their year of Centenary celebrations with a very successful “Afternoon Tea With Speaker” at Heald Green Village Hall.  All the tickets were sold, food was prepared by club members, the hall was decorated with bunting, pretty tea plates, cups and saucers were laid out and many club members were on hand to see that the guests were served and had a very enjoyable time. The proceedings started with a glass of sparkling wine followed by a most enlightening illustrated talk by John Travis entitled “Fabulous Jewels and their Famous Owners”.   He showed us pictures of jewels from Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II.  It was very interesting to learn how the precious jewels were used again and again being incorporated into different styles of crowns, tiaras, necklaces, rings and brooches according to the fashion of the day. 

Sue, Rosemary and I met recently met with Dr Donnell Davis who is the Soroptimist International Programme Director South East Asia Pacific. Donnell was visiting an old friend and work colleague in Manchester on her way back home to Australia from the United Nations in New York. Donnell had delivered a paper in New York with good news as well as highlighting areas of concern. Her message was whilst there has been progress on climate change there is a need for greater focus on adolescence issues and women’s reproductive health. We arranged to meet at The Pankhurst Centre the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst who, along with her sister Christabel, were the charismatic leaders of the Women’s Social and Political Union. The movement became known as the suffragettes. We had lunch in the Whitworth Art Gallery with the added attraction of an exhibition entitled Women

Sharon – friend of our Treasurer Sue – has raised over £800 (far exceeding her target) for our centenary charity fund by walking the Camino Ingles – 115 km from Ferrol in northern Galicia to Santiago de Compostela. Also known as the English Way because medieval pilgrims from Britain would sail to Ferrol then complete their journey overland to Santiago. We are so grateful to Sharon. From our club to Sharon on Facebook – Sharon, all Soroptimist International of Manchester members send our grateful thanks for choosing to donate your sponsorship to our Centenary Charities Fund  Thank you for sharing your photos and insights during your incredible journey. You are an inspiration to us all  Comments from some of of our members on our Social WhatsApp – Carole – Terrific achievement. You are amazing. Rosemary – We are so glad you chose our charities to