An open day  was held at the Pankhurst Centre on Sunday 13th July to celebrate Emmeline’s birthday (she was born on 15th July 1858). Visitors enjoyed free entry to the museum, craft activities, live music and cake. Five of our members baked cakes and helped at the event.  

In the aftermath of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017 the club decided to set up an annual award to a performing arts student at Pendleton Sixth Form College. Many young people attended the concert and were affected by the events of that terrible night. This year the Performing Arts team nominated Ava-Grayce Gregson from the HNC Musical Theatre course. The award was presented by President Fiona –  accompanied by Rose, our club lead for the award – as the class graduated on 17th June.   Fiona said – It was a really inspiring occasion seeing how positively the students supported and appreciated each other’s achievements and the camaraderie they had developed. We were also treated to a fabulous musical performance from two of the students which underlined for us why we continue to develop this link with Pendleton College. The small award can

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.