Recently, we had International Women’s Day celebration where we were delighted to welcome guests from SI Stockton, and, also, some of the wonderful women who had featured in Jan Hunter’s series in the Darlington and Stockton Times (D&S T). Our speaker, Hannah Chapman, is the first female Editor of D&S T and gave an interesting insight into the challenges of the role. Jenny Medhurst, a Fairtrade campaigner, brought a stall so that we could buy Fairtrade products and generate some urgently needed income for farmers (many of them women) whose livelihoods are affected by the fall in sales due to the pandemic and the threat of climate change. Jenny told us some stories from those communities – some concerning, others heart-warming. We are thankful to our speakers and all our guests for gracing us with their presence on the evening.

We were delighted to present President Elect Uzma with her chain of office at our recent meeting.

SI Middlesbrough have worked alongside The Bungalow Partnership for a number of years by providing treats for the families at Easter and Christmas, knitted teddies for the children, and general support for the work of the organisation. Our latest contribution in preparation for the festive season includes the usual goodies plus colouring books and crayons for the children. The Director and one of the original founders, Marie Blythe, was recently featured in the Darlington and Stockton Times in an article which highlighted her dedication to children whose emotional well-being had been impacted by poverty, sexual abuse and domestic violence. Marie’s work includes using play and the language of children in order to explore the difficulties in their lives. She says “You try to see the world through their eyes…..you try to gain their trust – we are not the experts, the child is”. Marie’s current

We are delighted to welcome back our President Elect Uzma who has had a long stay in Pakistan dealing with family issues.

We are delighted to donate the proceeds of our Afternoon Tea raffle to Mary Thompson Fund, supporting refugees.

45 members and guests gathered at St. Cuthbert’s Parish Centre in Marton to enjoy a delicious tea and to celebrate the 75 year Anniversary of SI Middlesbrough. Proceedings began with a welcome from President Geraldine, who reflected on the social issues of 1945 in the wake of the end of WW2 and how inspired those Middlesbrough women must have been to establish a club in the months following the declaration of peace.  Geraldine then invited Regional President Christine Lumsdon, for whom it was the last formal engagement in that role, to light the Peace Candle, while our longest serving member, Alwyn Kraus, cut the celebration cake. It also just happened that Alwyn and Past Regional President Joyce Chesney were sharing a birthday, along with another of our guests, so Margaret Clark led us in a rousing chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’!! Regional President Christine then presented

Thanks to all who supported our 75th anniversary Tea and particularly for donations received. It was a day to remember!

Kim Ann Williamson MBE, SIGBI Assistant Programme Director (Peace) will be addressing our meeting on Teams on Thursday 21 October at 6.45pm on the vital subject of Modern Slavery Awareness – What makes Soroptimists unique? All welcome to join for this rare opportunity. Joining details to follow.