Our April Dinner Meeting was enhanced by a talk given by Guest Speaker Graham W supported by Dave Lewis from Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes. Graham explained the background and ongoing development of the Blood Bike Network. The first blood bike volunteer group to be established in the United Kingdom was the Emergency Volunteer Service (EVS), formed in 1962. Since that time has grown to a national network of Blood Bikes operated completely by volunteers. Part of this network is the Shropshire Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes (the SSCBB) created to transport blood and other items 24/7 365 days a year across the midlands through the help of bikes which are able to push past traffic & deliver donations on time. NHS Trust Hospitals, Hospices, Milk Banks and other related organisations within Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire are provided with a free volunteer-supported transport service for

President Maggie’s designated charity for 2023 – 2025 is Save the Family, a family support charity based in Chester which offers temporary housing and round-the-clock support to homeless and at-risk families. SI Nantwich was asked to support by providing Christmas Pyjamas for all the children currently at the charity’s residential facility. SI Members have donated 38 pyjamas to Save the Family so that all the youngsters have special festive themed pyjamas for Christmas Day.                

As the old year comes to a close the collection of photos below show the effort and commitment of Nantwich and District Soroptomists in supporting organisations in their area in the past year. We expect 2025 to as busy as ever.  

We are pleased yet again to support Acton St Mary's Christmas Tree Event. This years theme is "Gogglebox" ie anything to do with Television. We chose to decorate our SI Nantwich Christmas Tree to pay tribute to the many talented and inspirational women who appear on our television screens. These women are from all walks of life, are of different faiths and cultures, some are disabled.  Some have faced discrimination and overcome many difficulties to succeed in their careers. These brilliant women show that gender does not need to be an obstacle to success and they are an inspiration to women and girls to achieve their full potential.  

Nantwich and District Soroptimists (SI Nantwich) and HerSpace hosted an Orange Café event at Nantwich Bookshop today 30th November 2024. This date has been chosen because it is the Saturday nearest the 25th November which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.   The Orange Café is part of a United Nations campaign to help end violence against women. Our aim is to mobilise people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls. The colour orange has been chosen by the United Nations because it is a bright optimistic colour and has come to represent a future free from violence against women. Mayor of Crewe Councillor Dawn Clark and the Mayor of Nantwich Councillor Stuart Bostock with Nantwich Town Crier Devlin Hobson together with Sue Piddock-Jones of SI Nantwich and Sina Eisenbarth of HerSpace We are delighted

Recently Nantwich and District Soroptimists took part in the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s church in Nantwich in aid of St Luke’s Hospice. The theme of their tree was to raise awareness of the United Nations campaign to Eliminate Violence Against Women. The use of orange was because it is a bright and hopeful colour. Not wanting to waste a really lovely tree the Soroptimists took it to the YMCA Sherborne Community Hub in Crewe which is used as a group drop-in centre for socialising, advice and guidance. The ladies soon got decorating with baubles kindly donated by one of the Soroptimists.   Helen Piddock-Jones from the Soroptimists with YMCA Team Sara Dixon,  Cathi Boughy,  Elaine Mckenna,  Alison Young, Tracey Bentley and Gail Waterhouse.  

Nantwich and District Soroptimists (SI Nantwich) and HerSpace will be hosting an Orange Café event at Nantwich Bookshop on 30th November 2024. This date has been chosen because it is the Saturday nearest the 25th November which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The Orange Café is part of a United Nations campaign to help end violence against women. Our aim is to mobilise people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls. The colour orange has been chosen by the United Nations because it is a bright optimistic colour and has come to represent a future free from violence against women. We are delighted that the Town Council have agreed to light the Civic Hall up in orange during this event and St Mary’s Church are going to create an orange glow through their windows.

A Team of Nantwich and District Soroptimists prepared and dressed their Christmas Tree at St Mary’s Nantwich, an event which supports St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice. The colour ORANGE was uniquely chosen to highlight the United Nations campaign for the elimination of violence against women. Not only supporting St Luke’s Hospice but SI Nantwich loudly and clearly call on all citizens and governments to UNiTE to End Violence against Women and girls. At this time the United Nations is running a global campaign to create a safer, equal world. As we approach this time of Christmas Celebration let us show that gender based violence in all its forms is not acceptable. On 30th November at Nantwich Bookshop SI Nantwich in partnership with Her Space will be hosting an Orange Cafe to support the United Nations UNiTE Campaign.                  

On Sunday 17th November 2024 Kath Lewis was inaugurated as new Regional President for Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral. Members representing all the Clubs in the Region joined together for a day Conference culminating in the outgoing President Janet Murfin handing the Chain of Office to Kath Lewis. The following members of SI Nantwich were delighted to be able to attend the event on behalf of the Club at the Kinmel Hotel Abergele: Anne. Jill, Sue, Helen. Marion, Lyn, Jacquie and Jean. President Maggie sent her warmest congratulations to Kath on behalf of the Club and wishes her all the best for her year in office.

Annual Act of Remembrance Ceremonies at Nantwich and Crewe Nantwich The Act of Remembrance service was held at the War Memorial on The Square to remember the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and civilian servicemen and women in times of conflict. Nationally marked on the second Sunday in November, it coincides with Armistice Day on 11th November, the anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918. The day commenced with a parade from Nantwich Civic Hall, proceeding along Market Street, then Churchyardside, and concluding at The Square. SI Nantwich was represented by Debbie Jackson who laid a wreath at the War Memorial.   Crewe The Act of Remembrance service was held at the Brittania Memorial on Memorial Square to remember the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and civilian servicemen and women in times of conflict. The day commenced with a parade from the