At the Programme Action Meeting which was held on Tuesday November 8th there was a discussion of a possible Blue Plaque for Susan Denham Christie (married and became Susan Mary Auld) was a very early member of SI Newcastle from 1938 to 1943. She was Naval Architect who lived in Jesmond Park West. However, the Common Room (formed out of the Neville Hall in Newcastle – formerly the North of England Mining Institute) is working with Newcastle University to place 5 plaques to commemorate Women in STEM. So, this might affect any ideas that the Club might have regarding the next candidate for nomination for a commemorative plaque.
Members were invited to participate in the ‘Reclaim the Night March’ on 26 November 2022. We would join Streetwise and partners. It starts at 6.30pm and will pass through Newcastle City Centre Big Market to the Quayside (approximately half mile). All Members are to confirm with Christine Lowthian if they wish to join the March.
Christine Lowthian visited with Lynne Stobbart and it was hoped this could be the start of a new working partnership with the East of the City. Building Futures East run a foodbank and provide Christmas parcels (i.e., not Christmas meals) for the East of the City. It was agreed that the Club would donate £200 to Building Futures East for Christmas parcels.
Christmas Bag packing would take place on 24th November 2022 at Joint President Christine’s house. Patricia Gatherum will supply 25 knitted Angels for the bags. C Lowthian reported re West End Foodbank Christmas Meals that the Club had transferred its £500 donation and the West End Foodbank were extremely grateful and confirmed that the meals would be delivered over the Christmas week.
Cris Young’s sponsored walks had taken place from 1 January to 12 November 2022 with a target of raising £300. At the end of October £360 had been raised with some funds still to come in. She was congratulated by the club.
Christine Lowthian reported a synopsis of the work of the Club had been sent to the William Leech Charitable Trust who had now expressed an interest to meet and discuss this further. Doreen Huddart was involved with the Medical Aid for Ukraine North East Branch which had a Just Giving Page for specific trauma equipment and she enquired whether this Trust could be approached for donations. Christine would update the Club on discussions with the Trust whose next funding round would be January 2023 with applications for February decisions. Doreen Huddart would explore the Lady Leech Fund which it was understood dealt with overseas donations.
Chris Jones agreed to investigate possible places for the club to meet face to face.
P Gatherum reported that 25 knitted baby blankets for premature babies had been delivered to the Freeman Road Hospital. All Members thanked Patricia Gatherum for the donation.