Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters,
In a week which sees the reversal of the easing of restrictions on gatherings of more than six people, it was perhaps timely that my own Club, Stockton-on-Tees held its first face to face meeting on Tuesday – a Summer Garden Party at President Sue’s house.
We were s
o pleased to be together again and enjoy the lovely food which Sue had provided. The chat never stopped! In addition we were able to distribute the Soroptimist Diaries ordered, and the tubes of Smarties for twenty pence donations for our charity fund; present her Past President’s badge to Margaret Wall and also to raise £175 for Ocular Melanoma, [OcuMelUK] by the generosity of members, both those who attended and some who were not able to attend.
Also Julie gave Sue her mini President made for her during Lockdown
. The sun shone throughout, although the wind kept blowing over the vases of flowers on the tables!
Two updates to report; first from SI Newcastle upon Tyne on the emails they had previously sent to major supermarkets regarding online donations for Food Banks, which I featured in my messages earlier this year. If you Google Sainsbury’s/Fareshare you will find details of their new donating online scheme. Sainsbury’s replied to Cris Young who sent the emails ‘ I can confirm that there has been a lot of feedback and suggestions on making donations online to support people who need it most and as an organisation we have acted on it to match our company values. Thanks for taking the time to contact us’. Cris replied to this with thanks for the new scheme and enquired whether this came about because of the Soroptimist’s approach? The scheme will have great impact on those in need, especially women and girls whom we strive to support.
You may remember SI Penrith’s outstanding connection with Eden Forum against Domestic Abuse and with funding provided by Eden Problem Solving Group, [a sub-group of the Community Safety Partnership] to provide Grab Bags for victims of Domestic Abuse. I now attach a photograph of the presentation to EFADA
Early in the pandemic, Sue McGee of HARI’S WORLD [publisher of books teaching children about safety awareness in fun, exciting and innovative way http://www.harisworld.com] ] donated 50 books to Penrith Soroptimists, not something they usually do apparently. Two titles went into each of the 12 children’s bags which will take the message of Play Safe, Not Sorry, into their homes.
On Wednesday I was happy to join with SI Sunderland at their supper meeting, where their speaker, Sharon, gave a presentation on Anatomists and Bodysnatchers which probably fascinated and horrified us in equal measure. Sharon had obviously researched her subject thoroughly and even found some examples of bodysnatching in Sunderland. They were known as the Resurrection Men and some quite macabre stories emerged from her presentation. Thank you for inviting me, SI Sunderland.
On Thursday, Margaret Wall and I enjoyed a rare day out together on the Staycation Express 
– a train trip from Appleby to Skipton through the most beautiful countryside and crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct – something we had always wanted to do. We were able to spend a few hours in Skipton, where they have some great shops and where we were surprised to discover a Soroptimist sign up a side street. Obviously where Skipton Soroptimists hold their meetings and HQ of their Housing Association. 
Until next week, Stay Safe and Keep Well
In Friendship
Joyce
PRESIDENT
SINE