Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters
It is time to celebrate one of our SINE members who features in this month’s #WhoisShe – the nominated women whose contribution to Soroptimism and society is recorded in this remarkable list. She is Margaret Alderson, a member of Tynemouth,Whitley Bay and District – a very special lady, who is known, respected and loved by all of us and whom I have looked up to as a Soroptimist role model since I first got involved in Regional matters back in the 1980’s.
In 1988, when she became our Regional [then DU] President, I remember hearing her speak at the Charter Dinner of SI Newcastle upon Tyne – a speech which inspired me, beginning with the first lines of Dicken’s Tale of Two Cities – ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness’ etc. She has continued to inspire me through the years and I especially remember what a spectacular success she made as Chairman of the 2013 Gateshead Federation Conference. Always involved, always interesting and interested, and unfailingly kind, she remains a true Soroptimist lady. You can read all about Margaret’s Soroptimist career in this attachment.
Louise Bower, President of SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District,
presented her with her certificate earlier this week.
CLUB NEWS
News first from SI Cockermouth . I have previously recorded that with SI Penrith and SI Carlisle, they provide New Start Bags to Cumbria Police and they recently received this feedback from the Modern Day Slavery Co-ordinator Sandra Ratcliffe. This came from one of the police officers involved in Safeguarding victims:
I requested one of these victim starter bags today for a victim of modern day slavery, a Bulgarian, who speaks little to no English. He is currently in Cumbria alone, with virtually no belongings. I have just received the bag and we cannot believe how much stuff is in there! It is a great idea and will help him so much. It’s ideal. Thank you to whoever puts these together.
Sandra advised the officer that ‘our lovely Soroptimists had taken the time and effort to create these bags and our Churches together in Cumbria had assisted in the storage of them.’ Such good feedback which needs to be shared with all of you. [Partnership Working as well!].
In discussion with their local Food Bank, Cockermouth ladies have been making up small Christmas Care Bags of toiletries and nice ‘smellies’ for both women and men. These will be given out as gifts by the Food Bank nearer Christmas. Joan Hetherington is seen here with just a few of the bags.
Also, the Club is supporting ‘Tree Sisters’ to enable the planting of 100 trees. In addition they are helping a local tree planting scheme ‘Sally’s Field’ by providing a few saplings. Jane Inman is pictured with six horse chestnuts she has grown by collecting and planting conkers. Horse Chestnuts are now classed as ‘vulnerable’ on the 
endangered species list.
Patricia’s ANGELS are ready to fly! – Now the Angel Story can be told. For many weeks, Patricia Gatherum [SI Newcastle upon Tyne] and friends, have been knitting angels – hundreds of them – they are for the residents of six Care Homes in Morpeth, two Retirement Homes and for nurses in a Psychiatric Unit, as well as for individuals throughout the town in time for Christmas. Having been quarantined in their boxes for the requisite time, they are now ready to be delivered in the weeks before Christmas – and the latest total is 970 angels! Impressive !
These lovely Angels are going to bring joy to so many people! 
Barbara Brown – SI Darlington & District – updated me on Food for Thought, where she is a delivery driver every Friday. Recently they delivered dishes prepared by students of Darlington College – Ham Hock broth, Chicken with vegetables and Bakewell tart. It is good for the students to know that they are working for a purpose. By the way, here is the link for you to hear Barbara’s Story which I told you about last week It is read by Sheena Bhatessa.
SI Durham’s Riders, Joggers, Amblers and Ramblers have exceeded their goal of 1000 miles during Lockdown by totalling 1109.14 miles and raising £1,383 for Bright Red, their chosen charity. This is an outstanding achievement which has far exceeded their expectations. Well done, Durham Ladies!
There will be a supplemental message this morning which will contain some ORANGE photographs which I have received. I also have a number of excellent entries for the SOROPTI-PET competition; thank you to those of you who have taken the trouble to adorn your pet with orange, in some imaginative ways. It can’t have been easy to keep the sitters still!. The closing date is the 10th December.
Finally, Jane Leak [SI Stockton-on-Tees] sent me a this image of a wintry North Sea which she took on a recent morning walk, 
I have hesitated to use the following quote because there seems to be confusion as to the origins of its author, either E M Forster or Joseph Campbell. Whoever wrote it, I think it is particularly apt as we look towards a New Year:
‘We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us!’
Until next week – STAY SAFE, KEEP WELL
In Friendship,
JOYCE
JOINT REGIONAL PRESIDENT
SINE