Warm greetings to all my sister Soroptimists in Northern England
I hope that you are all keeping cool, in the shade and looking after yourselves with refreshing drinks ! As always, we have some interesting and positive news to share.
S.I. Carlisle report on the current situation that is affecting some services for frail and elderly people in Carlisle. COVID guidance and restrictions have caused Age UK to close and a lunch club, which was run entirely by volunteers (many of whom are Soroptimists ) , has also closed. So Jess Sinclair tells me that she has been busying clearing out cupboards which were full of Bingo prizes and activities, Scrabble, playing cards, dominoes and games. These have now all been taken to the ladies Hostel in Water Street where the resident ladies are being encouraged to start to socialise in their sitting room. This is a great step forward for them having had to isolate in their rooms for a long period, especially at a time when they are experiencing a great deal of trauma in their lives. Jess also reports that club members have now delivered 109 toiletry bags which has more than exceeded their 100 for 100 Challenge – thank you and well done Carlisle members.
S.I.Middlesbrough report that their members are prepared for the SIGBI Day of Action on the Environment having extended an invitation to local Botanist, Anne Press, to address their July meeting. Anne was an inspiring speaker who, after telling us a bit about her work abroad , explained how the damage we have inflicted on our environment has disrupted the fragile chemical balance of our connectivity with nature, which is threatening the survival of a number of plant and animal species. Her key message was to encourage young people to study botany and sustain biodiversity in order to protect the gene pool for future generations. Anne illustrated her interesting talk by showing us samples of plants and describing their importance in the ecosystem. She entertained us by reading a few short, but topical poems ! Members may have read more about Anne Press in the wonderful Lockdown project “Overcoming the Odds” book which S.I. Middlesbrough very successfully produced and sold. On the SIGBI Day of Action
itself, members will be calculating their carbon footprints! Results of the UN Carbon Footprint Survey will be collated by Programme Action Coordinator Margaret Clark. In addition, we hope that we can make an impact with a range of individual actions, from avoiding plastic to walking instead of using the car, switching off unnecessary appliances and having a meat free day. To this end, members have shared some imaginative recipes, and we’ll be munching mushrooms – not meat ! Thank you Middlesbrough members for this timely reminder of our Day of Action.
Anne Press with her examples of local flora. An early reminder of the next REGIONAL COFFEE GATHERING on Saturday 7th August at 10.30am. All members are welcome to join us for an hour of friendship and chat – no Agenda’s ! – no minutes ! – just us keeping in touch with each other and sharing stories. A Zoom link will be sent out nearer the day. If you wish to attend then please email Margaret Ayton at margaretayton40@gmail.com
Now for some very happy news ! I am taking this opportunity to wish our Past Regional President Shirley Hallam all the very best wishes for Saturday 24 July when she will be getting married to Peter Gould. I
have received the following message from members of her club :-
S.I. Tynemouth, Whitley Bay & District : “We believe that Peter’s earliest encounter with Soroptimists ‘in action’ was on the Seafront outside Tynemouth Priory and Castle as members of our club gathered
with other local women’s group to support the annual DIVA Walk along the coastline. This charming man, walking hand in hand with Shirley, was immediately welcomed and absorbed into
our extended community and he has continued to visibly support both Shirley and her commitment to Soroptimism ever since. Fund raising special events; SIGBI Conference – Peter remains engaged, interested and very present in our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of women and girls. We could not be happier for Shirley and Peter on the occasion of their marriage” Shirley ( on the right ) with some of her club members on the DIVA walk.
Now – there is more to this story…….. on 22nd June 2021 S.I.Newcastle upon Tyne inducted a new member – Mandy Coppin who is the Chief Executive Officer of
“STREETWISE” – which is a local charity providing a range of health and wellbeing services to young people aged between 11 and 25 years old. Many of you may
remember when Shirley was our Regional President in 2018-19, she chose “STREETWISE” as her regional charity ( together with ‘Daft and as a Brush’). Shirley and Peter have decided to ask their friends and families not to give or send them wedding gifts but if they so wish to please make a donation to “STREETWISE” and so
continue the interest and support that Soroptimists have given this much needed service for local young people. Cheques and donations should be made out to “Streetwise Young
People’s Projects” and sent to :- Shirley Hallam at 53 Davison Avenue, Whitley Bay NE26 3ST. We hope that Shirley and Peter have a wonderful day next Saturday and enjoy living the
rest of their lives together .
We also welcome Mandy Coppin as one of our newest members and hope that she enjoys her membership with the fellowship and sense of purpose that it brings to us all. Shirley ( centre in the red dress ) and Mandy Coppin (on her left in black) at the Carlisle Regional Meeting (in March 2019 ) when Mandy Coppin inspired us with her personal story of homelessness and her dedication to improve the lives of young people. We were all wearing hats that day to mark Brain Tumour Research Day that S.I.Cockermouth was supporting.
My next REGIONAL NEWSLETTER will be on Sunday 1st August . I know that some clubs do not meet in August, but if you do have any news to share then please do send it to me before you take a break for the summer holidays.
Take care over the summer – stay safe
in friendship – Christine Lumsdon – your regional President