Skip links

President’s Weekly Message – Week Thirty-Three

President’s Weekly Message – Week Thirty-Three

in
"Good Morning Sister Soroptimists, I am happy to begin this message with congratulations to HILARY CLAVERING - an outstanding Soroptimist - who features in the November #WhoIsShe on the SIGBI website. Hilary and I first met in 1984 when we became Presidents of our respective clubs - she of SI Sunderland and me of SI Stockton - on -Tees. We have been good friends ever since. For at least 25 years after our year of office, we met annually with the Past Presidents Group from 18 clubs, with Jean Carter, who had been DU President that year. This lunch date carried on until there were only about 3 of us left. On a couple of occasions, Hilary hosted us in The Bungalow, and I have to tell you that she makes a delicious Tiramisu! Hilary is someone I can always go to when I am
Weekly Message from Regional Presidents – Joyce and Christine – Week Thirty-Two

Weekly Message from Regional Presidents – Joyce and Christine – Week Thirty-Two

in
Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters. Last night, if all had been 'normal', we should have been in Belfast, where I would have handed over the Presidential Chain to Christine Lumsdon in the Change of Insignia ceremony. I am sad for Christine that she has not had that pleasure and could not be applauded by our SINE members who would have attended. As you will be aware, she has generously allowed me to share the Presidency with her until March 2021; so we are now Joint Presidents.  She sends you the following: Greetings to all our Northern England Sisters - thank you for all your messages and support in these changing times. For the first time, we have a a Joint Regional Presidency between Joyce and myself for the next few months until March 2021. I hope that you will continue to send your news, photographs and messages
President Joyce Weekly Message – Thirty -Two

President Joyce Weekly Message – Thirty -Two

in
Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters, How do I begin to say ‘thank you'  for what happened on Friday, my birthday?  Well, it was the most wonderful day with so many cards with lovely messages, E cards, flowers and gifts.  I even received a video message from SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District, with members singing Happy Birthday to me! That was incredible, thank you. I have my suspicions that you had all been made aware that it was my birthday!  Thank you to Anne Gunning who posted to me one of her NHS Teddies, as well as an ORANGE Face Mask and insisted I took a selfie. So here it is! [1] Thank you to all of you who wished me well on a day which turned out to be full of surprises! I feel truly blessed to have such amazing Soroptimist friends! Your Regional Officers
President Joyce Weekly Message – Thirty

President Joyce Weekly Message – Thirty

in
Good Morning Sister Soroptimists, It is hard to deny that the news this week has been grim, as our fight against this dreadful virus falters and restrictions, which had given us some freedoms, are strengthened again. Just as we were getting used to doing some pleasurable activities like coffee and meals with friends, meeting up with families indoors or even resuming face to face club activities, they have to cease. Much of our lives will be changed again as we enter a new three tier system of Covid-19 restrictions .I send my good wishes to you all, knowing how hard it will be for some of you and I hope that the news I am sharing  today, will bring you some cheer. It is always good to follow up on a story reported previously and my first photograph shows the presentation made by SI Penrith members
President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty-Nine

President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty-Nine

in
Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters   Following on from last week's message when I listed the various named 'days', I realised that I had missed the International Day of Peace, observed around the world every year on 21 September and, for our Soroptimist Sisters of SI  Penrith, this year was no exception. Due to the current restrictions, it was decided to keep the celebration simple and six members met in the Coronation Garden, Penrith, beside the rose trees which were planted in the garden, [along with commemorative plaque] by Penrith Soroptimists to celebrate Peace Day in 2014.  They gained publicity for this in their local press and also gave contact details for the Club. Other days which have been celebrated this past week include UK Modern Slavery Day and Global Mental Health Day and today is International Day of the Girl Child. Forgive me if I
President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty – Eight

President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty – Eight

in
Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters, This week has seen International Friendship Day,  National Poetry Day [of this, more later] as well as the UN International Day of Non Violence and Peace,  National Bookshop Day and the International Day for Older People.  With reference to the latter, I have just written a Birthday Card to a lady who will become 105 on 8 October. I don't know this lady and have never met her, but she is in a Nursing Home close to where I live and the staff have appealed on Facebook for people to send birthday cards to her since there are no visitors allowed and they want to make her birthday extra special. It is hoped that she will receive 105 cards! I rather think she will get many more from the comments on Facebook.  Happy Birthday, Florence @ Wellburn House! Since our Virtual
President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty- Seven

President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty- Seven

in
Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters, I am thrilled every week to receive your messages, sometimes with news of what you are doing, or if you just make contact to say 'hello' or to comment on something I have reported. Maureen Dixon, an Associate Member from Penrith, messages me every week saying how much she enjoys reading my message with her morning coffee! Last week she told me it had to wait until later as Blencathra was calling! Indeed! - the photograph she sent me  was spectacular showing the Lakeland view in all its Autumn glory, I am happy to share it with you. Thank you Maureen I received a delightful letter this week from Norah Thornthwaite of SI Tynedale giving me news of her service activities in Hexham. Norah has been involved with the West Northumberland Food Bank for about seven years and is now voted
President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty-Six

President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty-Six

in Tags
Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters, I think you will agree that the week has ended in disappointment as the spiralling number of Coronavirus cases has resulted in many areas facing renewed restrictions on activities and movement.  How devastating this worsening situation is and I send my good wishes to many of you who may have to revert to additional precautions to keep you safe. I share your sadness. It seems that 'normality' or a 'new normal' is still a long way in the future! However, in spite of the depressing news, I do have some good news stories to share with you. The Bluebell Bus 7000 mile coastal walk began the final leg of the journey when Brian and Cheryl Burnie set off from James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough on Saturday, 12 September. How good it was to see that Pam Cooper, President, SI Middlesbrough was
President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty – Five

President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty – Five

in
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 so 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
President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty-Four

President Joyce Weekly Message – Twenty-Four

in
Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters We have enjoyed a much better week of weather than the previous week when storms Ellen and Francis gave us much heavy rain, strong winds and lower temperatures. I do feel though, that mornings are beginning to feel quite Autumnal and Horse Chestnut trees are most certainly changing colour and dropping their conkers [Good for deterring spiders!] On Tuesday, I drove to Scarborough to pick up Margaret Wall, who had been holidaying there for a week. The Yorkshire Moors were looking magnificent with the purple of the heather just starting to show - in a couple of weeks it will be a spectacular journey. This week I have received some further information from Elspeth Robinson of SI Darlington about her charity the Kumi Community Foundation in Uganda, which I am happy to share with you.  Elspeth recommends we visit their website