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Blister Pack Bonanza

Blister Pack Bonanza

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A simple new project we thought……….. collecting empty tablet blister packs and taking them to Superdrug in Preston to be recycled.  Superdrug are supporting Marie Curie and any money raised by the collection goes to them.  Recycling and Raising money for charity.  Woo Hoo we thought. So I put a post on Facebook And thought nothing much about it.  Till I checked the next day and we had reached over 1500 people.  By 11.00am this had gone up to over 5000.  The next day it was 97,000 and by this time,the direct message response was impossible.  The 97,000 doubled, tripled, quadrupled and within 4 days had reached more than 8 million people. The power of social media is unbelievable. This has a bit of a downside though It’s tough to keep up with peoples’ queries – So here is what we know.   Superdrug are collecting

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day

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How did we celebrate International Women’s Day? We organised a ‘Zoominar’ to celebrate International Women’s Day – the theme being ‘Making a Difference’.   It was attended by 45 women – members, friends and speakers.  Our keynote speakers were  Katherine Fletcher MP for South Ribble and Lucy Candy, manager of the Preston domestic violence refuge.  Preston members Barbara Brown and Barbara Holroyd both spoke about someone they found inspirational.  Barbara H’s choice was Greta Thunberg and Barbara B’s was a Australian lady called Sara Henderson whose life story would make a tv serial.  Another Preston member, Audrey Forster told us about all the voluntary work she has done over the years.  And there has been loads.  There was a guest appearance – thanks to jiggery pokery and technology  – from Edith Rigby, the Preston suffragette who died in 1950 and the event closed with the final

Despite the Pandemic We……………………..

Despite the Pandemic We……………………..

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So, what did we get up to during 2020 with all the restrictions? Well – quite a lot considering. We sent letters to Government Ministers and local MPs regarding the amendment to the proposed Domestic Violence Abuse Bill re the new offence of non-fatal strangulation. Members supported the local hospice –  St Catherine’s Hospice in Lostock Hall.  One member undertook clerical work from home (mailshot for the lottery/transferring entries from their Remembrance Book on to an on-line format) and helps regularly at the cafe with the takeaway system.  Two Club members took part in the virtual Moonlight & Memories walk raising circa £500.00 We continue to support Partners in Education Swaziland (PIES).  Two members are trustees and five sponsor a child’s education. We have two Domestic Violence Refuges in the area.  We provided  them with ‘Welcome’ packs of toiletries/underwear, pyjamas and chocolate selection boxes.  One

Member Lynn Yates delivering toiletry bags to the Foxton Centre
SI Preston and the pandemic

SI Preston and the pandemic

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So what have we been doing during lockdown? Well, we’ve have a business meeting via teleconference facility and it wasn’t the total chaos that it could have been.  Mainly due to the strict management of our new secretary, Barbara.  The exec has held a Zoom executive meeting too.  Members have kept in touch with each other with phone calls and emails.

Volunteer Week

Volunteer Week

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  It’s Volunteers’ Week Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity where an individual or group freely gives time “to benefit another person, group or organization”. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development and is often intended to promote goodness or to improve human quality of life Or so Wikipedia says!

Members modelling the bras they collected to send to Smalls for All.
Smalls for All?

Smalls for All?

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Smalls for All is a charity that collects ‘gently used’ underwear and sends it to girls and women and children in Africa and the UK.  It is an easy project for anyone to do which can make a massive impact on lives.  Members of our club decided to collect those forgotten bras that are lying in the drawer.  Those that we forgot we had.  Those that seemed like a bargain when we bought them but will probably never fit anyway.  Everyone is a winner!    

Our ‘Misses’ finish another academic year

Our ‘Misses’ finish another academic year

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Our school club at Penwortham Girls’ High School held an ”End of Year’ Ceremony to celebrate the work they have done over the past year and to decide on next year’s President and two Vice Presidents. Some of our members accepted the invitation from the girls to come and help them celebrate and commemorate their achievements.  The girls took turns to speak to the group speaking of how much they are enjoying being part of the group and telling us of their plans for next year. They have sponsored two girls in Swaziland through a year of education with the charity PIES.  This is no mean feat as each sponsorship is £320 but, without their help, the girls in Swazi would not be able to go to school.  Our ‘Misses’ are passionate about continuing this accomplishment. Five girls were welcomed as new members and received 

Drop in for a cuppa

Drop in for a cuppa

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Our drop in cafe at Kingsfold Library, Penwortham is proving to be a great success. We are now into month three and have several regulars popping in every week to sample our (mainly!) home made (calorie free?)  cakes and have a brew.  We have met loads of interesting people and discussed topics  ranging from dogs to dyslexia.  We are planning to hold some themed events and look forward to meeting many more people and hopefully, bringing a smile to a few faces. Drop in on a Tuesday and say ‘Hello’.

How to Wear a Kimono and Street Pastors

How to Wear a Kimono and Street Pastors

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We have had some great speakers so far this year:  Dave from Preston and South Ribble Street Pastors spoke about how he and his fellow pastors roam the streets of Preston every Saturday night from 10.30 till 3.00am when normal people are fast asleep.  The pastors help and support night club and pub go-ers who are, as he so sweetly put it, ‘in a bit of a muddle’.  This could be finding a taxi for them or their friends or give out flip flops to girls who have taken off their shoes (and who hasn’t ever done this? – even some Soroptimists in their dim and distant youth) and are in danger of cutting feet or worse.  They support the homeless and the street workers.  A couple of our members made up some ‘girly packs’ with shampoo, soap, sanitary protection etc and these have been