November meeting and talk
Our November meeting and talk were held at the Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner. This was an open meeting with guests, to hear a fascinating talk from Elizabeth Smith, Public Events Coordinator (North East) of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It was surprising to discover that they not only work to maintain the many war grave cemeteries and memorials in the UK and Europe, but in many other parts of the world as well, from South America to the Far East. It is also remarkable that new burials continue to take place, as bodies from both World War I and World War II are still being discovered. Many of our members and guests have visited these sites, and been moved by what they represent. An excellent talk!
Good news from SI Harare
Chris Bowran updated us on good news from our sister club SI Harare about two of their ongoing projects which we have previously supported. The Traditional Birthing Attendants of Epworth whom we have previously supported have recently received training from overseas, paid for by SI Harare, so the women are now qualified midwives and able to manage difficult births. They are also able to be employed in a hospital, thereby improving their own socioeconomic status. SI Harare have also received a generous donation from another of their friendship links, SI Kansas City. This has paid for solar power to be installed at the Society Of Destitute Elderly (SODA) and will be an enormous help, as SODA has no money to pay the electricity bill.
Chris has also been selling her lovely Christmas cards in aid of SI Harare, so we will also have money to donate early next year.
Sharing Our Skills Project
Our ongoing project to invite students at Richmond School to take part in our meetings and other activities will be running again in the Spring Term 2022. The School is in the process of nominating students for this year’s cohort. We don’t know whether there will be one or two or a larger group but will welcome however many want to come. We propose to continue the “buddy” system, whereby each student is linked to a club member who will look after them for the duration of their stay.
The Jonas Centre
Judith Clark updated us with our friends at The Jonas Centre. Our trees have now been planted in the grounds of the Centre. This will also be the location the SI Yorkshire President’s Gathering next year on the first weekend of July, which promises to be a really good event. We are also invited to assist The Jonas Centre with a fundraising coffee morning at Richmond Town Hall on 24th February. We are told that they need lots of help from us (we’re the experts apparently!)
Upcoming events
We will be celebrating Christmas with a meal at The Station, Richmond in December, instead of a meeting. Then in January we are holding a special Saturday meeting at Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner to plan our programme for 2022-23. We decided that we needed a longer session than usual, and have chosen a Saturday so that our working members are able to attend. This will be a daytime meeting with lunch, which will also be easier for our older members. Getting to evening meetings in winter weather in North Yorkshire can be a challenge.
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson
Our planned meeting with Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson as our speaker was sadly cancelled in 2020 due to the onset of the Covid pandemic. This also torpedoed our efforts to re-arrange this in 2021. We are now planning an evening with Dame Tanni in March, again at Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner. Holders of tickets for the original event can check with Judith Clark for details of their booking.
Season’s Greeting to you all
