Colburn Community Hub
As has become traditional, we held our November Meeting in Colburn, at the village Community Hub. We handed over an impressive array of donations – food, toiletries, gifts – towards the Christmas Hampers which the community group provides for those in need in the area. There was also a heap of warm clothes donated for the Community Warm Rail. It is a privilege to help the magnificent work of the Colburn Community volunteers.
Lady Chaytor
Our speaker was Kate Streatfield, who gave us a tour and talk about the Easby Abbey ruins earlier this year. This time Kate’s gave us a fascinating insight into the extraordinary life of Lady Isobel Chaytor, ‘ A Titled Northern Lady’. Although she came from a modest family in Middlesbrough, in 1912 she married the third son of the Chaytor family, Baronets of Croft and owners of Witton Castle. Unexpectedly her husband inherited the title and Lady Isobel was able to live a very full life as a society hostess, fashionista, traveller and adventurer. She was a prolific gossip columnist of the London Society scene and later a Hollywood resident, very adept at self-promotion in her own columns in the Northern press! Kate is currently writing a book about Lady Chaytor which she hopes will be out in the middle of next year.
‘Call to Action’
Members who attended the annual Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland Conference earlier in the month reported that the new SIGBI President issued the Federation a stirring call to action to:
Be kind to one another, demonstrating what it means to be a Soroptimist (best of
sisters)
Embrace the very reasons upon which we were founded
Remember that all views are valid, let’s forget “we have always done it this way”
or “why have we always done it this way”. Instead listen, respect each other’s views
and move forward. We are a broad and inclusive women’s organisation, and there is
room for everyone.
Continue with all the wonderful and impactful work you are doing, whether it is
local, national or international, remembering always that every time you engage with
someone you are changing that person’s life.
And finally go back to your Clubs and Regions confident in the knowledge that you
are all MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE and it is recognised and respected by all who
come into contact with you
We will continue to do our best to embrace these core values of Soroptimism!
Programme Action Update
We held our third fundraising Coffee Morning of the year on 8th November, and are pleased to have raised £212 for our charities fund
Wendy Arrowsmith gave an update on our Lend With Care program, as we continue our regular micro-loan investments
Chris Bowran is in contact with Richmond School Sixth Form College to organise our next Sharing our Skills student visitors in the New Year.
Jenny Cathcart reported that Oxfam has sadly stopped accepting mobile phones for recycling, but she has found an alternative to the recent recipients for our old phones. Vodafone in association with Barnardo’s will refurbish old phones donated at Vodafone stores, and pass them on to those in need. We have donated over 40 phones this year, gathered from members families.
Invitations
Club members have been invited to attend 3 Christmas Events:
The Richmond Mayor’s Charity Carol Service on December 10th
Richmond School Christmas carol concert in the school hall on Tuesday 9th December at 7pm
Richmond School have also invited us to their Christmas carol service in St. Mary’s church at 6pm on Thursday 18th December
A number of members will also be attending the SI Yorkshire Regional Conference. Babs Hunt has organised a card from the club for Judith as she becomes regional president for the second year. A present from the club has been purchased: a small tray with two mugs, and a plaque, all with maps of Richmond on them. They will be presented to Judith at the RCM
Upcoming Projects
Sue Young announced that Baroness Hale, our club’s patron, has written a new book. This is a series of vignettes themed around making the law work better for everyone, and she is happy to come and speak to us about it. This will make a good fundraiser, so Sue has booked the Holiday Inn Scotch Corner in April for a Talk with Afternoon Tea.
Babs Young reminded the club about the SI Yorkshire Region ‘Train Safety Day’ on 4th December. Members across the Region will arrive at York Railway Station at 11:15 for a promotion of Women’s Train Travel Safety, where there will be a media presence. The group will then travel on to Scarborough for a special lunch.
As usual, there will be no Club Meeting in December except for a celebratory Christmas meal together. January will see our annual planning day meeting at the Scotch Corner Hotel, when we will agree our charities, speakers and projects for the new year.
SI Richmond & Dales wishes you all a happy Festive Season!
