July Activities
Instead of our usual monthly meeting, in July we were invited to visit The Jonas Centre at Redmire in Wensleydale. The Centre provides subsidised respite breaks in log cabins for those suffering bereavement, long term illness and other stresses. There are animals, beautiful walks and a recently established forest and orchard where trees can be purchased to commemorate loved ones. The club purchased a microwave and 6 toasters for the cabins as well as donating a large number of towels, toiletries, place mats and a chest freezer. We visited the centre recently and are pleased to hear they are not affected by the recent floods. The picture shows members with our donated items when the weather was sunny but breezy. We were treated to supper and a tour of the facilities, and donated the money we would normally have spent on our monthly meeting meal.
Several members accompanied by their husbands also attended an event organised by SI Middleborough. This was a delicious afternoon tea to raise funds for their project to buy a “Pink Tuk-Tuk” for Sri Lanka. This is on behalf of The Rosie May Foundation, which is providing Pink Tuk-Tuks driven by women to provide secure public transport for women and children. 80% of women surveyed reported being sexually harassed or attacked on public transport. The fund was started by a couple in memory of their daughter who was murdered. They buy custom coloured tuk-tuks and train the drivers. SI Middlesbrough is aiming to raise £3,500 to fund one vehicle and training for two drivers to operate it. We heard a speech from the fund’s founder, and were also entertained by a local community choir. Over £1,100 was raised at the event.
Busy in June
At our June meeting one of our members, Wendy Arrowsmith, who is a primary school teacher, visited Bakau New Town Lower Basic School in the Gambia as part of a group of teachers with the Yorkshire to the Gambia Educational Trust. This Trust supports schools in the Gambia and have provided drinking water for one school and new rooves for another. There is no technology in the classrooms, basic sanitation and girls tend to drop out of education. Wendy ran phonics workshops for teachers and told the club about a new project started by the retiring Headteacher who has started a literacy group for 35 women. There are also plans to make sanitary pads to support girls to attend school. The club has asked how it can help to support these initiatives.
Three of our members attended the Yorkshire Regional Conference, which was held at the Yorkshire Air Museum on the theme Home Front to Front Line. Speakers told us about the history of the base which became the museum, the history of the women of the Air Transport Auxilliary and the WAAFs. We were also delighted to hear from Iris Newbould, a sprightly 94 year-old reminiscing about her time in the Womens Land Army, and Corporal Katherine Weight, who shared her varied and challenging experiences in the RAF, where she is a Logistics specialist. An excellent day all round.
(The image behind Iris is of the remarkable Womens Land Army Memorial at Clochan, near Elgin in NE Scotland.)
Seven of us made a visit to Helmsley to see our former member, Mary Lovell MBE, taking her for Afternoon Tea. Mary moved from Richmond only 2 months ago, to be nearer her daughter, but it was lovely to see her in good form, and to admire her lovely new apartment. Mary is already settled in and making friends.
Finally, the “Caring for You” rose bush which we planted in the Friary Garden as part of Richmond in Bloom is now in flower, and looking lovely.
EVA at May Meeting
Richinda Taylor, the CEO of Eva Women’s Aid, gave a powerful and, at times, moving presentation about their work to end violence to women and girls. They offer a range of free, confidential and non judgemental services to provide the only wrap around care in the North East to include housing, counselling, safe houses, women’s aid and rape crisis centre.
Members were concerned to learn there is no legal definition of domestic violence meaning there are, at present, no associated criminal offences meaning reliance must be placed on other law. Richinda told us 2 women a week are killed by their current or a former partner and there are around 1.3m female victims of domestic violence a year in the UK. Some 130,000 children live in households where there is a high risk of domestic abuse and domestic violence accounts for 16% of all violent crime. It is more difficult for older women to seek support which led Eva to start their 45+ project, the first and only safe house solely for older women in the UK. This safe house was full within a week of opening its doors.
The club presented Richinda with a collection of underwear, toiletries and nightwear for women seeking sanctuary with Eva.
Going for Gold
Faye Doorbar and Sue Young assisted by Emily, Sue’s granddaughter, plant a standard rose tree sponsored by SI Richmond and Dales as the club’s contribution to Richmond’s entry in Britain in Bloom. A silver winner last year, the town is hoping to achieve gold in 2019 when the judging takes place in early July. The rose variety, Caring for You, is especially apt for the Soroptimists and chimes with our principles to inspire action, create healthy environments and a sustainable future for women and girls.
May Charity Concert
These lovely ladies are members of the Brompton on Swale Ladies Choir who performed ‘Songs from the Shows’ after SI Richmond and Dales stepped in at the last minute to host their Spring concert after the previous organisers had to withdraw. The choir’s rehearsals started in January and cancellation would be a disappointment after all their hard work. Their repertoire included old favourites such as Oklahoma as well as more modern pieces from Mamma Mia. A bottle tombola and raffle together with the modest entry fee raised nearly £400 for charity including the Fawcett Society Equal Pay Fund established with
Caroline Gracie’s back pay from the BBC after she successfully won her case. £200 will enable a woman to have her case considered in depth by an appropriate lawyer. Our Friendship Link in SI Harare will also benefit from the monies raised.
Charity Donation
Immediate Past President Sue Eastham handing over the final cheque to Debbie Barker CEO of the Rape Crisis centre (RSACC) from our fundraising last year. Debbie was absolutely thrilled with our contributions to the centre , and expressed grateful thanks to all members.
