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February Zoom Meeting

February Zoom Meeting

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Monthly Meeting Speaker SI Richmond and Dales met for its monthly Zoom Meeting on 21st February. We were joined by Andy Wilson of  Yorkshire Cancer Research  who gave us a fascinating talk on the origins, history and current work in Cancer Research.  Yorkshire Cancer Research began with a campaign to promote improved cancer surgery techniques in the 19th Century, and in the 20th century pioneered two ground-breaking drugs, the profits from which continue to support their current work.  Their focus is now on improving cancer care in Yorkshire, with more pioneering work in developing and running mobile diagnostic, testing and advice services across a range of common cancers, as well as clinical research.   For example, there is an exceptionally high incidence of lung cancer in parts of Yorkshire.  Old industrial urban areas of deprivation are sadly associated with higher incidence of smoking – and hence

January Meeting via Zoom

January Meeting via Zoom

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Just the Job Talk At our recent January Meeting via Zoom, we were pleased to welcome representatives of Just The Job, the local charity helping educationally challenged people into work in horticulture. They shared pictures of their work via Zoom, and talked about the plans they are hoping to progress for new purpose built environmentally friendly premises, ‘The Big Green Build’, on land close to their current centre of operations in a unit on the Gallowfields Industrial Estate.  They have been given land on a long lease at a peppercorn rent by the Zetland Estate for their innovative new timber-built premises.     Richmond 950 Just beyond this is the area set aside for the planting of a new community woodland.  Just The Job will be planting  The Rufus Wood (as it will be known) as part of Richmond 950.  This project celebrates 950 years

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas

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  SI Richmond & Dales held their December “Zoom Get-Together” this week, in place of our usual Christmas dinner.  We raised a glass and gave a round of applause for the presentation of long service awards to a number of our members: 2 for 20 years, 1 for 25 years, 1 for 30 years, and 2 for 35 years.  Congratulations to all, and thank you for your exemplary service to Soroptimism.  We shared cards received from our Swiss Friendship link, and one of our charities, and enjoyed a quiz presented by our joint presidents, Faye Doorbar and Jane Priestley.  Fittingly, the winner of the quiz was one of our longest long service award winners. For anyone who wishes to try it, here is the Quiz (the answers are below).  Faye and Jane have also shared the e-Christmas card which we are sending to our Regional

IDAS and 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence

IDAS and 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence

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IDAS Launches Website for UN Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women & Girls IDAS is the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, and is supported by Soroptimist Clubs in the Yorkshire Region.  We are publicising the IDAS website as part of our awareness raising for the SIGBI 16 Days of Activism against Gender based Violence taking place between 25 November and 10 December.  Over the next 16 days, this special IDAS website will focus on 16 different types of abuse that are experienced by women and girls across the UK.  It tell the stories of survivors, many of whom have been supported by IDAS, shining a light on the different types of abuse and violence.  

November Monthly Meeting

November Monthly Meeting

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SI Richmond & Dales held it’s November monthly meeting via Zoom. Orange for Activism: Members wore orange for a virtual photo opportunity. This was to highlight the SIGBI 16 Days of Activism against Gender based Violence taking place between 25 November and 10 December. The theme for 2020 is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”.  We have copies of a poster which will be going up in libraries around the area, and in the Town Hall to raise awareness.             Tree Planting:   The trees which we ordered for the SI Centenary tree-planting project have arrived.  More than 200 small saplings have been planted out at the Just the Job site. They will being grown on for planting in the new woodland being created in Richmond in 2021 for “Richmond 950”.  The club is combining the SI Centenary celebration with

SIGBI Patron’s Working Party

SIGBI Patron’s Working Party

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One of our members, Sue Young, has been part of a SIGBI Patron’s Working Party this year.  Sue was responsible for approaching Lady Hale to be our Club Patron, so was invited to help the SIGBI group looking at how to best invite patrons to our organisation.  The working party recently concluded it’s research, and Sue has received a lovely “thank you” present and note from the SIGBI President, Isobel Smith. The message reads: “I hope you enjoy these chocolates. It is a small token to recognised and thank you for the huge part you have played in moving our organisation forard. Thank you all you have – and are – contributing. It is so values and appreciated. Best wishes and Thank you. Isobel Smith SIGBI President 2019-20”

Sudden death of Valued Member, Hilary Ibbotson

Sudden death of Valued Member, Hilary Ibbotson

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S I Richmond and Dales are very sad to announce that long serving (35years) member Hilary Ibbotson died suddenly on October 16th. Hilary served as Secretary more than once, Minute Secretary, Programme Action Convenor, member of the Finance Committee and Regional Council Representative. She was club president in 1993 to 1994. Hilary had a warm, cheerful, personality.  Always optimistic, which stood her in good stead during lock-down when she was shielded. She was chatty, friendly, welcoming and encouraging to new members. A very tall lady, certainly the tallest member of our club and probably among Yorkshire members, she was recently heard bemoaning the fact that “Long Tall Sally “ had gone out of business. Hilary was a past Mayor of Richmond.  She served on the town council for many years, a great community servant. She helped to set up the local Talking Newspaper and read

Open Garden Afternoon

Open Garden Afternoon

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On 30th August, SI Richmond & Dales provided refreshments for the Open Garden Afternoon hosted by Marcia and Dennis McLuckie at their beautiful walled garden in Richmond.  This event was in aid of one of our Presidents’ charities, Just The Job. The amount raised from our sales of refreshments and the raffle of two food hampers was a fabulous £401.10.  A big thank you to our cake bakers and helpers on the day and those who donated to the raffle hampers.   It was busy but enjoyable and great to be out doing things in the community again. The entry money to the garden was about £2000, with just over 200 visitors coming to explore this lovely English country garden. Steve Biggs also sold plants from Just the Job plant nursery.  

The Curtilage – Richmond Market Place

The Curtilage – Richmond Market Place

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On Saturday 15 August, members of SI Richmond & Dales spent the morning on The Curtilage in Richmond on Saturday morning to raise awareness of one of the charities they are supporting this year, Just the Job Environmental Enterprise as well as the work of Soroptimists generally. The Curtilage is an area of the historic Richmond Market Place. Originally the Norman Castle bailey, it was granted to the town for a market place in the 13th century.  The Curtilage is an area on which the Town Council permits non-profit organisations to set out their information stalls beside the Saturday Market. Just the Job is an inventive local charity and social enterprise supporting adults with a wide range of abilities in practical, work orientated therapeutic activities. Steve Biggs, their General Manager, set up a Pole Lathe from their workshop which team workers use as therapy and

Hats from Recycled Materials

Hats from Recycled Materials

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A group of members met together to photograph their efforts in making hats from recycled materials – an initiative from our Yorkshire Regional President as part of her “Not written off” project.  Photographs have been sent to Region to be included in a press campaign to mark Yorkshire Day. We were particularly impressed with Jan’s Yorkshire hat, complete with Yorkshire Pudding!