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September Meeting

September Meeting

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Our September meeting was held, as usual, at the Scotch Corner Hotel. Speaker from SIYAMS We were very pleased to welcome our fellow Yorkshire Soroptimist Pat Kilbane to speak to us about SIYAMS.  This is the Regional group “Soroptimist International Yorkshire Against Modern Slavery”, which has been campaigning for many years.  Pat gave us a history of the group, and talked about the important work it has been – and continues – to do. This talk was followed by a light hearted quiz about Soroptimism, before the business meeting began. Richmondshire School Presentation We were delighted to hear that two of our Sharing Our Skills students at Richmond School were selected to receive the “Soroptimist Cup for Making a Difference” this year.  This recognised their successful project raising fund for Family Help Darlington. President Lin was on hand to present them with their prize at

Award for our students

Award for our students

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Hannah Slater and Philippa Kind spent the spring term with the Richmond & Dales Soroptimists as part of our Sharing Our Skills project.  During this time, they engaged enthusiastically with the club and, after discussion, decided that they would like to support a local domestic abuse charity.  They settled on Family Help Darlington.  To this end they gathered their friends – male and female – and organised a walk into town in fancy dress, giving out publicity material as they went.  Despite inclement weather they raised a lot of interest and around £500 in sponsorship money for Family help Darlington.  Awareness was raised in the town and within the Sixth Form College of both the issue of domestic abuse and the support available from Family Help Darlington. As a result of these sterling efforts, Hannah and Philippa were awarded the annual “Soroptimist Cup for Making a

Coffee Morning at the Town Hall

Coffee Morning at the Town Hall

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As usual, we had no meeting in August due to summer holidays.  However, we did hold a Coffee Morning at the Town Hall.  This is one of our regular fund-raising opportunities promoted by the Town Council.  A different local organisation hires the Town Hall and kitchen facilities each Thursday morning.    These charity coffee mornings are very much a Richmond tradition. The hall is ready laid out with tables and chairs for customers, and for stalls.  Members of each organisation provide coffee or tea and biscuits for a small entry fee, with waitress service.  We hold 2 or 3 each year to raise funds for our charities, and to promote Soroptimism in the town. We always put leaflets about our work on the tables, and display our banner.  We also have a raffle and a tombola, a book stall and often a cake stall to add

July Meeting

July Meeting

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Last Thursday, members met at the Scotch Corner Hotel for our July meeting. SmartWorks Our PA Officer gave a presentation “Learn about SmartWorks“, which is one our charities for this year.  SmartWorks is a UK Charity that has helped over 35,ooo women with free career coaching, interview dressing and preparations for them to help get a job.  The charity started in North London in 2013 and has spread out across England and Scotland.  Leeds was opened in 2019.  The charity provides not only the free coaching and clothes for the interview, but they also continue the relationship with the client.  They help to provide a wardrobe for the 1st month, to get through to their first pay day. Leeds SmartWorks has over 100 referral partners in Yorkshire, including HMP Askham Grange. They have supported 888 clients in 2023/24.  Wendy showed the video story of 2

Afternoon Tea at Thornton Hall Gardens

Afternoon Tea at Thornton Hall Gardens

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Some of the members of SI Richmond and Dales met earlier this week for a social outing to local beauty spot Thornton Hall Gardens.  These gardens are entirely the work of the current owners of the hall.  Parts of the building date back to 1550. This is a renowned local “gem”.   After exploring the lovely displays of flowers and shrubs, the members had an excellent afternoon tea.  This was produced by local catering firm Davina Lovegreen Catering, who works with Thornton Hall’s owners on the limited number of days each summer that the gardens are open to the public.  The occasion also provided an opportunity to present two members with their 30 Years Service Certificates – we are very grateful for their commitment to Soroptimism over so many years.      

SI Richmond and Dales and The Richmondshire Museum

SI Richmond and Dales and The Richmondshire Museum

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On Thursday 20th June, Soroptimist International Richmond and Dales held its monthly meeting at the Richmondshire Museum.  This was in celebration of 50 years since the inception of the Museum led by members of SI Richmond and Dales.  We were joined by our guests for the evening, Regional President Susie Westwood and Regional PA Officer Linda Davies. The business meeting was followed by a fascinating talk by Museum Trustee Mike Wood about the origins of the Museum. This was followed by a “custom” tour of the museum led by 3 of the Trustees.  We were delighted to be joined by our Honorary Member Shirley Thubron, who was one of the original group of Soroptimist activists and is still a Trustee of the Museum 50 years on. In 1974, the Soroptimists of Richmond & Dales noted the sad fact that Richmond – despite its magnificent history

Meeting in May

Meeting in May

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We held our usual monthly meeting in May at the Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner.  The meeting began with short talks by two members about their lives and careers – it is always interesting to find our more about our diverse group.   One was a working class girl who succeeded in pursing a career in languages as a University academic, the other talked about her expertise as a teacher of Dance and local pioneer of Nordic Walking. The Wider Scene The focus of discussions this month was the wider Soroptimist community.  Joint President Lin attended the Yorkshire Region President’s Lunch, and we will be receiving a visit from the Region President at our next meeting.  This will be at the Richmondshire Museum, to help celebrate 50 years since it’s inception by members of Soroptimists Richmond & Dales.  There was also discussion of ideas to submit for

April and the AGM

April and the AGM

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Here is the update on our activities during April, which featured our AGM. Annual General Meeting Although much of an AGM is of a formal procedure, we began the meeting reflecting on the success of our International Women’s Day “Women of Richmond” Exhibition.  Members of the project team were invited to talk about their favourite featured lady, and why they had chosen them. Business then continued with the voting in of the new Executive Committee, and the presentation of the Presidential Chain to our joint presidents for 2024-25.  The retiring PA officer presented the end of year report.  She reflected that – as always – when reviewing our year’s activities, it is always impressive how much we have achieved.  It is also notable that this year the raising of funds for charitable work is balanced by equal effort in awareness raising on a variety of

Walk to Support Family Health Darlington

Walk to Support Family Health Darlington

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With the guidance from Richmond and Dales Soroptimists, this year’s two Sharing our Skills students are organising a fundraising and awareness event against domestic abuse. With the support of the Head of Richmond Sixth Form College, they have arrange a walk for the Sixth Form students into Richmond Market Square on Monday 22nd April 2024 at 9am. Walkers will be wearing pink clothing, as well as high heels and fun accessories = boys included!  Non-walkers can wear suitable clothing to school in support or the walkers, in return for a £1 donation. QR codes will be printed out so the general public will be able to donate and read about the cause in more depth. The event will be captured by the Richmond School photographer and will also be advertised on the Soroptimists and Richmond School websites and social media pages. The students contacted Family

Update on March

Update on March

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Here is our usual monthly update on March activities, the final month of our 2023-24 year before our AGM in April. International Women’s Day Exhibition The main programme event in March was our International Women’s Day Exhibition, which was a real success.  This has already been posted about separately, so does not require further detailed reporting.  However, it was decided at our meeting in March to build on this success by planning another Exhibition for 2025.  The working group will retain the exhibition entries as a permanent record by laminating them.  They also plan to expand the project next year to include ‘hidden women’ – those who work behind the scenes and who had not been represented this time. March Meeting Speaker Our guest speaker was Steph Pybus, who talked about “Starting a Business and Running a Family”.  Steph is the proprietor of Mini Explorers