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July Monthly Meeting

July Monthly Meeting

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At our July Monthly Meeting we had Peter Russell, Education Officer of the Richmond and District Bee Keeper’s Association (RDBKA) as our speaker. Peter gave us a very entertaining talk, and a fascinating insight into the world of bees and beekeeping. We learned how the original Old British Bee became extinct a century ago as a result of a virus and how the species we have now were imported from elsewhere to become established in the UK. As an organisation working to empower women and girls and give them a stronger voice in all communities globally, it was especially gratifying to hear how a bee colony functions and thrives as a female dominated society! Crucially, the honey bee is the only pollinator available in the early spring to pollinate early crops and as such is essential to our food production. New Member We had a

Presentation to The Friends of Garget-Walker House

Presentation to The Friends of Garget-Walker House

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On Tuesday two of our members visited Garget-Walker House Dementa Care Centre in Richmond for the presentation to The Friends of Garget-Walker House of a Bistro Table and Chairs set.  This was assembled and placed in the garden of the day care centre for the use of people suffering from Dementia.  The present was warmly received by the members of The Friends charity, which raises money to support the work of the Dementia Day Care Centre.

SI Yorkshire Region Weekend

SI Yorkshire Region Weekend

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Several members of SI Richmond and Dales took part in the SI Yorkshire Region Weekend Away at The Jonas Centre last weekend. About 40 Soroptimists from all over the Yorkshire Region attended, most staying in the Jonas Centre lodge accommodation.  As we lived so close, our members were “day only” attendees.  It was an excellent opportunity to get to know members of other clubs, and renew contact with those we have not seen for a long time, due to the intervention of Covid restricting activities.  A relaxing change from our usual “business meetings”. There was plenty time to chat or explore the Jonas Centre grounds, and share convivial meals together.  President Lindsay had also organised a number of workshops which were well supported, including guidance on usuing Social Media for publicity, jewellery making, felting and Zentangle mindful drawing.  Everyone also took a turn at preparing

Tea Dance to be held in Richmond Town Hall

Tea Dance to be held in Richmond Town Hall

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We will be serving refreshments and running a raffle at a Tea Dance to be held in Richmond Town Hall on September 25th.  This is the first of what is hoped to be a number of these events, being run by Adrian Bramley and his orchestra.  The raffle profits and a share of the ticket money will be donated to one of our current charities.  If you fancy taking to the floor for a whirl, the details and tickets are available on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tea-dance-adrian-bramley-tea-dance-orchestra-tickets-359667985627

Orange the World

Orange the World

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Members and friends of SI Richmond & Dales highlighted the Orange the World Campaign against violence against women this week.  They wore their Orange ribbons to highlight the campaign when they attended the Queen’s Jubilee Gala Dinner in Richmond.  This month the focus of the SI Yorkshire Orange the World campaign is elder abuse.

Richmond is now a ‘Toilet Twinned Town’

Richmond is now a ‘Toilet Twinned Town’

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We are delighted to report that SI R&D has completed it’s Toilet Twinning campaign.  We have now organised 20 toilet twins across all the categories of organisations required by the Toilet Twinning charity.  They have duly confirmed that Richmond is now a ‘Toilet Twinned Town’.   Catterick, Richmond and Colburn Community Library Trust (CRACCL) has agreed to display the official certificate on our behalf in Richmond Library.   Jenny Cathcart, who led the project, has presented the certificate to CRACCL Trustee Judith Clark and Chair Sue Young. This has been a long campaign which we had to put on hold during the pandemic.  We are very pleased with this achievement, which has enabled twenty communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America to receive their first proper toilet facilities.  This is a significant contribution to health and safety in these communities.  

June Monthly Meeting

June Monthly Meeting

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Talk by Hannah Russell at June Monthly Meeting SI Richmond and Dales held their June monthly meeting on 16th June.  We were treated to a fascinating talk by local children’s author Hannah Russell.  Hannah told us how her career began and grew.  She started writing at the age of 18 after a riding accident caused a spinal injury, forcing her to stop horse-riding and give up her ambitions to be a riding instructor.  At about the same time, she acquired Little Alf, a Shetland pony who suffers from dwarfism, so is only 28″ at the shoulder.   He had been rejected by his fellow Shetlands, and needed a lot of care and attention.  She started reading to him, and telling him stories – which became her first books.  Alf  makes up in character what he lacks in size, so she has plenty of material. Her books

Thornton Hall

Thornton Hall

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A group of our members met recently for a stroll through the beautiful flower gardens at Thornton Hall, near Darlington.  Thornton Hall was built around 1550 by Ralph Tailbois, and is one of the oldest buildings in Borough of Darlington.  The gardens have been designed and developed by the current owners of the Hall since they arrived in 1989.  They started with bare grazing paddocks and have produced a wonderful display of beds full of flowers and shrubs.  Only open for a few days each year, a visit here is a real treat.  And so was the Afternoon Tea: delicious!

Richmond Town Mayor-Making

Richmond Town Mayor-Making

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Jane Beeton and Margaret Clayson represented SI Richmond and Dales at the recent inauguration of the new Richmond Town Mayor, Councillor Ann Brewer. This is a traditional ceremony, with regalia dating back to 1668.      In addition to the Town Councillors, the ceremony is attended by representatives of a wide range of town organisations, to celebrate the appointment of the new Mayor following May’s local elections. Interestingly one of the new Mayor’s three nominated charities for the year ties in with ours, being Garget Walker House.  She is also the Town Council representative for Dementia Awareness. The other charities are developing disabled access at St Mary’s Church and the Richmond Meet.

May Meeting

May Meeting

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SI Richmond and Dales held its May meeting on Thursday 19th May.  We welcomed as speaker Lieutenant-Colonel Jim Turner, Commander of Catterick Garrison, Richmond’s near neighbour. He gave an very entertaining and informative talk on the history and structure of the Garrison, and his role in command.  Very wide-ranging it is, too. We also welcomed a new member, and guest Leslie Richardson, Head of 6th Form at Richmond School.  She spoke briefly to mark 10 years of our collaboration with the school in our ‘Sharing our Skills’ Project.  Leslie commended us for the considerable achievements of the project.  It has introduced students to meetings and organisation skills, and raised their awareness of issues around the world.  They have responded with fundraising to support our charities and organise their own groups. Our Programme Convenor, Jenny Cathcart, was also able to report that we will shortly have