Club Trip to Jodrell Bank 2023 The huge Lovell Telescope has been a much-loved fixture of the Cheshire countryside since 1957. We visited as a club in the summer of 2000, and remembered a wonderful planetarium presentation but a rather basic visitor centre. The trees of the surrounding arboretum were still immature then too. So in 2023 we thought it was high time we went to Jodrell Bank again and we made it our summer outing for this year. The visitor Centre is now in several buildings and the museum display is amazing, going through the history of the site and how important it was during the Cold War - it was actually neutral, and did work for and received scientists from both Western governments and the Soviet Union. It was thus a very important bridge in keeping communications open between the two sides. There

Fairtrade and Local Produce – From Farm to Table The first event in our new club year 2023/24 was our Fairtrade picnic at the Arts Centre in Castle Park, Frodsham. This was a super event enjoyed by all who attended. All members were asked to bring a ‘Picnic Tea’ which included Fairtrade and local produce, and many interesting items were used – Fairtrade quinoa, almonds and dried fruit along with much loved favourite bananas and chocolate. Thanks to Lesley for organising. We were able to raise  funds for Transform Trade, a Fairtrade organisation which partners with people who are fighting for their communities and finding better ways to trade. Sue prepared a presentation showing the work of 7 women Fairtrade Farmers in Africa, Asia and South America, pen portraits telling of their work and successes. Members took the parts of these Farmers and told their stories

Cheers to us! It may only be tea, but we can still toast our club at the end of a particularly good year. Winning an award, a poster selected for the Dublin Convention and other projects we are proud of left us with a ‘feel good factor’ at our AGM. Necessary officers in place, members committed to Programme Action projects and a programme of fundraising and social event planned – bring on the new club year!

Happy 75th Birthday to our club On Sunday 26th March club members family and friends gathered together to celebrate 75 years of Soroptimist International Runcorn/Frodsham and District. We received messages of Congratulations from across all 5 Soroptimist Federations - thank you so much for your support. We had a lovely celebration lunch and drank a toast to ourselves, particularly to our longest serving member Edwina in the centre of the photo. We have put together this image of all current members of our club and an image of the clubs first Charter dinner in 1948

A Fabulous 'Good Fun' Evening Last night 15th February at Runcorn Golf Cub, the club held our first fund raiser of the year - a fabulous quiz to raise funds for our local Hospice 'Halton Haven' It was a really successful evening and we made over £500 for our charity. Huge thanks to Quiz master Simon Chesterson for a "Good Fun Quiz' with video and audio clips - a great night was had by all. Thanks to our member Karen Webb and her team for organising this event.

Fantastic News Thank you to SIGBI – #Soroptimist Runcorn Frodsham & District members are thrilled to win this award with our project: “100 Mastectomy Cushions for 100 years Celebrating Soroptimist Centenary 1921/2021” The club challenged itself to make 100 mastectomy cushions to celebrate 100 years. The project has been running for 8 years and involves every member of our club. The cushions are donated to Halton Hospital Runcorn and the Countess of Chester Hospitals, Chester. Please read more

“Patches of Peace” for Soroptimists San Fernando This year SI San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago, celebrates their 60th anniversary of charter. The theme for the year is 'Celebrating the Past; Pursuing a Peaceful Future for Women and Girls'. Soroptimists Runcorn Frodsham & District join them in celebrating this milestone by contributing our commemorative "Patch of Peace' created by Pat Mercer for their Patchwork Sheet which will be made of patches of fabric from clubs around the Federation.

Autumn Walk Thank you Lesley Corfield for organising a very pleasant walk around Delamere lake. We started in in lovely Autumn sunshine and ended with a thundery sharp shower. A lovely lazy lunch at Delamere Station Café rounded off our walk and made up for getting wet. Great to spend time catching up with each other and enjoying the fresh air and emerging Autumn colours #Soroptimist #friendship #environment

Chatsworth House - Christmas Markets Club Members join members of Region clubs for a fabulous day out at the Christmas Markets at Chatsworth House. Chatsworth is home to the Devonshire family, and has been passed down through 16 generations. The 1,000-acre park on the banks of the River Derwent was chiefly designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the 1760s. The elegant interior is decked out for Christmas, with the Christmas Markets outside ready to explore. Please view th gallery of photos below - thanks to Larraine for sending memories of this special day out. Thank you Chatsworth for a wonderful day, and thank you Region President Susan Haywood  for organising the event

International Eisteddfod 2022 – Thursday 7th July until Sunday 10th July Each year Soroptimists from Clubs throughout the Region enjoy running the Friendship and Information Centre at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. This year is the 75th Anniversary of the Eisteddfod which dates back to 1947, when the first event was held in this little Welsh town.  The concept was the promotion of peace following the second World War.  Today musicians and dancers come to Llangollen from all over the world to participate in the various competitions.   The Region sponsors a Young peoples Choir each year, this year – The Choir of E.Mikeladze Central Music School’ from Georgia.  We were all absolutely delighted when “Our Choir” came third, they were wonderful and received a fabulous adjudication”. Runcorn/Frodsham members at the Soroptimist Tent Four members from the club manned the tent on DAY 2. Report written by