Afternoon Tea at the Bluebell Cafe Soroptimist members of Runcorn/Frodsham club decided for their summer outing to have Afternoon Tea at  ‘The Bluebell Café’, Barrowmore. Barrowmore is set within 84 acres of parklands and offers Parkland Walks to appreciate and enjoy This unique licensed cafe was established in 2013 as part of the Barrowmore Limited charity who support vulnerable adults. They believe in homemade food cooked fresh from quality ingredients locally sourced where possible and picked from their vegetable garden, whilst delivering a lovely experience in a wonderful setting. Members enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea, great company and beautiful surroundings. Thanks to Pat Mercer for organising the event.

Fairtrade and Local Produce – From Farm to Table The first event in our new club year 2022/23 was our Fairtrade picnic at the Arts Centre in Castle Park, Frodsham. This was a super event enjoyed by all who attended. We were really pleased to welcome Region Vice President and PA Officer Gillie O’Rourke to our club. 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. Last year we had worked on a project to improve Food Supply Chains, ensuring they were free from exploitation and trafficking – our findings encouraged us to buy Fairtrade and locally grown products. We produced a Calendar of Local and Seasonal Produce – Cheshire local produce is bountiful at the moment and we enjoyed

We had a lovely relaxed lunch to day celebrating our 74th Charter with family and friends. Huge thanks to members Karen Webb and Sandra Jones for organising the event for us.

Breaking the Bias International Women’s Day 8 March 2022  the theme was #BreakTheBias #IWD2022 A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Unlock Runcorn Members of Soroptimist Runcorn Frodsham had a great time thanks to Unlock Runcorn Supporters for the excellent talk and guided tour. Unlock Runcorn's aim is to restore and manage a fully operational link along the canal route of the"Old Line" between the Bridgewater and the Manchester Ship Canal. Using a unique combination of modern and traditional technology the link will create a 600 metre visitor attraction in the heart of Runcorn Tow.

Thank you to all who supported the Quiz Night. Heads down answering questions at our Annual Quiz Night! Huge thanks to Walter Yule for making a return visit as our Quiz Master. We had a super evening at Runcorn Golf club raising funds for local projects and charities. It was lovely to see our friends and supporters again after a two-year break.  

Region Grand Raffle Club member Karen Webb wins First Prize Club members purchased all their allotted raffle tickets for Mental Health Projects to be chosen by Region clubs. The Grand Draw took place on the conference day. There were many fabulous prizes and Runcorn/Frodsham club members took home an amazing eight prizes, including first prize, a beautiful collage won by Karen Webb.Regi

In 2021 we celebrated Soroptimist Centenary. The club challenged itself to make 100 mastectomy cushions too celebrate 100 years. The cushions were donated to Halton Hospital Runcorn and the Countess of Chester Hospitals, Chester. Women who have been through the trauma of breast surgery, both mastectomy and lumpectomy, will find comfort in the cushion.  It has a strap that can be draped over the shoulder to protect the sensitive area of the breast and under the arm. Use the pillow to: Keep the arm off the wound immediately after surgery Tuck under your arm to support you while sleeping Protect you from the pressure of a seat belt Wear under a jacket or blouse when shopping to protect against bumps from elbows and handbag If you don’t want to use it for any of the above, it makes a lovely neck pillow when you travel. 

  Runcorn and Frodsham Soroptimists have been working with Umbrella Runcorn a local group who are delivering support to Syrian refugee families living in the borough of Halton. The first thing the club did was to provide funding for the women to attend ‘Fit to Dance’ sessions in a culturally safe environment for them. The club has also helped organise informal craft sessions where the women have been given the opportunity to learn a new skill as well as engage in English conversation in an informal setting. The women asked to learn how to knit and crochet and were very quick to learn. They soon produced this colourful blanket made from their first attempts at their new-found skills. They have decided to donate the blanket to the local Nightstop centre. The Refugee families are dispersed widely across the Borough, so this craft/ activity group has