Jill Spensley is still busy knitting Twiddlemuffs for local Nursing Homes and Charities, and would love to keep going with your support of wool supplies. Please look out for useful bits and pieces, buttons, ribbons and of course the essential yarn in any variety for this very worthy cause.
Valerie’s granddaughters meet HRH Countess of Wessex Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex has visited the Anthony Nolan Cell Therapy Centre in Nottingham. Her Royal Highness visited the blood cancer charity’s centre, on the campus of Nottingham Trent University, on July 2. After meeting various dignatories Her Royal Highness had the opportunity to meet other members of Anthony Nolan staff, and to find out more about the centre’s work, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace. The Countess of Wessex met patients and families who have benefited from cord blood. Sorrel Mason, 10, from Suffolk, who had a stem cell transplant in 2007 using stem cells from umbilical cords donated in Japan, also met the Countess during her visit along with her younger sister Daisy. Sorrel presented Her Royal Highness with a posy and assisted her unveiling a plaque commemorating her visit.
President Betty had the wonderful idea of a visit to RHS Harlow Carr on 27th July. We were welcomed by Gill Owen, the Education and Learning Manager at RHS Harlow Carr who explained very enthusiastically her role within the organisation, and the aims and objectives of the RHS. This was followed by a lovely sandwich lunch and then there was time to wander and explore at our leisure. The day had dawned dry to begin with, but eventually the forecast rain caught up with us and the stalwarts on the guided walk became a little bedraggled.
JUNE SPEAKER MEETING A GREAT SUCCESS Despite the meeting not being well attended, those who were there had a most enjoyable evening supported by members from SI Keighley, when Julie Tweedale from Freedom Personal Safety conducted a workshop to demonstrate how to stay safe. She guided us through tips for our self defence and combating street harassment. Julie made a serious topic into a really fun evening, and now Skipton Soroptimists are a real force to be reckoned with should anyone cross the line! Julie guided us through tips for our self defence and combating street harassment. Julie made a serious topic into a really fun evening, and now Skipton Soroptimists are a real force to be reckoned with should anyone cross the line!
Presentation of Long Service Certificates Following the AGM and Change of Insignia, President Betty had the pleasant duty of awarding Long Service Certificates to 17 of our members totalling 620 years which must be a record in any one Club!
Debbie Purdy It is with great sadness that the Right-to-die campaigner Debbie Purdy has passed away at the Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford on 23 December 2014 where she had spend the last year. She was 51 years old. Members and visitors will recall her inspirational talk to us in the Clubroom during President Wendy’s year. One brave lady R.I.P
Members of Soroptimist International of Skipton-in-Craven had their awareness raised about the good work by Volunteers at Skipton’s Food Bank at their meeting on 27th April. Lucy Irvine explained that the Skipton Food Bank was started initially by a Prayer Group at Skipton Baptist Church in December 2010, when it was felt there was a need for a Christmas Hampers to be distributed to vulnerable people in and around the town. The Baptist Church also felt there was a need to repeat this at Easter 2011. By 2012 over 100 Hampers has been supplied, and by 2013 this had grown to 300, all done by Church volunteers alone. The Food Bank was formalised in 2014, and spread over Craven with the support of Craven District Council providing a Grant to finance a part-time Manager. The Food Bank has had a lot of support
PRESENTATION OF LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES One of the first duties of incoming President Betty Mendoza following the Annual General Meeting of Skipton Soroptimist International of Skipton in Craven was the presentation of Long Service Certificates to seventeen members which collectively totalled an amazing 620 years of service within the community which has been dispensed with much fun, laughter and enduring friendship down the years!! Left to right, Back row: Rosalie Holroyd (25 years); Diana Chambers (25 years); Sheila Tattersall (25 years) Middle Row: Clare Shepherd (35 years); Ruth Spencer (30 years); Phyllis Chalmers (45 years); Jill Spensley (35 years); Margaret Cressey (30 years) Front Row: Shirley Mason (40 years); Jean Christies (45 years); Sheila Young (55 years); and Audrey Swale (55 years); Absent from photograph: Joanna Clarke (25 years); Susan Hill (30 years); Valerie Ludlam (35 years); Jean Myers (45 years); Adele Oliver
The Soup, Sandwiches and Mince Pie Team came together again in December to raise funds for the Plant and Flower Project at Airedale Hospital. We were extremely grateful for the additional help of Valerie and Sheila and the generosity of members, friends and family. The chocolate “Christmas Pudding” kindly donated by Elizabeth Ewan had a successful journey and was initially raffled within the club and won by Maureen who donated it to the Chocolate Tombola. The Pud wasn’t won on the day despite great efforts by Harrison and Taylor and was then donated to the Childrens Ward at Airedale. They also raffled it for funds for their ward and finally went to a good home. The Puds journey therefore raised funds for the Presidents Charity, The Plant and Flower Project and the Airedale Childrens Ward – not a bad result. Thank you Elizabeth.
Our next fund-raising event is a concert by Skipton Brass. This takes place on SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY 2015 at St. Andrew’s Church, Newmarket Street, Skipton, at 7pm. Tickets cost £8.00 (includes refreshments) and are available from Skipton Tourist Information Centre, from club members or from members of Skipton Brass. Proceeds from the concert will be divided between the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Skipton Brass.
