We were delighted to welcome two new members to SI Southport. Susan Fryer contacted the club during lockdown and, as soon as we were able to meet in person, she joined us at a couple of our meetings. Bernie Reynolds visited our ‘Market Trail’ in June 2021 and chatted with members about the aims and objects of Soroptimism. She decided that our aims and hers were closely aligned. Susan and Bernie have already proved to be enthusiastic members of the club and have been active participants in our speaker and club meetings since they joined. We warmly welcome them to Soroptimist International and look forward to a long and happy association. The photo shows President Carol Cookson presenting Bernie with her badge (unfortunately Susan was not able to attend the meeting).

At our first speaker meeting of 2022, we welcomed Jill Newsham who gave us a fascinating presentation on three notable department stores – Boothroyds, Broadbents and Bobbies (later Debenhams). With some amazing photos, Jill described the fascinating history of the stores and how the vision of their founders became reality – sometimes changing their names along the way, as partnerships were made and dissolved and properties were sold. The stores became elegant shopping venues and meeting places. Boothroyds was founded by Boothroyd and Jolly and Broadbents by Stinson-Broadbent. The Broadbents site was subsequently sold to Owen-Owen and then to BHS for £500,000. The north end of Lord Street developed slightly later for retail. In 1920, Bobby’s of Margate opened a store on Lord Street, this being their most northerly site. It was subsequently sold to Debenhams, trading as Marshall & Snelgrove, a family brand with

After a break in 2020 (for obvious reasons) SI Southport held their annual Christmas Fair at the end of November in All Saints Church Hall. The photos show some of the wonderful stalls. These included hand made craft items, a tombola, raffles for a Christmas hamper and a delicious Christmas cake made by one of our members and the ubiquitous cake stall. Over £700 was raised for our Charity Fund, from which we distribute donations to local charities in Southport. Many thanks to all our members, friends and guests for their support, which was greatly appreciated!

The annual Remembrance Sunday service was held on a beautiful sunny day at the Southport Cenotaph. Following a short service and ‘The Last Post’ from a Salvation Army bugler, a two-minute silence was observed by all present. Wreaths were then laid, beginning with the Mayor of Sefton’s Representative, the leader of Sefton Council, Councillor Ian Maher on behalf of the townspeople of Sefton. President Carol Cookson laid the wreath for Soroptimist International of Southport. The Presiding Minister led the act of commitment: – To commit to responsible living and faithful service – To strive for all that makes for peace – To seek to heal the wounds of war – To work for a just future for all humanity Following a blessing and the National Anthem, the contingents from the armed forces, cadets and many other groups marched down Lord Street and past the Town

At our November speaker meeting, we were delighted to welcome Keith Porter, the coxswain of the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust (SORT). The trust is an independent charity that provides a 24-hour life-saving service around the Southport coast. In words and slides, Keith explained the history of the service, which began 20 years before the RNLI was formed. In the 19th century, Southport’s coastline was one of the busiest and most dangerous in the country and many hundreds of people were rescued using oar and sail driven boats – with the crew wearing oilskins as their only protective clothing. In 1886, Southport’s lifeboats were deployed to rescue the crew of the barge ‘Mexico’ – 14 crew members from the Southport Lifeboat and all 13 crew members of the St. Annes Lifeboat lost their lives in the rescue, with only 2 survivors. This is still recorded as

As some members are still reluctant to attend meetings in person for their own health and personal reasons and some members prefer to meet in person, SI Southport is continuing with ‘hybrid’ meetings to give our members most flexibility and freedom of choice. One such meeting was our Friendship Night in October. In 2020, when lockdown precluded any gatherings, we had a wonderful Zoom meeting with all our friendship links present. This year, with more relaxed Covid security rules, Heather Shulver and her International Committee decide to revert back to the more traditional format, with a meal and a candle-lighting ceremony – but with a difference. We started the meeting with candle-lighting WITH our friendship links on Zoom, as we did in 2020. Our friendship links were in full support – when else would there be an opportunity to celebrate together? We were joined by

Members from SI Southport joined family and friends to give a fond farewell to our Honorary Member, Diana Beldam, who passed away in September at the amazing age of 104. The service, of words, music, hymns and prayers, included a lovely poem read by Diana’s great niece, India. Diana was born on 31st January 1917 and, following a career as a beautician in various parts of the country, she moved to Southport. SI Southport President, Carol Cookson, was privileged to give a tribute, extracts of which follow: ”Diana joined the Southport Soroptimist Club on the 1st April 1974 with the category of Beautician. She never took office but was very loyal in her support of the club as she attended all meetings and social events prior to the impact of Covid 19. She was never happier than when chatting to other members and welcoming new

At our September meeting, attended by members in the club room (including 2 prospective members) and on Zoom, President Rosemary Moore handed over the chain of office to President Elect Carol Cookson. Rosemary led the club for an extended period from April 2020 when the world was overcome by Covid-19 . She nevertheless maintained a busy programme of meetings and other activities, held mainly on Zoom and we had managed to raise in the region of £1000 for local, regional and international charities. President Carol has taken office a little earlier than expected and outlined her year to come, which looks exciting with plenty of social events. Carol has been the Club’s Membership Officer, working hard to recruit new members and our 2 prospective members joined the club at the meeting – we are delighted to welcome them. We had a very pleasant evening with

Like so many clubs and service organisations, SI Southport have been busy collecting empty blister pack for recycling. We heard of this initiative from SI Preston’s Facebook page – the empty blister packs are taken to a local Superdrug store, who recycle them and the money raised is donated to Marie Curie. What a great way to help the planet and help an amazing charity!

Following the gradual ‘unlocking’ of the country following the Covid restrictions earlier in the year, SI Southport members have arranged some social activities. Our local hospice, Queenscourt Hospice, is celebrating 30 years of their wonderful care and support. To mark the occasion, SI Southport acquired one of their pearl anniversary rose bushes, which we planted in the garden of Baverstock House, which houses our club room. Jean Tweddell and her Social Committee arranged an afternoon tea in July in our club room at Baverstock House. In the following month, Maureen Ballard and her Welfare Committee organised a coffee morning in her home in August. Both events were well attended by members and guests and a total of almost £500 was raised for our charity fund. Huge thanks to Carol Hill for her wonderful baking for the coffee morning and to all who provided cakes for