Members of Soroptimist International Southport gathered in Victoria Park to plant trees, as part of the SI centenary project. The first action taken by Soroptimists in 1921 was to save tree and 100 years later, we are ‘Planting Trees for a Brilliant Future’. As part of the Woodland Trust’s reforestation project – ‘A TREE TODAY, A FOREST TOMORROW’ – Alan Adams, the General Manager of Southport Flower Show and the Victoria Park Management Company, secured a supply of saplings which he offered to schools, community groups and local organisations for planting in Victoria Park. Every tree planted will contribute to the global reforestation efforts, restoring lost forests, repairing damaged ecosystems and mitigating climate changes. Alan generously provided the saplings – and some assistance from Victoria Park volunteer Simon Moorhouse. The Soroptimists planted 60 crab-apple saplings from the ‘Wild Wood’ mixture – which can tolerate exposed

  President Rosemary Moore told the club of a ‘Market Trail’ in Southport  – basically a roving car boot sale around the town, as advertised on Facebook. As we had gathered items from a variety of sources before and during lockdown, we decided to put some tables out in the garden of Baverstock House, where our clubroom is located, and await the hordes of buyers!! Whilst we had some visitors, we would have appreciated more. We did, however, raise some much-needed funds for the club’s charity and Programme Action accounts, as well as for the Mayor of Sefton’s Charity. It also proved to be a wonderful impromptu opportunity for club members to meet for the first time in 14 months – outdoors and in a Covid-safe environment. We all had a lovely time!  

At our meeting in March, we were delighted to welcome Chris Williams who introduced us to Blood Bikes, which in our local area covers Lancashire and the Lakes.               The service started in May 2012 and comprises a team of volunteers who provide transportation of urgent and emergency items for the NHS Hospitals in the area. These items include blood, pathology samples, donor breast milk, patient records, medical equipment – in fact anything that can be carried by motorcycle. Chris, who is one of the Blood Bikers, told us the service is available all through the night, and 24 hours per day at weekends and Bank Holidays. They use their own bikes or specially liveried bikes (which have red markings, to distinguish them from the police (blue markings) or paramedics (green markings). The 400 riders over Lancashire and the

We could not have our usual Christmas celebrations for obvious reasons, so instead, President Rosemary organised a ‘Mince Pie and Tipple’ Zoom party.  We had a lovely evening, discussing everyone’s plan for festive season – and then the revised plans after the Government’s pre-Christmas rule changes.  Joss Glanvill devised a seasonal quiz, with eclectic questions to suit everyone. It was a great evening to share conversation and friendship, with a lot of fun and laughter – and a few silly hats and headgear!  

In early October, SI Southport traditionally celebrates Friendship Night, where we meet together to celebrate our friendship links with the lighting of candles and an evening of fun and good food. Of course, 2020 was different. This year our ‘Friendship night of SI Southport’ was held virtually. President Rosemary welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced all our members and guests – which this year included representatives from ALL of our friendship links. We were also delighted to be joined by SIGBI Friendship Link Co-ordinator, Bhaswati Biswas. The current Covid-19 situation has affected every corner of the world, but nevertheless, Soroptimist clubs were actively supporting, helping and driving projects to ease the trauma. Each of our guests gave a summary of their clubs and their projects and following each presentation, the friendship link correspondent lit a candle WITH our link clubs, many of whom lit their

Each year SI Southport lays a wreath at the Cenotaph in Southport on Remembrance Sunday to remember those who had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country. Because of the Covid rules, there was no ceremony or communal prayers, but President Rosemary Moore joined with Presidents of other service organisations in the town to lay our wreath. In the words of the poem ‘For the Fallen’ by Robert Binyon: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them  

Since the lockdown, SI Southport members have been keeping in touch using the wonders of Zoom. In ‘real life’, our club meets twice monthly so we decided to retain this structure and have one meeting as a Club Meeting, where we discuss SI activities, and the second as a more social event. President Rosemary Moore suggested the theme of ‘Fun with Hats’ for the May social meeting. Members were asked to wear a hat that had some significance and to tell the tale of the hat. As the photo shows, there was a great response. Ann Bryan (top row on the left) – the picture is bit dark as Ann was sitting outside in the sun!) told us about her hat – she said she has difficulty finding a hat that fits, until she found the modest sunhat she is wearing. She bought in La

Members of the Southport Club, together with friends and relatives, have been busy with their knitting needles. Joss Glanville and Heather Shulver led the production of ‘twiddle muffs’. These are like ordinary muffs but specifically for people whose hands are relatively inactive. They have an inner layer for warmth but also have attachments such as buttons that can be twiddled to help occupy restless fingers. The items were sold at the Regional Meeting and also at the recent Christmas Fair and proceeds will be donated to local charities and President Jean’s charity, Alzheimers Society. Heather has also busy with knitting tiny baby clothes for the Special Care Baby Unit at the Southport & Ormskirk Hospital. Just a sample of the collection is shown. Keep knitting, ladies!