Six members of SI Stockport were delighted to attend the Guernsey club’s Friendship Weekend and renew this very active friendship link. Five members are shown here in front of the Turkey Oak that we planted together three years ago to commemorate the evacuation of Guernsey women and children to Stockport during World War 2. The tree is growing well despite the 8ft of snow that hit Guernsey in March this year. The Guernsey club have have had a stylish granite and brass plaque installed at the foot of the tree. The photograph shows it reflecting the beautiful flowers with which the tree is surrounded. Club members enjoyed three days of hospitality and excellent food and were able to renew old acquaintances. We also presented the club with 50 little dresses made by Stockport members which will be sent to Africa for little girls there who

On 18th May Stockport Club again held it’s annual plant sale. This year we were not so blessed with the weather but keen gardeners nevertheless showed up to purchase bedding plants and raise a tidy sum for charity. Tea and cakes were served in Ruth’s back garden and the phlegmatic British spirit saw us through!

Members of Stockport Club have been working with Guernsey Club (one of our friendship links) to make little dresses for African girls, based on the “pillowcase” dress design. We hope to take 50 dresses with us to Guernsey’s friendship weekend in the summer.  

On March 24th Stockport club was delighted to host a lunch for our own Liz McConnell, currently President of South Lancs Region. Around 80 Soroptimists and guests enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Alma Lodge Hotel and a cheque for £6000 was presented to Professor Howell of Breakthrough Breast Cancer for their research at the Christie Hospital. Professor Howell and his wife were our guests for the evening.            

Stockport Club was delighted to host the South Lancs Regional Burns Night at the Alma Lodge on 19th January. Despite the snowy weather around 100 guests from all over the region attended and were entertained by the Regional President, Liz McConnell and her husband, Eric’s, very special type of Burns supper. This year it was the ladies’ revenge with several of the roles traditionally undertaken by men falling to the female of the species. We were also royally entertained by the pipes and drums of the Scots Guards Association, an incredibly talented group of musicians.  

Several members of SI Stockport went to Belfast for the annual Federation Conference, 25th to 27th October. Our very own Liz was installed as Regional President for the South Lancs region for the forthcoming year. We enjoyed two days of stimulating speakers on the organisation’s theme of “Educate, Enable, Empower” and were treated to a “Taste of Ireland” on the Friday evening and a fascinating tour of the Titanic centre. The incoming Regional Presidents were installed in the building’s function room, walking down the replica of the Titanic’s iconic staircase to receive their insignia. This was followed by a drinks reception and entertainment in the atrium.

Stockport club held its 74th annual charter dinner on 6th October. Madam President, Sue Wagstaff, welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress of Stockport, the Regional President, Denise Baldwin and members and guests from several other clubs including Bournemouth. We all enjoyed a delicious meal at the Alma Lodge Hotel and were brilliantly entertained by Simeon Wood, playing flutes, pan pipes and tin whistle (not all at once!) and interspersing the music with musical anecdotes.

On 2nd September members tucked into burgers and all the trimmings at the (end of) summer barbecue and raised £240 for club funds. The unpromising weather at the start of the day improved to bright sunshine by the time guests were gathering.

On August 18th members enjoyed an evening of delicious Greek food at Jenny’s home. The weather stayed fine and we raised £270 for the charities.

Club members enjoyed a celebratory buffet meal at the Alma Lodge in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Members with long memories who had seen aspects of the Coronation shared their recollections of the day and IPP Myra read out a poem.