Stockport made a habit of getting wet this year. The barbecue in July and Sue’s lunch in August were both well attended and raised considerable sums of money for our charities but were both held in monsoon conditions. A little bit of weather was never going to be enough to deter a bunch of committed Soroptimists, however.  

Club members and assorted friends have knitted over 1000 baby hats to be taken out to Afghanistan by a doctor friend of one member. She alerted us to the need for warm headwear for premature babies. The poorest mothers can usually find something to wrap a baby in but don’t always have hats available.

On January 29th the club hosted a successful Burns Night celebration. Eric and Liz McConnell took charge of the proceedings and all the traditional events to celebrate the great Robbie Burns were taken with gusto, including the Address to the Haggis, the toast to the Lassies and the magnificent Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards Association. The event raised nearly £1000 for the Beechwood Butterfly Appeal and was attended by members, guests and other club members, including Regional President Jenny Stanistreet.  

Seven members of Stockport club travelled to Guernsey to join the Guernsey club members and the island’s Deputy Bailiff, Richard Collas, on March 2nd, in planting a tree to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the evacuation of women and children from Guernsey to Stockport just prior to to German invasion during the Second World War. The evacuation had already been commemorateed in Stockport last year. A small crowd turned up to watch and the event was well reported in the local press and radio. We had an enjoyable few days there and were well looked after by Guernsey club members. The two clubs hope to work together on joint projects in the future. That evening we joined Guernsey club as some of the 177 attendees at a dinner to celebrate International Womens Day. The speaker was Baroness Jill Pitkeathley and the Deputy Bailiff attended as

The Club held the 72nd Annual Dinner at the Alma Lodge Hotel in Stockport on 2nd October. The Mayor, Councillor Hazel Lees, and her husband attended as did Regional President Srya Kulupani. The toast to the Borough was given by Past President Joy Pilkington who mentioned forthcoming celebrations of the link with Guernsey when many children were evacuated to Stockport just before Guersney was occupied during the last war. After the toast to the Borough  President Marilyn proposed a toast to SI Guernsey. The evening ended with a lively performance from students and staff of Poynton High School and Performing Arts College.

The club hosted a very successful craft fair at Woodley Civic Centre on October 9th. The hall was filled with local craftspeople and a few stalls run by club members. A steady stream of buyers passed through and well over £400 was raised for our charities.

Sue Wynroe held her annual lunch to raise funds for club charities and the Robin Baker orphanage in particular. The theme was all things American in honour of their Independence Day and several guests dressed accordingly. The event raised well over £450.