Having just rattled off a morning of grafting with ‘FRIENDS OF BRIERDENE and several Soroptimist friends I thought I would give a quick summary of our morning. We were kitted out with huge nets to collect, by sweeping, seeds of the yellow rattle.(Rhinanthus minor).The aim was to collect 1kg of seed!  Steve Stone, Friends of Brierdene’ volunteer and organiser, was hopeful that after he sorted through our collection that we would be lucky to have collected 50 – 75g – a great start. The seeds will be sown later on in the depths of the dene and why you may ask?  To keep grass growth under control! Anyone attempting to create meadow lands in their garden will love this plant., for it’s little known practical use, for it is a “hemi-parasite” – a partial parasite – and can be used to reduce the vigour of meadow

Home made preserves and chutneys - with some ingredients from our own gardens. Artisan hand kneaded seeded cobbs. Cocktail inspired table decorations - anyone for a 'Bloody Mary'! President Anne used her knitting skills to produce butterfly brooches. Healthy house plants for sale - at our market style shop. Cheese, cheese and more cheese!

 

What wonderful weather to celebrate SI Carlisle’s 75th birthday with Soroptimists from several neighbouring clubs. A relaxed day included, of course, fantastic food at The Shepherd’s Inn followed by two interesting speakers.  President Alison Jary proudly introduced the celebrations by saying that their aims today are the same as in 1941 to Educate, Empower & Enable women and young girls. Starting with working with wounded soldiers and their families during the war years to more recently fund raising for Mary’s Meals and supporting the many flood victims in Cumbria. Emma Porter, Cumbrian Community Foundation, updated us with the support and help given to Cumbrian flood victims, with devastating floods in 2010 and 2015 with the main focus on helping rebuild communities coupled with supporting the emotional well being of community members.  Let us not forget that 1,500 are still not back in their own homes!

Soroptimists from Northern England, including three from our club, participated in a successful workshop on UK Parliament. Thank you to Margaret Clark APD (Assistant Programme Director) Advocacy for organising this empowering workshop on Lobbying and Campaigning. Lynn Hobson (Parliamentary Outreach) delivered a very successful UK Parliament workshop at the Holiday Inn Scotch Corner. Representatives from National Council of Women and Business and Professional Women were present also. Soroptimists were very encouraged and empowered to take their issues further and progress, raising awareness, advocating and enabling women.

SIP SIP Soroptimist International Put Silver in for NEPACS. As an ogoing fundraising activity members took some jam jars to fill with 5p,10p, 20p and 50' coins to create a waterfall of silver. Club member Sue fulfilled a lifetime's ambition and has bought a camper van!! HOW MANY SOROPTIMISTS CAN YOU FIT IN A CAMPER VAN - Watch this space for the 'transformation' and potential SOROPTIMISTS IN A VAN challenge!

http://www.nepacs.co.uk/  

Club members, President Anne, Carol, Linda and Louise raise £670 for St.Oswalds Hospice. Limbering up............... .....and off we go along with an estimated 1000 others walking in memory of loved ones. ............through the lantern lit woods. ... to be greeted at the end with our wonderful Northumbrian Pipes.