Sandra Graham, Margaret Hall, John O’Shea, Jo Kirwin, our local councillors spent several minutes listening to members chat about the important work we do for our local community and of course further afield. It was a wonderful opportunity to network and what was awesome was the interest in our club and how many people had heard of THE SOROPTIMISTS!! How amazing is that?!

It was a warm and windy day when Soroptimist Sisters Barbara and Louise arrived bright and breezy at the crack of dawn to set up stall!! We had fun! Sold loads of rubbish! Raised £35 for Toilet Twinning! Anything left over we dropped off at Barnardo’s up the road so WIN – WIN – WIN for all. Thanks Barbara for not selling my prescription sunglasses for 50p!!

Only two members but we litter picked along the way! Steve & Des – volunteers and organisers of Friends of Brierdene and firm friends of our club too!

Welcome to new member Sandra – it’s good to have you on board & you’re into the Environment – awesome! Welcome back Vivianne – everyone is so happy to have you on board and we look forward to having fun with you too!

Always looking to spread the amazing work of our club we came up with the idea of designing our own postcard. What better way than to invite local printer Michelle Wood of Sea Tern Print CIC, a social enterprise business. a Community Interest Company (CIC) Members were asked to do a little sketch to represent their idea of the ENVIRONMENT, our theme for the year. Using the Dynamic S as much as possible Michelle has created a wonderful, colourful,positive image of our clubs situation on the North East coast – check out the dynamic S’s – I think I can count 15! Michelle brought her portable printing press, gave a wonderful presentation about her aim to provide creative print sessions for people of all ages and abilities to promote well being and good mental health. All profits go to helping e.g. supporting charities, doing open

What an afternoon – really warm, unlike last year when that cold easterly wind hit the fair. Lots of visits to our stall and so many had heard who the Soroptimists are! All of the club’s hard work to become more visual in the local areas has defo paid off thanks to the continued support and action of club members. Our aim was not to make money but £47.70 goes to our main charity this year – TOILET TWINNING. ….and who was on fire? BARBARA!! one of our most loyal and hard working members, turning up time after time to promote our club and sell our mission statement EDUCATE – ENABLE -EMPOWER women. As the club’s theme this year is THE ENVIRONMENT what better way to engage visitors than a few fun games! …and here’s another game. Lift up an egg – get a sweet

Our 'bee' inspired raffle as May 20th is World Bee Day raised £116 for the President's charities. Bee inspired pottery gifts by talented member Liz! £70 was raised for Borderline Books, a charity that supplies books to prisons and other worthy causes. We collect copper and this year £120 was given to Nepal Javae. We continue to knit for the Kori Development Project in Sierra Leone Trustee members of The Manzini Youth Project accepting a cheque for £790 from IPP Judy Such creative ways of raising money - gifts from the women of Manzini, Swaziland. Tasty Seville marmalade fro member Cynthia; always a favourite. Bee mugs for sale - what a bargain, only £2:50! We spent £150 raised at our Christmas meal at H&M Conscious range ensure the underwear was not made in factories where women and children are exploited or kept against their will

Several members accompanied John to Harnham Buddhist Monastery as part of the club’s ‘well-being’ journey.  A busy day at Harnham as preparations for Vesak Festival,  a religious and cultural festival celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of May. Vesak Day is one of the biggest days of the year and is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. Buddhists commemorate the important events that took place in the life of Lord Buddha on this day.   https://ratanagiri.org.uk

Regional President Shirley Hallam and a member of Sorptimist International Tynemouth, Whitley Bay & District member started Blooming Monkseaton, where a small piece of parkland, Souter Park was transformed into a haven of tranquitilty.  What better than to spend an hour with the children of a local nursery on a ‘colour treasure hunt’ and to look for the native British bluebells planted last year.  Shirley is reassured that the nursery will tend to the park and ensure many more children enjoy this tranquil area of nature.