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.  

We’ve been looking at how to have positive mental health; first Mindfulness followed by a walk in the warm sunshine from one community run area Brierdene to another, the Station Masters Garden.  Both beautiful areas are run by volunteers. https://stationmasterscenter.org/station-masters-community-wildlife-garden/ http://www.friendsofbrierdene.org.uk/

Congratulations to our very own Margaret Parsons, club secretary, whom has secured a place in our Federation as ARCHIVIST. Margaret was voted into post by the Federation Management Board.   Archivists acquire, manage and maintain documents and other materials that have historical and cultural importance for individuals, organisations and nations. A large part of the work is related to preserving information and making it accessible to users, increasingly in digital format. Archives may include valuable historical books, papers, maps and plans, as well as photographs, prints, films and computer-generated records. Users include researchers, academics, other professional staff and the general public.  

Why not pop along to see all of the fantastic PROGRAMME ACTION our members have been involved in over the past 12 months. PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR OPEN/MEMBERSHIP EVENING IS AT CULLERCOATS CRESCENT CLUB.

Federation President Sue Williams, Regional President Shirley Hallam, SI Middlesbrough Club President Pam Cooper, IPP SI Middlesbrough Kathy Warrick and many members and friends from Northern England and neighbouring regions including SI Yorkshire, Barry Coppinger, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner and Dave Harrison Communications Officer for Daft as a Brush Charity joined us for a wonderful lunch at Central Park restaurant Middlesbrough followed a short walk in Albert Park Middlesbrough  SI Middlesbrough planted 500 English Bluebell bulbs (iconic spring woodland wildflower (native bluebells are under threat) on 31 October 2018 in aid of Daft as a Brush Charity. This project linked with local partners to provide a permanent display in a central location of Albert Park (an urban parkland) to benefit the local community in a socio-economically deprived area, also signposting to SI Middlesbrough. Many members wore green in aid of ‘Think on It’ campaign raising

Club member Barbara Aryan successfully sold her home made cards and individually designed beaded jewellery upcycled from other pieces – meeting 100% the focus of GREEN BEANS – local & sustainable.    

A new year, a new Social Secretary kicks off with a fantastic night out.    What’s not to like: fantastic food, great company, amazing value for money, every ingredient and more to create your own curry, stylish clothes to buy amongst many and the amazing Sangeeta our host and chef for the evening.