Wakefield soroptimists (along with some of our soropti-Misters – our husbands and partners) visited Newby Hall on Thursday 22nd July for a long awaited reunion and picnic after our meetings continued online for the last 18 months under lockdowns. It was a lovely day, rather warm at times, and club members spent quite a while catching up on each other’s news, enjoying each others company again, sitting under trees in the lovely setting of Newby Hall gardens drinking coffee and tea, and then lunch – a fairly typical Soroptimist outing! It was good to be out and about again after such a long period at virtual meetings. We look forward to being able to resume our usual regular meetings in person again in September.

Recently Wakefield Soroptimists raised £1080 to fund latrines with our ‘5P2P’ initiative. Members donated 5p every time they used their bathroom and  communities in Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and South Sudan were able to have basic latrines built for them through charity Tearfund and its toilet twinning appeal. It also helped fund water taps in Guatemala, Malawi and Nepal, plus school blocks in Pakistan and Malawi and other facilities. Find out more about this charity and the fabulous work they do to bring sanitation and clean water to the poorest communities worldwide at https://www.toilettwinning.org/ . 

Although its impossible to thank our brave  NHS and keyworker staff enough for their service during the Covid 19  pandemic, SI Wakefield assembled a small token of our appreciation and delivered a gift of thanks to our local hospital. We were grateful for the support of our local supermarkets who donated some items and the rest was supported by our membership. Here are some photos of the treats and thank you cards we took to Pinderfields Hospital to say a big thank you to the staff for working so hard through the pandemic. There were 10 boxes, 1 of toiletries and 1 of chocolates and snacks for each of 5 departments- ICU, acute respiratory unit, Covid ward, pathology lab and the mortuary staff.  Neither words or deeds can express our gratitude for their professionalism and dedication.

This has been a Presidential year with a difference, as so far we have not been able to meet face to face as a club. Our technology skills have improved immensely though – we have kept in touch via Zoom, both as a club and a region. 4 members even ‘went’ to a virtual Federation conference with 900 others from across the world. The ladies unable to use Zoom were contacted by telephone. In summer we were able to meet in the rose garden of a local park in groups of 6 and in August I invited 2 small groups to my home for tea and cake. This was a substitute for a fundraiser for the International project to help girls in Nepal, but with generous contributions of homemade jams, chutneys, birthday cards and knitted baby items, we still managed to raise £100.Early in lockdown

On the sunny morning of Tuesday, January 21st Wakefield Soroptimists again assembled and rolled up their sleeves to ensure the grave of one of Wakefield’s unsung women was cleared and cleaned the grave and tidy for Spring. The grave in St John’s Churchyard, Wakefield is that of local 19th century artist Louisa Fennell, which soroptimists helped to clear and plant with spring bulbs last year. Louisa (1847–1930) was an English watercolour painter, best known as a painter of landscapes and townscapes in the West Riding of Yorkshire, particularly Wakefield, her home town. As part of the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project a blue plaque to celebrate her life and work has now also been placed in St John’s Square. Find out more about the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project we are actively involved in supporting here . Wakefield Soroptimists are committed to ensuring that her talent

Soroptimist International Wakefield held a memory walk in Thornes Park on a warm evening in July, in aid of Alzheimer’ Society. They then had a meal and also enjoyed the fun of a Memory Tray. An unusual and pleasant evening hosted by President Judith which was enjoyed by all who attended.

In honour of one of our eldest and most long serving members Cynthia, we turned our 13th June meeting into a birthday party complete with dance band and buffet. It was a great evening and we had over 40 ladies there from Soroptimist Clubs across the north of England to wish Cynthia many happy returns. Honorary member and several times past president Cynthia really enjoyed her special night and is pictured here dancing the night away with fellow Wakefield member Marjorie. Thank you to Soroptimist sisters who travelled long distances to be with us on the night and make her party go with a bang.

Wakefield Soroptimists welcomed their incoming 2019-20 president with a ceremonial handing over of the chains at our recent AGM. Outgoing president Sam handed over the chain of office to incoming president Judith.

SI Wakefield members and their guests met to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the founding of our club with a black tie dinner on Saturday 13th April at Wakefield Town Hall. A wonderful speech about the origins and current work of our club and a toast was given by SI Yorkshire president Pat Kilbane. President Sam also welcomed special guests from sister soroptimist clubs across Yorkshire.

Spring flowers have bloomed again and a forgotten local woman is at last receiving the recognition she deserves following action by SI Wakefield members. On a sunny day in November several members met at St John’s Churchyard in Wakefield to tidy up and plant bulbs around the grave of Louisa Fennell.  Louisa (1847–1930) was an English watercolour painter, best known as a painter of landscapes and townscapes in the West Riding of Yorkshire, particularly Wakefield, her home town. As part of the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project a blue plaque to celebrate her life and work has now also been placed in St John’s Square. Find out more about the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project we are actively involved in supporting here .