Following a recent presentation to our Club by Elizabeth Smith of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission she invited us to join them at an Open Day at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery.  This cemetery, begun in 1914, is the resting place for over 1,000 servicemen who died during the First and Second World Wars.  The cemeteries are financed by six countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Africa, New Zealand and India, who share the cost and maintenance of the Commission’s work proportionately to the number of their graves.  There are over 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries and territories around the world. Each headstone is inscribed with the details of the individual, including name, rank, awards, service number, religious emblem.  There is no discrimination between ranks, race or religion, everyone is treated equally. We spent several hours at the cemetery where volunteer tour guides recounted the stories of

On the 15th July members of SI Wakefield and District joined with members of SI Dewsbury on a walk to a local nature reserve to pick litter and help our environment to mark the Soroptimist International day of action. Although the weather could have been better spirits were high!

Members and guests welcomed retired barrister Elaine Averis to their speaker meeting on Thursday 22nd June. Elaine talked about her career and showed her robes and accessories including wig. Elaine shared a fascinating and sometimes challenging insight into her experience of visiting women in prison including seeing Rose West  when visiting another client in Durham Prison. Her work as a barrister has ranged from specialising in supporting justice for parents and guardians, for children who have been sexually abused and supporting those with learning difficulties through the legal process.

Wakefield Soroptimists celebrated the coronation of King Charles with the Yorkshire President and friends from other regional clubs on the evening of  Thursday 11th May. A buffet supper was put on by members and numerous glasses of fizz were raised to toast our new monarch.

Wakefield and District Soroptimists celebrated the anniversary of the club’s foundation with a sisterly meal at local restaurant Holmfield House on the 23rd February.  A most enjoyable evening was had by all and we were delighted to be joined by Yorkshire President Jane Glendinning. Wakefield and District is looking forward to celebrating its 90th anniversary of founding in 2024 with a big do!

We celebrated two of our valued members turning 80 recently. At our meeting on 10th November, not one but two of our Soroptimist sisters turned 80.  Pictured cutting their cake, expertly baked by fellow SI Wakefield member Cynthia are Marjorie and Mollie. Many happy returns ladies!

SI Wakefield had a tremendous talk at ther speaker meeting on the 27th October from Paul Blakey MBE, the founder of Street Angels. This is a project which, with the help of a team of volunteers, has made a massive difference in over one hundred towns and cities across the UK and overseas. Founded in November 2005 the scheme has seen violent crime and sexual assaults reduce dramatically in many of the communities where the projects work.  The Angels now also go inside pubs and clubs, at music festivals, in communities and at train stations. Because of Paul’s contribution to community safety he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours 2010 by Her Majesty the Queen. His talk was full of humour and inspiration. Street Angels are always looking for volunteers and when asked how anyone could help who did not want to ‘walk

Several members of our Club enjoyed a walk around Westgate led by Kevin Trickett from Wakefield Civic Society. In 2020 Wakefield Council and Historic England formed a 4-year partnership to improve the condition of some of the buildings in the Upper Westgate Conservation Area, aiming to change people’s perception of the area, which includes many locally and nationally listed buildings.  Kevin entertained us with his knowledge of the history of Wakefield and encouraged us all to open our eyes and look up as we are walking in the streets of Wakefield.

On 28 July Wakefield Soroptimists set out on a summer social trip to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, hoping to see the SIGBI memorial.  Sadly the exhibit was being repaired.  However, the group saw most of the site on a guided train ride, following which there was time to visit the memorials that had specific interest for individual Members.  There was the added bonus of unexpectedly witnessing an official visit by Priti Patel who was attending the commemoration of a memorial to members of the Police who had fallen in the line of duty. We were able to visit Litchfield on the way home, with a chance to see the Cathedral and a temporary beach set up outside the cathedral.  

Wakefield Soroptimists hosted visitors from across Yorkshire for their Jubilee get together on  9th June. With strawberries, fizz and cake galore our honorary member Cynthia was crowned Wakefield’s Catering Queen for all the delicious cakes, she provides at every meeting. Yorkshire President Lindsey was on hand to join in the festivities and celebrate our longest reigning monarch HM Queen Elizabeth pictured here with another SI Wakefield club honorary member and past Yorkshire president Judith being gifted a commemorative teatowel .