on 28th April we were delighted to welcome new member Sue McLeod to SI Wakefield pictured Sue receiving her badge.

Below are photos of the flower arranging demonstration evening we held on the 22nd March 2018 in celebration of World Water Day. Beautiful arrangements by Blackburns Florist of Horbury, and delicious buffet provided by Cynthia and Anne made for an enjoyable fundraising evening in aid of Water Aid.  https://www.wateraid.org/uk/  Water aid is a charity making water, toilets and hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere. A secure water supply is a basic right which is not available to many of the world’s poorest women , children and girls, hygiene and sanitation play a key role in improving life prospects, with demonstrable impacts on life expectancy, infant mortality, and educational and economic attainment.

At our recent meeting we welcomed back local girl Libby who was the recipient of a one-off bursary from Wakefield Soroptimists towards the costs of her travel to Tanzania to work with school children and in the local community doing building work and environmental work. She travelled along with 20 fellow school pupils and teachers with Camps International visiting Tanzanian villages where they undertook manual work to support the people. During the trip Libby showed us how she had helped to “plaster” a 3-bedroomed house. She explained that this was to help a widow to remain in the house, having the option to rent out two of the rooms. She also helped to preserve a school building and made EPP, Elephant Poo Paper! – a sample of which was passed round along with other souvenirs of her visit.  Our club was pleased that by enabling Libby to travel, both she and

S I Wakefield celebrates burns Night in good company. The club’s Scottish member, Eileen Farley, is pictured here being applauded, having just given the traditional address to The Haggis. Then S I Wakefield members enjoyed Haggis, Tatties and Neeps followed by Whiskey Trifle, Eaton Mess and Whiskey Chocolates. A very good evening in our new meeting room at Walton parish church.

October 12th saw our Meru Garden fundraiser, to aid the Meru womens garden project in Kenya http://meruwomen.org/ . Our evening was a great success with the food and dress themed to the colours of the Kenyan flag. As part of the evening we were also able to present the cheque for our fundraising for the Samantha Sykes Foundation for £400 . The Samantha Sykes foundation works with children leaving care and vulnerable women to prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking http://www.samanthasykesfoundation.com/

Cynthia and Anne are pictured here taking a well-earned break after feeding the masses on our club Canal Boat Trip on 27 July 2017. We had another splendid trip with the Safe Anchor Trust, this time sailing from Mirfield towards Wakefield, dining on pork pies and mushy peas, followed by scones and cakes, washed down with an assortment of drinks – quite an adventure and a chance to socialize in the summer sun.

The ladies of the Soroptimist International of Wakefield took part in a mock fight against Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello and a Minion at Hall Green Gala. Pauline Alger, from the women’s group, said, “We would like to thank the organisers of Hall Green Gala and everyone who visited our stall, especially the Mayor of Wakefield and the headmistress of Dane Royd School. With thanks to the Wakefield Express who reported on this event and kindly took our picture!

Members and friends had a relaxing time at our Summer Barbeque, held at a members home on the 12th August 2017. All the men at the BBQ wore white ribbons in support of the women present who wore purple ribbons. The ribbons were to support the stop violence against women campaign. The money raised is to go to charities dedicated to this cause.

The Yorkshire Region conference held on 1 July was attended by two of our members and was hosted by Judith Alce from our Club. The Very Rev Dr Frances Ward led discussions on the Roots, Shoots and Fruits of Soroptimist International. We used the grape vine as an example of the role played by the Roots – the foundation of our Organisation, the Shoots which require nurturing and the Fruits which celebrate the successes we achieve. At our last session we discussed the future of Soroptimism and the direction we would like to take in Yorkshire. The one aspect which was chosen as a Fruit by everyone was that we should all co-operate in a project in our region which would run for several years. A Grant of Friendship delegate, Natalia Kurhaluk (on the far right of the photo) gave a presentation about one of

The Annual General Meeting of Soroptimist International Wakefield Took place on Thursday 27th April with all but two club members in attendance. The meeting included the presentation of President Elect’s Chain. Outgoing president Susie presented Samantha with her President Elects Chain. President Elect Samantha then presented outgoing President Susie with her Past President’s badge and a gift from the club with the club’s grateful thanks for all her hard work and commitment and she stated that it had been a pleasure for the club to have had Susie as that club’s President and that she had given the club a fantastic year. The AGM concluded with a convivial faith supper.