There were several events on Remembrance Sunday attended by our Club Members. For the first time we were asked to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph. It was dedicated to: For all the women who volunteered in the First World War. From all the women of Wakefield Soroptimists. We will remember them.
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 will be placed in St John’s Square. Find out more about the Forgotten Women of Wakefield project we are actively involved in supporting here .
SI Wakefield member Molly Simpson was recently nominated as a local unsung hero in an awards scheme run by our local newspaper The Wakefield Express. Molly was shortlisted for the final and was awarded a certificate of recognition for the work she does as a volunteer, not only with SI Wakefield, but also her local church as a fundraiser and pianist, Volunteer at Ossett Community Centre luncheon club, Member of the St Raphael Singers and as a Tea Bar organizer for the local prison family visitor centre. Molly is truly an unsung hero to all of us in SI Wakefield and thoroughly deserves every bit of recognition for her tireless community work. Molly is pictured here with her award.
Soroptimists in Wakefield recently sent the following items, collected and made by members to benefit overseas recipients via CART – Christian African Relief Trust, who actively ship practical donated goods to the needy worldwide from their base in nearby Huddersfield. Any items which this charity receives which are not suitable to send are also sold locally in charity shops to fund the shipping costs. This worthwhile charity helps us to offer practical assistance as a club as well as raise awareness of the needs of others. We also sent 3 completed bags to Mary’s Meals a charity which enables children to be fed and educated in the developing world both through sponsoring school places and meals and equipping students with basic stationery and the means to get to school. We as members of SI Wakefield use every means at our disposal to help women and children worldwide, whether
In order to comply with the new Data protection regularions all clubs are required to make available a notice of privacy, which all club members should read and sign please download a copy here
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/
