How fast the Soroptimist months whizz round and now it is time to write to you again. As many of you know Judith has been sadly busy with family illness in the last few weeks so I shan’t hand over newsletter duties until next month. I’m sure everyone joins me in wishing you both well Judith.
December is a month steeped in tradition and as in previous years the month began with Soroptimist and festive traditions coming together as several clubs took part in Christmas tree festivals, ‘oranging’ their trees to highlight the days of activism against violence against women. Our Christmas tree festival in Ilkley is brief, just two days and the church then emptied of trees to make space for weekend worship. (With the help of a generous ‘man with a van’ we have perfected the art of transporting our tree, complete with decorations in situ, to a second venue but that is another story).
December, of course would not be complete without carol services, and I was delighted to accept invitations to two very different but equally moving services. The first, from SI Dewsbury and District was in the Holy Trinity church at Ossett, a magnificent church with a much more generous approach to Christmas tree festivals so that we were surrounded throughout the wonderful service, by a beautiful set of trees, including two ‘oranged’ by SI Wakefield and by SI Dewsbury and District. A nostalgic occasion for me as the bible passage I was invited to read told of the annunciation, a passage I read on more than one occasion as a schoolgirl. The Mayor of Huddersfield, a woman of South Asian heritage, read a poem celebrating womanhood, for me an inspiring and moving completion of the 16days of activism.
The next day, carol services being like buses, was SI Skipton’s service at Skipton Castle, another magnificent building although somewhat forbidding on a dark evening. Once we were inside all was warm and welcoming; also very full as Soroptimists were joined by the Cobbydale Singers from Silsden and the choir of St. Stephen’s primary school, all of whom sang beautifully. I was assigned a very different reading this time, from ‘Little Women’, so another trip down memory lane. It was a privilege to take part in both of these services and to see so many community partnerships in action.
North Yorkshire County Council marked the 16 days of activism with a Violence Against Women summit with opportunities for extensive networking alongside the talks and workshops. Pat Kilbane and Avis Ball attended on behalf of SIYAMS. Do ask them about it if you get a chance.
This time of year is busy with non-Soroptimist activities but nevertheless clubs promoted Soroptimism and our messages about improving women’s safety at a huge range of displays and orange cafes across the region including but I’m sure not limited to: Tesco in Garforth, Stanley library, Harrogate College, a bookshop in Malton, a community centre in Norton, a garden centre in Selby, Christchurch, Ilkley and a stained glass centre in Killerby while SI Leeds Literary Prize was discussed on Chapel FM, a community radio staton in Leeds.) https://www.chapelfm.co.uk/elfm-player/archive/2024/12/love-the-words-281-fiona-goh/) It is easy to forget, when we are worrying about our membership and sustaining Soroptimism into the future just how much we do achieve. I hope you feel as proud of Yorkshire Soroptimism as I did when I took a few minutes to bring this list of just some of your work together.
And last but most excitingly of all we have just received our invitations to the Chartering of a new club in SI Yorkshire, Soroptimist International of Spen Valley. What a way to start a new year. SIGBI Federation President Ruth will be in Yorkshire once more for SI Spen Valley’s inaugural charter lunch and I look forward to seeing many of you there too.
Best wishes SI Spen Valley prospective members and to you all for the new year and for success in all your projects in 2025
Sue and Judith
jointyorkshirepresidents@gmail.com