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News
See our Programme of Meetings
Read about our Forthcoming Events
Read our Recent News
Read our Archive of News from previous years
Programme of Meetings
All meetings take place at Stanley House, Manchester Road Audenshaw with the exception of Tuesday 19 July 2011when the Club will meet at Fairfield Golf Club,
Audenshaw, Tameside.
Business meetings commence at 6-45.
Speaker meetings at at 8pm, preceded by a meal.
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2011
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Monday 16th May
Monday 23rd May
Monday 6th June
FRIDAY 24th June
Monday 4th July
Tuesday 19 July*
Monday 5th September
Monday 19th September
Monday 3rd October
Monday 17th October
Monday 7th November
Monday 21st November
Monday 5th December
Monday 19th December
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Business
Speaker
Business
Annual Dinner
Business
Speaker
Business
Speaker
Business
Speaker
Business
Speaker
Business
Christmas Party
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2012
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Monday 9th January
Monday 23rd January
Monday 6th February
Monday 20th February
Monday 5th March
Monday 19th March
Monday 2nd April
Monday 19th April
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Business
Speaker
Business
Speaker
Business
Speaker
Business / Distribution of Charities
Annual General Meeting
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Forthcoming Events.
Recent News and Events
January 2012.
President Janette officially launched the latest Club Project. 6000 PENCILS FOR FOMO. The point is to collect enough pencils for each child helped by FOMO in Malawi to have their own pencil.
One of the first donations came from the Brownies at St. George'sChurch in Stalybridge who got us off to a great start with 100.
Some local business' have agreed to help with this by acting as a liaison for people to bring in pencils. These include The Tameside Reporter, Ashton Market Hall, Muldoon and Tonge Opticians and the Eyes Right shops in and around Tameside. Watch this space to see how the appeal is progressing before the end of the Project in March.
The photo shows Vice President Jill, President Janette and President Elect Alicia in the Eyes Right Opticians shop in Denton.
Christmas Greetings to Soroptimists everywhere
President Janette and Club members send Christmas greetings to Soroptimists and their families everywhere. Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee,
God Jul, Buon Natale,Feliz Navidad,De Groetan van Kerstmis.
At the Business Meeting President Janette welcomed Colin and Harold from the Royal British Legion (Stalybridge and Dukinfield Branch) who were then presented with a cheque for over £400 raised by June Riley and her dedicated team of Poppy knitters. Colin thanked the Club for its efforts and for supporting the Poppy Apeal when, as in previous years, Club members worked on the stall in Morrisons Dukinfield. June also raised a substantial amount with knitters from the Greenfield area, which was handed over separately, and she thanked everyone who helped in any way.
June handing over the cheque to Colin and Harold.
The recent Donkey Derby was well supported and enjoyed by Club members, friends and family .
19 September 2011.
The Club enjoyed the Speaker Meeting on the 19 Sept when guests included Anna Fletcher from theTameside Reporter and Norma Parry Regional Press and Publicity Officer,SI South Lancs. Region.
5 September 2011.
President Janette welcomed members back after the summer break. She updated the Club on recent activities including some social occasions and the visits to EST, especially the very successful Summer Fair when proceeds from the ping-pong game will be included in the total raised throughout the year.
24 June 2011. Amongst guests at the 68th ANNUAL DINNER were the Civic Mayor of Tameside Coun. Susan Quinn and accompanying the Mayor Mrs Teresa Smith. Also present was SI South Lancs. Regional President Jenny Stanistreet with her husband. Representing Rotary Ashton was Rev. Jean Hurlston and SI Club Presidents from throughout the Region along with their members joined SI Ashton for an evening of good food and friendship.
Guests at the Dinner. Back Row Mr Meadowcroft and Mr Stanistreet.
l--r front row. Mrs T Smith, The Civic Mayor of Tameside Counc. Susan Quinn, Ashton Club President Janette Meadowcroft, Regional President Sth Lancs. Jenny Stanistreet, Rev Jean Hurlston Pres. of Rotary International Ashton under Lyne Club.
The excellent After Dinner entertainment was provided by Miriam Lawton(shown below) with Harry Butterworth on the piano and Patricia Butterworth on violin who provided a tuneful end to the evening.
23 May 2011.
President Janette welcomed the guest speaker from her chosen charity, the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust to the first Speaker Meeting of her year.
Distribution of Charities 2011
President Linda Fayers welcomed to the Club Nina Markham from the Rainbow Trust who received a cheque for £1,432:90. On behalf of Stanley House, Brenda Tetlow accepted a cheque for £200 and Janet Patterson accepted a cheque for £175 for the Tameside Women's Project. In addition the Club had made donations towards the many international disaster appeals which occurred during President Linda's term of Office. President Linda, who retired from Office in April said that she was delighted that her chosen charity,The Rainbow Trust received such a valuable donation to help their work with the families of children with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
At the start of her Year Linda said she hoped for a year of good deeds,good fun,good food and drink but especially good friendship.She felt that the Club had fulfilled those hopes.
Other News and Events
On behalf of SI Ashton PP Alicia represented the Club at a Dinner held by the RBL to mark the celebrations of The Royal British Legion's 90th Year of its founding. The meal was held at Reflections Restaurant at Tameside College when Alicia was accompanied by Soroptimister Graham.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2011
To celebrate the hundred years of International Women's Day President Linda and Club members took part in an Event held at Ashton under Lyne Town Hall on Saturday 5 March.The photograph shows President Linda with the display board showing the Club and SI activities. President Linda said,It was a lovely, warm occasion for bringing together the Women of Tameside.
President Linda with the Ashton Club board
24 January 2011.
President Linda and Club members attended the funeral of Honorary Member Margaret Rogerson who died aged 97.
Later in the evening at the first Speaker meeting of 2011 Keith and Mary Woodworth joined members and guests for a meal at Stanley House. They then gave an update to the Club on the recent events in Malawi concerning attempts to steal land from Mary's family and her subsequent wrongful arrest.They also brought everyone up to date with the work of FOMO(Friends of Mulanje Orphans) the Charity
they founded in 2000. Ashton Club congratulates FOMO on winning the prestigious Beacon Fellowship.
The photo shows Keith and Mary Woodworth with President Linda.
1 January 2011. A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO SOROPTIMISTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
President Linda and Club members sent Christmas greetings to Soroptimists and their families everywhere Joyeux Noel, God Jul, Buon Natale,Feliz Navidad,De Groetan van Kerstmis.
On Tuesday 7 December 2010 Club Member June was delighted to hand over to Peter Edwards representing Stalybrige and Dukinfield Branch of the Royal British Legion a cheque for £1000. This was money raised by June Riley and other Club members of Ashton under Lyne from the sale of their famous knitted poppies.
June had a stall at Federation Conference and other Clubs throughout our Region contributed to the stall and had their own efforts returned as donations to the RBL in their areas. Peter, who was truly staggered by the amount of the cheque thanked everyone who had contributed wool, time knitting and who had bought these special poppies. He said it was a massive boost to the funds raised in the local area.
The link with Stalybridge and Dukinfield goes back some years now when the RBL Branch asked for help at Poppy selling time. In true Soroptimist spirit Ashton Club were only happy to help out and a strong bond was formed. On Armistice Sunday President Linda laid a wreath of Poppies at the War Memorial in Ashton under Lyne representing SI throughout the Borough of Tameside.
The photo shows June and Peter Edwards as she hands over the cheque.
The Club is grateful to Andy Rudkin at Tameside Reporter Group of Newspapers who arranged for the cheque to be handed over in the Reporter Office as bad weather forced the cancellation of the Business Meeting which should have taken place on the previous evening.
21 October-14 November 2010.
FOMO
Club members were delighted to hear that Mary and Keith Woodworth from FOMO received the prestigious Beacon Prize for Services to Fomo.
President Linda and Club members from SI Ashton attended this year's Conference held for the first time in Manchester from 21-24 Oct, when the theme was Accept the Challenge,Secure the Future.
POPPIES
This year June, who throughout the year had encouraged other Clubs and also members of SI Ashton to knit poppies had a stall at the Conference venue, Grand Central, to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.
Well done to June and all the knitters.
Other Club members assisted the members of Stalybridge and Dukinfield Branch of the RBL to sell poppies in Morrisons supermarket Dukinfield before Armistice Day.
26 September2010.
New member Renee attended the Annual New Members and Awards Lunch held at Wrightington.The group, including Ipp Jill and President Linda watched as sister club Bolton swept the board winning the Regional PAC Prize and the Rosebowl Challenge with their excellent Project held in the Town Centre earlier this year.
New member Renee(L) with President Linda, IPP Jill and PP Usha and Ann.
22 September 2010.
Lancashire Woman of the Year Lunch.
Club members and President Linda attended the 21st Lancashire Woman of the Year Lunch held at the Mytton Fold Hotel at Langho in aid of Barnardo's. The Chair was Debbie Gregory.
Members at the start of the day
Ashton Club had nominated Mary Woodworth the founder of FOMO(Friends of Mulanje Orphans) for the title which was won by Fiona Okbi from Blackpool for her work as manager with the Salvation Army Bridge Project. The guest speaker was Thora Beddard and MC was Betty Garvey.
Club member Sharman and her guests.
20 September 2010.
President Linda welcomed Club members and their invited guests to the Speaker Meeting when after dinner speaker Alan Price gave a witty and informative talk on the life of a Natural History Curator entitled; From Flour to Flower.
Linda with guest speaker Alan Price.
18 September 2010.
SATURDAY OF SERVICE
SOROPTIMIST SATURDAY OF SERVICE 2010.
On Saturday 18th September 2010 the members of SI Ashton met at St. George's Church Stalybridge, Tameside to spend a morning making Cool Ties for serving troops in Afghanistan. Using 100% pure cotton material donated by a local firm and similar quality material in a different shade which was kindly provided by Club member Khazeema Beg, a Director of Oriana UK, the group stitched and stuffed over 80 ties and these will be sent to SOS (Support our Soldiers Charity) ready to be included in the Christmas boxes sent out to troops.
The ties contain gel crystals normally used in hanging baskets which when wet, swell and rest on the pulse spots around the neck helping to keep the soldiers cool in the heat of the day.
Club President Linda Fayers said...
It was a good collective effort by members who gave up their Saturday morning in true Soroptimist spirit. The Club is grateful to all members who contributed their time and also the gel crystals used in the ties, the sewing thread and Fair Trade and home baked refreshments used to fortify the workers.
Thanks also go to St George's PCC who waived their usual fee and allowed their lounge to be used for the Soroptimist Saturday of Service.
12 September 2010.
As the programme of activities for the rest of the Presidential year gets under way PP Usha held a very successful Cheese and Wine Event at her home. The proceeds will go to President's Charity 2010/11, The Rainbow Trust.
7 July 2010.
7 Club members made the short trip across the Pennines to join SI Huddersfield for the Annual Friendship Lunch held at the Old Golf House Hotel at Outlane.
President Linda with the rest of the Chain Gang
A spectacular start to the fundraising for President Linda's Charity took place at Stalybridge Carnival when June and the team organised a game in which everyone was a winner.
Waiting for customers!
From tiny tots to grown ups everyone enjoyed themselves and raised £178 for The Rainbow Trust 
President Linda and the team.
25th June 2010.
67th Annual Dinner.
The Club celebrated its Chartering at Stanley House when a hundred dinner guests joined with The Civic Mayor of Tameside Coun. Jean Brazil and her Consort Sydney, South Lancs. Regional President Sriya Kulupana and President of Rotary of Ashton Alison Monks for a pleasant evening of food and friendship. President Linda warmly welcomed everyone to the occasion and also present were many Club President's, members and representatives from our Friendship link, SI Huddersfield.The After Dinner Entertainment was provided by Alice Zawadzki and Dan Whieldon and IPP Jill Dewsnap was Toastmistress.
4th June 2010.
President Linda and six Past Presidents travelled across the Pennines to share the 75 Anniversary of the Chartering of SI Huddersfield, one of our Club's Friendship Links.
The event was held at the Old Golf House Hotel at Outlane and after a warm welcome from the joint Presidents Josie and Joyce,we all enjoyed a lovely evening of good food and friendship. Ann Cryer JP Past Member of Parliament was Guest Speaker and Federation President Jackie Mosedale presented Service Awards to three Club members.
9 May 2010.
Once again SI Ashton joined with other stall holders at the Annual Masonic Summer Fair held at Stanley House. Home baking and preserves were popular with visitors. Another succesful event.
20 April 2010.
At the start of what will be another busy year President Linda and Club members visited Mother Club, SI Manchester to speak about the SOS Shoebox Project undertaken by Ashton and to encourage President Sophie and Manchester's PAC in their efforts.
President Linda with President Sophie.
Linda Fayers is the new Club President and does not mind in the slightest being "recycled".Details about her chosen charity are below
Linda writes
Like many of my sister Soroptimists I am pleased to be joining them as a recycled President! Since my last term of office in 2005/6 I have continued to enjoy the friendship and activities within our Club and with members of other Clubs in the South Lancashire Region.
This I have managed even though I have been lucky enough to enjoy quite a number of holidays.This year I have chosen the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity. This charity supports families who have a child with life threatening or terminal illness.The Rainbow Trust I thoroughly enjoyed my term as President in 2005 and I'm sure that 2010/11 will be just as enjoyable.
19 April 2010. At the AGM President Jill lit the Candle of Achievement as she completed her Year of Office and moved into her new role as Immediate Past President. She handed over the Chain of Office to Linda Fayers who will be Club President until 20011.
6 April 2010.
DISTRIBUTION OF CHARITIES 2009/10
President's Charity. Young Oncology Unit at Christie Hospital.
Y.O.U. deals specifically with the needs of teenagers with cancer.
President Jill welcomed representatives from Young Oncology Unit, Tamesde Friends of young Carers and Stanley House to receive cheques on behalf of the Club. Other groups had received donations earlier in the year, details of which can be found below in the main body of the page.
The representative from YOU, Mr Howard Newhall received a cheque for £2488 96, TTFOYC £100 and Stanley House also £100 towards their fabric fund. Jill thanked eveyone who had contributed to this magnificent year.
President Jill with Brenda representing Stanley House, Howard from YOU and Joyce from Young Carers watched by Malcolm from the Ashton Market Office. Photo by kind permission of the Reporter Group of NewspapersOTHER NEWS
June, a bowler writes:-
I was runner-up in the Tameside league at bowls last year. I also won the Nora Oakley Trophy in Stamford Park at the end of the season, something I'm delighted with as I had a great affection for Nora who died a couple of years ago.
From the Club, President Jill writes
Good luck to all the Club bowlers who are starting the New Season soon.
THE BIG BRA APPEAL
It was with a huge sigh of relief that President Jill and her family waved goodbye to the bags of bras that had been stored at her home during the Appeal. The final number is not known at this time but an announcement will be made soon.
PE Linda is shown with Pres. Jill's mother,2nd daughter Karen and Jill's grandson and, behind them on the truck all the donated bras.
The photo shows Tom the driver from BCR Global Textiles, President Jill and P.E. Linda with the collected bras, all bagged and ready to go.
6 March 2010. For International Women's Day 8 March.
President Jill and Club members were at the Market Ground Ashton under Lyne from 9am until 3pm collecting bras for recycling and re-use. The Club is grateful to Malcolm and Linda of the Market Office for all their help with this event. All day people called at the stall and said hello, saw what Soroptimists do and brought us any unwanted bras. There are now 1,350 less bras to go into landfill and this staggering amount will be added to the total raised so far. A very welcome visitor was the Mayoress of Tameside, Mrs Francoise Sullivan who added her contribution and stayed for over 30 minutes talking to visitors. Also present was Coun. Jackie Lane who has supported our past Projects.
The photo shows the Mayoress with Soroptimists and 4th from right, Coun. Lane
As people brought their donations many told us how their lives had been touched by cancer and praising the work done by the Christie Hospital and its Young Oncology Unit
Despite the cold day Club members enjoyed supporting International Women's Day 2010, helping to improve the environment and knowing that many of the lovely bras collected will be sent to developing countries to be highly prized by women there.
Prior to the event many donations had been received by the Market Managers from the public, traders and stall holders all which helped to make the Day so successful. A full list will appear at the end of the Appeal when the Grand Total is known.
SEPTEMBER 2009
President Jill has now launched the BIG BRA APPEAL to raise funds for the YOUNG ONCOLOGY UNIT at Christie Hospital in Manchester.
PAC Chair Ann, President Jill and her daughter Kaye with Janet Parish from JD Williams holding up bags of donated bras.
The Club is very grateful to BCR Global Textiles for making this appeal work so profitably.
Club members are working hard asking family and friends to clear out their lingerie of unwanted bras and to tell their friends to donate to us.
Shona has designed an eycatching poster and this can be seen all over the North West publicizing our Appeal which will run until March 2010.
FEBRUARY
The collection is now gathering pace and President Jill and her daughter Kaye along with PAC members are shown draped in some of the donated bras prior to the BCR Global Textiles collection.
FOR DETAILS OF CLUB NEWS PLEASE SEE BELOW
20March 2010.
As part of the Great Soroptimist Tea Party in conjunction with WaterAid to celebrate the 75 Years of SIGBI, Club member Rachel hosted a Coffee Morning for Club members at her home. This was the last Programme Action event of President Jill's Year of Office and was a successful morning enjoyed by all who attended.
22 February 2010.
Club members and some Soroptimisters accompanied our President and her husband to celebrate with Rotary International of Ashton at their 75th Charter Anniversary Dinner. This was held at Hotel Smokies Park when Club President Alison welcomed guests including the Deputy Mayor of Tameside Coun. Sue Quinn.
Guest Speaker was Canon Noel Proctor MBE MA and a pleasant evening was enjoyed by all.
Shrove Tuesday
16 February 2010.
President Jill and PP June were on form in Ashton Town Centre in the Ashton Pancake Flippin' Competition.
L-PP June and second L-President Jill and Club members before the start of the Competion.
Sadly the team did not win, the Golden Frying Pan going to the team from the Ladysmith Centre but it was great fun and everyone enjoyed themselves.
All proceeds went to the Mayor of Tameside's Charity Appeal.
President Jill getting into the swing of things! This photo by kind permission of the Town Centre Management Team
June giving it her best, playing keepy uppy!!
18 January2010.
President Jill welcomed members to the first Speaker Meeting of the new decade when Mr Ian Donohoe a Volunteer Room Steward at Lyme Hall was the Guest. Ian gave a witty and knowlegeable talk on the history of the Hall and its environs with special mention of the filming of the 1990's series Pride and Predudice starring Colin Firth, much of which was filmed at Lyme.
The North West of England has been affected by snow and although we have had to cancel the first meeting of 2010 we thought visitors to our site might like to see what our area has looked like for the last few weeks.
The photographs are by kind permission of Martin Clark at
Ashton under Lyne.com
Hartshead Pike showing the highest point in Ashton.
Two views of the canal bridge at Portland Basin, Ashton.
 Cricket's Lane, with the Parish Church behind the trees.
GREETINGS TO ALL SOROPTIMISTS.
President Jill and members of SI Ashton under Lyne send best wishes to Soroptimists everywhere, their families and friends and we wish you all a peaceful and happy 2010.
7 December 2009.
Peter Edwards from Royal British Legion (Stalybridge and Dukinfield Branch) attended the Business meeting accompanied by his daughter Poppy
At the start of the meeting P.P. June handed over a cheque for £250 to Peter for the work of the Legion which was raised by June and Club member Susan knitting and selling special poppies
5 December 2009.
The quarterly Regional Meeting took place at Sports Village, Leigh, Lancs. Guest speakers from Handicap International held the PAC meeting enthralled during the morning. The pm meeting was Chaired by Sriya Kulupana the new President of South Lancs Region 2009/10.
Click here to read the South Lancs Leader
The Club has had a busy few weeks and President Jill reported on some of the activities.
October and November.
President Jill and Club members attended the Charter Lunch of SI Wilmslow held at The Deanwater Hotel .
V.P. Janette, President Jill, P.P.Gina, Club Member Susan. Seated P.P Linda P.P.June
Jill represented the Club at the War Memorial in Ashton on Remembrance Sunday, 8th November supported by P.E. Linda and P.P. Betty.
At the end of October the Club held a very successful fundraising event when Val Seed gave a floral demonstration with the theme A Good Excuse for a Party. All proceeds went to President's Charity.
Pictured above.
Jill with Val Seed and below a lavish display, one of many produced on the night.
President Jill and President Elect Linda and Past Presidents Irene and June left for the Federation Annual Conference held in Cardiff.
SI Ashton delegates with Margaret Emsley P.P. of Ashton Club and on the Federation Management Board, at the Banquet which closed the Conference.
23 September 2009.
It was with great sadness that the Club learned of the death of Lynn Dunning, Past International President. We send our sincere condolences to Lynn's family and friends and to her Club of SI Ramsbottom.
Lynn was tireless in her efforts for Soroptimism and was a wonderful President at all levels of the movement.
Clubs in South Lancs. Region were very proud of our girl.
20 September 2009.
The Guest Speaker at the South Lancs. Regional New Members and Awards Presentation Lunch was Sue Challoner, Assistant Programme Director for Economic and Social Development SIGBI.
The Lunch was held at the Wrightington Hotel in Lancashire and Soroptimists from the Region enjoyed a meal and friendship then listened intently to Sue's talk on the structure of UKPAC and the good and worthy projects undertaken by Clubs in the Region.
Regional President Bernadette then asked Sue to assist with Presentations of Awards.
14 September 2009.
President Jill welcomed Glenis Lee from the Tameside Blind Society to the meeting. A wealth of support is available for those with visual impairment and members were interested to find out more about aids to everyday living.
Jill volunteered to test some of the items available.
Present at this meeting were many guests who came to experience SI and to share the fun and friendship that Soroptimism can offer. Membership Secretary Alicia brought along the display boards which provide a visual record of Club activities.Members and guests enjoyed their evening together looking at previous Projects and planning for the future.
1 September 2009.
Club members of Soroptimist International of Ashton under Lyne, along with their mothers, daughters and granddaughters filled 31 Comfort boxes for service personnel based in Afghanistan.
Karen Webster, founder of the Charity Support our Soldiers, (SOS) travelled from their Headquarters in Bingley, Yorks. to collect the boxes before forwarding them to Service Personnel who have requested a box.
Karen explained to the Club how the Charity evolved and how vital it to keep morale high. "Just the idea that a stranger has gone to all the trouble to choose a box full of interesting and welcome luxuries gives a Service woman or man such a boost".
President Jill Dewsnap thanked all members and their families who contributed to this Project and hoped the recipients would enjoy receiving their gifts.
She also thanked Debbie and staff at the Shubar in Ashton for supplying the empty boxes and to Selections of Denton who kindly supplied packets of condiments, sauce and individual tablets of soap to help fill the boxes with many tiny and useful surprises.
Details of Support our Soldiers are on www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk
19 August 2009.
The bowling team are having a good season and the photograph was taken at Cedar Park in Ashton.
7 July 2009.
As Stanley House is closed in July the Business Meeting was held in the Community Room at Ashton Fire Service. The Service personnel made us very welcome and we enjoyed our visit to their place of work. The Club was very grateful to the Service for use of the room.
Our hosts for the evening hard at work
President Jill with Lorraine and Penelope
At the start of the meeting the Club met representatives of Young Oncology Unit at Christie Hospital, President Jill's Charity 2009/10 who gave a short DVD presentation of the work of the Y.O.U. bringing home to Club members how vital the funds raised are to these young people. Penelope and Lorraine showed work of the the Y.O.U. with a candidness and humour that energised us all into greater efforts for Jill's Charity.
5 July 2009.
Honorary Club Member Mildred and her husband Ossie kindly opened up their home and held one of their famous Cream Tea's to raise fund for President's Charity. Over £400 was raised and the Club thanked them for their kindness.
4 July 2009.
After a few hours sleep President Jill and Club members attended the Regional Meeting held in Leigh, Lancs.
3 July 2009.
President Jill and Club members took part in the Annual Willow Wood Wander. This sponsored event takes place at midnight and covers 10k around the streets of Tameside. All proceeds raised by the Women Only walk will go towards the Willow Wood Hospice.
1 July 2009
President Jill and 13 Club members travelled across the Pennines to meet up with SI Huddersfield and their sister Clubs from Yorkshire for the Annual Friendship Lunch. The welcoming venue of the Old Golf House Hotel at Outlane was thronged with Soroptimists renewing old friendships and making new ones.
All proceeds from the raffle went to Project SIerra.
 The photo shows President Jill (3rd from L.) with Club Presidents,& P. Elect. Pat Drake, Regional President of Yorkshire Region is 2nd from R.
Entertainment was provided by LA John and Toastmistress for the evening was IPP Dr Usha Deulkar.
Councillor John Sullivan Civic Mayor of Tameside MBC, President Jill and Mrs Francoise Sullivan.
THE FIRST SPEAKER MEETING.
Anne MacDonald (Quadrennial Project Liaison Officer SIGBI )visited the Club and updated members on her recent study tour tour to Project SIerra. Also present was Bob Clowrey from the Tameside Reporter, who was visiting the Club to have an insight into how SI operates and to find out more about Project SIerra.
Bob Clowrey collecting some thoughts on Project SIerra.
The Club enjoyed a meal together with their guests. Later in the evening the Presentation from Anne was very moving and enlightening and this was reflected in the Vote of Thanks which was given by Janet Patterson on behalf of members.
Bob, Anne and President Jill after the Meeting.
Congratulations to:-
Dr Margaret Emsley who spoke on the subject of Women in Engineering at the Joint Regional Conference at Kendal.
10 May 2009.
SI Ashton held a very sucessful a home food produce stall selling cakes, jams chutney etc at the Stanley House Summer Fair. This was held at Stanley House and over £100 was made for President Jill's chosen charity, The Young Oncology Unit at Christie Hospital in Manchester.
Our new President takes over.
A.G.M.
President Usha handed over the Chain of Office to Jill Dewsnap who is now the 66th President of our Club. The President Elect is Linda Fayers and Vice President is Janette Meadowcroft. The Executive Committe are shown with President Jill and IPP Usha.
At the moving ceremony to close President Usha's year of office, candles were lit representing all aspects of Soroptimism. Usha is shown lighting the candle of Achievement watched by Membership Secretary Alicia. The Outgoing President invested the new President with her Chain of Office and was presented with her Past President's Badge. Jill accepted the role as President and in her speech told the Club that her Charity will be the Young Oncology Unit at Christie Hospital. Y.O.U. specialises in the care and treatment of teenagers and young people who have cancer. Afterwards to Club socialised with a delicious supper and we look forward to the coming year.
7 March 2009. SHOE PYRAMID, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
SI Ashton built a Pyramid of Shoes at Ashton under Lyne Market Ground starting at 9 am.
Each pair of shoes represented 2 people often women and children who have lost their lives or limbs as a result of the accidental encounter with landmines or cluster bombs left behind after conflict.The Club received a great deal of support from the people of Tameside and number of shoes donated rose steadily (as did the Pyramid!) throughout the day.
We were delighted that the MP for Ashton under Lyne David Heyes took time out of his busy schedule to support us and he gave over a bag of shoes donated by his constituency office;he stayed and chatted with Club members who were on duty at the stall.
SI Ashton also acknowledge the support given by the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde James Purnell and Andrew Gwynne MP from Denton and Reddish.
Old friends dropped by including Councillor Jackie Lane and she is shown on the photo next to David Heyes President Usha is surounded by Club members including President Elect Jill.
Heartwarming incidents happened during the day.
One young woman who came to look at the well put together display organised by Membership Secretary Alicia; took off her boots,donated them and went home in some other shoes she had bought whilst shopping. Some people who stayed to talk, walked away clutching Red Cross and Land Mine Action literature thus learning more about the devastation caused by the effects of cluster bombs and landmines and the reasons for the Movement supporting International Women's Day.
The British Red Cross took away 650 pairs of shoes after the event for resale through their retail outlets and recycle any others and they were delighted with the day's efforts
The Club is very grateful to the staff of Ashton Market ground for all their assistance, to everyone who took the trouble to search out shoes for the Pyramid (we could not have done it without you!)
Thanks also go to everyone at Tameside Reporter for allowing a Borough wide collection to be held there and not least to all from the Club who supported this International Women's Day Event.
Prior to the event President Usha and Margaret Emsley were photographed with the Pyramid frame, used as a template on the day and other publicity included the link below to Tameside Radio.
Later that evening after the Event was over President Usha and other members attended the Charter Dinner of SI Manchester, our Mother Club, held at Old Trafford Cricket ground, Manchester.
24 February 2009.
The Club Executive Committee met at the home of President Usha and before the meeting sorted some shoes ready for the building of the Shoe Pyramid on 7 March.
As it was Shrove Tuesday President Usha cooked pancakes for the group at the close of the evening. Yummy!!!!
IPP Gina and President Usha making pancakes for the members of the Executive Committee Shrove Tuesday 2009.
23 February 2009.
President Usha and Club members attended the Annual Dinner of Rotary International of Ashton under Lyne held this year at Portland Basin Bistro.
16 February 2009.
Dr Rubab Athar, President Usha, Dr Athar Siddiqui and Alicia Harris, Club Membership Secretary.
At a busy Speaker Meeting the Club welcomed Dr Athar Siddiqui and Dr Rubab Athar. They spoke very movingly about the Hareem Tehreen School they founded in Pakistan in memory of their late daughters. The Club were greatly interested in the work of the school and this was reflected as Alicia Harris gave the Vote of Thanks at the conclusion of the Meeting.
President Usha welcoming the new member. The Club member who introduced her looks on holding a candle.
Prior to the talk and after an excellent meal at the start of the meeting President Usha inducted a new member into the Club and this brings our total to 41.
11 February 2009. A group from the Club visited the world famous Chetham's School of Music in Manchester for a Heritage Evening. Organised by Social Secretary Jacque who writes:-
The group of 15 visited the 12th Century School of Music and enjoyed a concert given by year 11 students studying at the school and who played to perfection. This took place in the Medieval Baronial Hall which gave it a very atmospheric aura.
Then followed a fascinating tour of the buildings including the famous Library with its chained books and where Karl Marx once studied. The Occultist John Dee who was Queen Elizabeth the 1st's Mystical Astrologer also studied at the Library. After a delicious buffet supper Jacque was left wondering that if the food was anything to go by she would not mind being a student at"Chet's"
3 February 2009.
Club members were delighted to hear that Sharman Birtles (see her other appointment in 2008 News) has been appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.
A member with a wide variety of interests, not least a passion for soccer, Sharman is relishing the challenge of her new role which she takes up with immediate effect.
January 2009.
The unloading of the container and its subsequent distribution took some months.However the Club was delighted to receive these photographs early in 2009.
This photo shows Mary Woodworth at Nansomba Centre with a group of boys receiving their pants.
Mary tells us that the rest of the underwear was distributed to the other 12 centres and that the children were delighted.
A young boy checking out his new boxer shorts!
Since the start of this Project undertaken by the Club the number of children helped by FOMO has risen to over 5,500 and the Charity is now active in 13 centres in Malawi.
SI Ashton gratefully acknowledge the use of the photos and more information about FOMO is on the links page.
The Library at Waterloo Primary School and the Women's Project.
These are two of the Projects that the Club will continue to support throughout the year.
Click here to read our archive of earlier events.
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