Soroptimist International
Denbigh, Ruthin and District

So what do we do? Here are some examples of the work of the local club during the last three years.

We support local community activities, for example by providing emergency supplies to the local Women's Refuge. We take part in consultations on local health and community issues. We support local charities such as Ty Croeso (Dawn Elizabeth House), a residential family unit for parents of very sick children at Glan Clwyd Hospital.We campaign to raise awareness of women's health and welfare issues. For example, in partnership with the British Heart Foundation and St John Ambulance Brigade we organised an event to emphasise that heart disease is a problem for women as well as men. This included training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (see picture).

On the international front we work to raise funds for major projects which involve Soroptimists worldwide

In September 2006 we participated in an international sponsored walk, "Women Walking for Women". Thirteen of our members (including one on crutches!), 3 daughters, 2 partners and 3 dogs, enjoyed a walk on Moel Famau in support of women survivors of war in Bosnia, Rwanda and Afghanistan. We finished the day with supper at a member's home and raised over £500 in total.

Shortly afterwards, our President held a reception and information evening for new members at her home.

In June 2007 we visited the Police Helicopter Base in Rhuddlan, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

The Christmas meeting in 2007 took the form of a buffet supper preceded by a master class in Christmas flower arranging. Every member who attended was able to take home an impressive arrangement of her own creation

Earlier in 2007 we began a series of activities designed to raise funds for local charities:St Kentigern's hospice; Breast Cancer Research and Alzheimer's Disease Research.

This started with a "Biodiversity" evening at the home of Mrs Marj Richards, where plant sales, displays of conservation projects and a visit from the North Wales Bird Trust formed the backdrop for a delicious barbecue supper.

Our picture shows President Mrs Carole Crosby with one of the more unusual guests.

September saw a major fund raising event which started small but grew beyond our expectations. At the home of Mrs Sue Ellis-Roberts, lunch in the garden, prepared and served by members and friends, was followed by an auction of wonderful goods and services donated by a wide range of companies and individuals.

Here we see Treasurer Miss Mair Jones looking delighted as the till rings yet again, helping to bring the total raised for Breakthrough Breast Cancer to almost £7000.

As the winter progressed, further funds were raised for these charities by a Thai lunch, given by President Carole and a welcome post-Christmas lunch at the home of Mrs Anne Hughes.

All Club members contributed to our fund-raising events in some way or other, either at the larger events described above or by individual efforts which are too numerous to list but just as important, such as hosting supper events, making and selling cakes and preserves, or by working in small groups on innovative projects

In total, this enabled us to donate over £11,000 to our chosen charities in the year 2007/8.

All these activites are termed "Programme Action". This is the binding force of Soroptimism to which all members are committed. As women in business, management and the professions we use our talents, experience and networks to help improve the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves, especially women and children.

You can learn more about Programme Action by visiting the UK Programme Action Committee website.

In the following year (2008/09) our president was Mrs Nia Catrin Lyon. The first meeting of the year was addressed by one of our members, Dr Non Owen, who gave a fascinating account of her work as a medical herbalist, showing how herbal medicines are produced and administered. We all felt calm and relaxed at the end of the evening.

June 2008 started in fine style with a fund raising lunch at the home of Mrs Rhiannon Rogers, a member who is famous for her home cooking. We enjoyed a delicious meal in the garden on one of the rare sunny days of that summer. Later that month our summer outing took us to the oldest house in Ruthin, Nantclwyd House, which dates from the fifteenth century and has been beautifully restored. Dinner followed at a local restaurant.

In July we were inspired by a visit from Mrs Anne McDonald MBE, an ambassador for the Soroptimist International Project Sierra. Hearing a first hand account of the work to provide hope and homes for children in Sierra Leone encouraged us in our fund raising efforts and the Club was able to send £1300 to this cause. Our President organised a "Champagne and Strawberries" lunch in support of Project Sierra during August at her home, which was a great success and much enjoyed, even though this time the summer weather ran true to form.

After the August break we were entertained at our first meeting by a local raconteur, Ruth Moore Williams who performed monologues on the theme of "Grumpy Old Women". Our Friendship Lunch took place in early October, closely followed by a Quiz Night for teams from local organisations. These enjoyable events lifted the spirits of Club members and their guests, providing a welcome antidote to the economic gloom and dreary weather. Perhaps because of the general dreariness of the year end, Club members let their hair down in a big way at our Christmas Dinner in December 2008.

I have no idea what these normally sensible women are doing!

During early 2009 we enjoyed an interesting programme of speakers, notably Mr Bobi Owen who entertained us in Febuary with tales of "Scandals in Denbigh and Ruthin" At the same time we continued our fund raising activites and were able to donate £1000 to the Stroke Association and £3750 to the Alzheimer's Society (President Nia's chosen charities for the year). We also maintained our service endeavours and participated in local and national lobbying on topics as diverse as cluster munitions and palliative care.

Here we see our President making the presentation to a representative of the Alzheimer's society

And here President Nia presents a cheque to the Stroke Association.

In April 2009 Mrs Mary Steel was installed as President for the year. On account of the economic crisis of the time, it has been decided that our emphasis during 2009/10 will move from fund raising to service and building the organisation. Details of our activites so far can be found on our "Latest News" page.

We hope that this page provides a picture of the wide range of our service work and social activites. Women who share our interests and values are warmly invited to consider joining us.

To find out about membership please click here.