Plain Sailing at Soroptimists’ Charter Dinner
Pat Williams, President of SI Crosby, welcomed over one hundred guests to the club’s recent charter dinner. In keeping with President Pat’s leisure interests, and Crosby’s coastal location, the evening had a nautical theme.
Guest speaker was Cedric Loughran, formerly in the Merchant Navy and now a marine surveyor in the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Commander Loughran has been a keen Naval Reservist for nearly three decades and was awarded the Reserve Decoration in 1995. His address ranged widely - from an overview of Liverpool’s maritime past to details of its current trading opportunities, via many personal anecdotes from a life devoted to the sea.
Other special guests included the Mayor of Sefton, Councillor Paul Tweed, who spoke warmly about SI Crosby’s seventy-year record of service in the local community. Bill Jenkins, President of the Rotary Club of Crosby (also chartered in 1938) presented an engraved paperweight to commemorate the special anniversary, and praised the impact of Soroptimist International on the world scene. In response Val Moss, President of SI South Lancashire Region, outlined some of the challenges that now face Soroptimists as they continue to work on behalf of women and girls.
President Pat was also delighted to welcome Immediate Past International President Lynn Dunning - a longstanding “good friend” of the club - as well as her family and personal friends who have been so supportive during her term of office.
During the meal the Wyndham String Quartet entertained guests. This opportunity arose out of SI Crosby’s contact with two local musicians, members of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, when seeking sponsorship for the orchestra’s tour of Austria in summer 2008. The quartet played a varied programme including - to the delight of President Pat - many pieces linked to her love of the sea.