As Director of Fundraising for St Joseph’s Hospice Association (Jospice) Pat was on a fact-finding trip to Guatemala and Honduras. The association runs the main hospice in Thornton, near Liverpool, but also supports hospices in Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and Peru. 

Attached to the Guatemala hospice is a children’s home. The children are orphans or abandoned, and all are HIV positive. The Crosby Soroptimists sponsor one young girl, Maria Luisa; and Pat took the opportunity to meet her. This sponsorship, and all other money sent out, helps support the children’s education plus the drugs to keep them healthy - and thus improve their long-term outlook.

Pat said: “The trip was an experience of a lifetime, and quite life changing. It has made me appreciate how much we have and take for granted.

“I want to try and send a container of goods out to Honduras - goods that we throw away. At Jospice in Thornton, for example, we have equipment that is renewed every year. I cannot begin to describe the primitive beds that are being used in our hospices in Central America.

“We could also send basic essentials that could be donated - towels, bedding, kitchen goods, clothes, shoes - the list is endless. Yes, there would be a cost involved, but the value to the staff and patients over there would be so much greater.

As Soroptimists, we work together to ensure that women and girls live in safe and healthy environments, and have access to education. I am confident that, once again, my fellow Crosby Soroptimists will set to and give Jospice their support.”

After a guided tour round both Houses by one of the official guides, the Soroptimists enjoyed tea on the terrace with Mrs Curtis-Thomas. Although a social occasion, there was also the opportunity to discuss some matters of local interest.

Other aspects of the trip were many and varied. Some members stayed longer in Westminster to observe, from the public gallery, the House of Commons in session; others took the opportunity to visit the National Portrait Gallery; for a few there was even a little retail ‘therapy’. Later some decided on the exceptional experience of champagne afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly, while ‘happy hour’ cocktails in Covent Garden were an irresistible temptation for others. Choosing from the wide range of shows available had been difficult. However “Jersey Boys”, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, proved to be an excellent choice.

Whilst in London SI Crosby’s members stayed at the Soroptimist Club in Bayswater Road. Situated opposite Kensington Gardens, “Number 63″ offers excellent accommodation at a reasonable price, and was a pleasant surprise for those in the party who had not lodged there before.

The culmination of the club’s ‘Platinum’ year, this trip was an all-round success.

David Shilling, as a teenager, designed a hat for his mother to wear at the Ascot race meeting. This hat earned him a place in British design history: three foot wide, black and white, it established a tradition. Gertrude subsequently wore a different creation every year for 30 years until her death in 1999. Though not in the same league, the Soroptimists devised a wide variety of headgear - artistic, beautiful, colourful or just eccentric. Imagination had free rein. 

The six races - achieved by means of a set of giant dice and a chequered “race-track” - encouraged much audience participation as the “horses” raced away or, more often than not, ambled along. No fortune was made and, thankfully, none was lost. 

The 3-clubs meeting is an established tradition - an evening of fun, friendship and relaxation.

Crosby Soroptimists have strengthened their contacts with the Crosby Festival of Music and Dancing. This year eight members of the club volunteered to act as stewards during the annual festival. The Soroptimists assisted adjudicators, welcomed competitors and members of the public on the reception desk, and helped with administration.

SI Crosby’s connections with the festival go back to 1953 when the club gave two guineas as a prize in the Open Pianoforte Class. Three years later the club donated a silver cup (the Crosby Soroptimist Trophy) for the same class; that cup has been awarded annually ever since. In addition, for many years, Soroptimists helped at festival events.

This year President Doreen and Immediate Past President Pat were invited to attend the festival’s Gala Prizewinners’ Concert. On the programme was the holder of the Soroptimist Trophy, Kathleen Marray, who also won the prize last year. “It was a wonderful evening”, said President Doreen. “There was so much artistic talent on display - and I was particularly delighted to hear Kathleen’s performance. I sincerely hope that SI Crosby will assist at this vibrant local festival again next year.”

At SI Crosby’s 2009 Change of Insignia ceremony outgoing President Pat Williams spoke about her year. “We have celebrated our Platinum anniversary in good style. There have been many special occasions – for example, laying a wreath on behalf of Club on Remembrance Day; seeing the Soroptimist Trophy awarded at the Crosby Festival of Music and Dancing; presenting the new Tricia Fahey cup at the regional bowls competition; and viewing our long-awaited information plaque on the promenade.

“Then there have been all the social events and shared times; in particular I had the privilege of celebrating Marjorie Lawley’s 50 years of Soroptimist service. And to top it all off I was witness to a ‘murder’ – what a great fundraising event with which to round off the year.

“I have been delighted to welcome four new members – they have hit the ground running and are going to be a great asset to Club. I am sure that they will find it fulfilling and rewarding being part of the amazing group of women that is SI Crosby. I feel very proud to have represented you.

“To my successor Doreen - if you are given even a small portion of the unconditional support, encouragement and friendship that I have experienced, then you will have a very happy and memorable year. I wish you every success.” Pat then passed to Doreen the Club’s beautiful chain of office.

Members lit eight candles to represent tolerance, understanding, sincerity, wisdom, friendship, international goodwill, service and the Soroptimist Federation. This candle ceremony re-states the essential elements of Soroptimist activity and is a simple – but very moving – occasion.

In her installation address President Doreen spoke of the “stalwart” women she encountered in her early years as a Soroptimist – women who could be quite intimidating in their zeal and determination, but who were inspiring, too. President Doreen – a musician – then challenged SI Crosby’s members to act “with one voice” in working though Programme Action projects to advance human rights and the status of women.

On her last day in office, President Pat enrolled another new member in SI Crosby. She said, “I am delighted to be able bow out in a very positive manner by welcoming Yvonne as the fourth new Soroptimist of my presidential year.

“Yvonne is a continuing health care manager in the NHS. She leads a team that facilitates funding for people who need ongoing care. With a nursing background, and having worked abroad with Voluntary Service Overseas and Save the Children, she brings fresh expertise and skills to the Club.”

Yvonne responded, “Everyone has been very friendly and encouraging. I am really looking forward to being an active Soroptimist, contributing towards the club’s service in the community - and having a lot of fun in the process.”

Crosby Soroptimists recently presented their “Margaret Yarwood Woman of the Year” Award. This year the calibre of nominations was so high that the selection panel chose two winners. 

Denise Miller is a support worker for mental health patients in Waterloo. Nominated by her clients, she supports them in their own homes but also organises a wide variety of outings and activities. Always willing to go that extra mile, she speaks up for her clients and makes each one feel special. Denise has opened up new horizons for them and by doing so, they say, has massively increased their confidence and enhanced their lives. As one client put it, “She helps us leave our prison of aloneness”. 

Jane Morgan is head of midwifery education at Edge Hill University. However, it is for her voluntary work in Rwanda that she was nominated. Since 2001 Jane has campaigned for maternity services in the community of Shyira, in the north-west of the country. In partnership with many members of St Luke’s Church, Formby, she has raised funds to build a new maternity hospital and to pay for midwifery education. She also uses some of her own holidays to work in the hospital and help the staff. Many women and children in Rwanda owe their life and health to Jane’s drive, determination and energy. 

The citations were read out; then President Pat Williams presented Denise and Jane each with an engraved trophy, a framed certificate and a bouquet.

She said, “Our award recognises outstanding service to the local community. It perpetuates the name of our former member, Margaret Yarwood, herself a tireless worker on behalf of others. We congratulate Denise and Jane - two exceptional women - as the recipients of this year’s award.”

Crosby’s Soroptimists went back in time to the dark days of the Second World War to host ‘Death by Radio’, a fundraising murder-mystery evening. 

Members of the Ormskirk Theatre Company staged the ‘whodunit’ play. The plot featured a foul murder, a motley crew of radio actors, a dastardly criminal and two intrepid military police who - with the help of the audience - solved the heinous crime. 

The Soroptimists had decorated the hall with bunting, flags and patriotic posters, and guests entered into the spirit of the evening by dressing in costumes of the 1940s. During the interval the “NAAFI” served up Scouse. 

Light entertainment was in the capable hands of club member Ann Dickinson, who played a selection of wartime songs and incidental music, and the evening ended with a singsong round the piano. 

President Pat Williams said, “This was a really enjoyable evening - a sell-out - and everyone worked hard to make it a great success. It was held close to United Nations World Water Day, a day to highlight and raise awareness about the global water and sanitation crisis. In many countries women bear the burden of trying to cope where access to safe drinking water and decent sanitation facilities is limited or non-existent. One of Soroptimist International’s objectives is to work to improve access to clean water and sanitation. Therefore all proceeds from ‘Death by Radio’ are going to WaterAid.”

To celebrate their joint 70^th anniversaries, the Rotary Club of Crosby challenged SI Crosby to a general knowledge quiz. Led by President Pat Williams, the Soroptimst team - plus a group of club members keen to support the event - joined the Rotarians for a relaxing pre-match meal. Thence to the contest. 

Organised by Rotarian President Bill Jenkins, the quiz was in categories similar to those in ‘Trivial Pursuit’, and the teams had the option of choosing the level of difficulty each time. The questions, however, were so wide-ranging - and often so obscure (anyone familiar with growth rings on fish?) - that ‘level’ was sometimes a matter of pot-luck. Such is the frustrating nature of trivia.

The Soroptimists began strongly, crumpled under a Rotarian comeback, staged an exciting rally that brought them within a few points of the lead, but finally ran out of time. Rotarian President Bill therefore had the pleasure of presenting the new trophy - a liver bird - to his fellow Rotarians.

President Pat thanked the Rotary Club of Crosby for organising and hosting such an enjoyable event, and looked forward to a return contest next year.

President Pat Williams has welcomed three new Soroptimists into the organisation. Val, Sandy and Louise are the latest women to join SI Crosby. With credentials in nursing, research, lecturing, charity organisation and social work with young people, the trio will swell the club’s pool of expertise.

Presenting them with their badges and membership packs, President Pat spoke of how much all club members were looking forward to getting to know them better. “New members mean new ideas”, she said, “and that gives us as Soroptimists the opportunity to try out different ways of working. I hope that all three will enjoy contributing to Club’s service projects, and will feel that our friendship network is strong and supportive. I am delighted that each has made a personal commitment to join the thousands of Soroptimists all over the world who are working to improve society and the status of women.”