SI Chesterfield and District

Silence Speaks Volumes

A Silent Vigil to raise awareness of violence and exploitation of women brought shoppers to a standstill on Saturday afternoon in the Chesterfield Market Place when members of SI Chesterfield & District took part in the worldwide demonstrations held on this day.

The vigil was led by President Linda Moore and attended by the Mayor, Councillor Trudi Mulcaster and the Mayoress, Councillor June Brown, and Soroptimist Midland East Regional President, Annette Porter.

Programme Action Officer, Joy Bramley – the organiser of the event, was the only one of the silent demonstrators allowed to speak during the hour-long vigil. She talked to many interested by-standers. Her comment was that the awareness raised on this issue was far beyond our hopes and expectations. Members of the public were moved to lend support by promising to contact their MP on this very emotive issue.

Young Carers

Ten members of SI Chesterfield & District hosted 10 Derbyshire Young Carers to a special Christmas meal at the Ringwood Hall Hotel, Brimington on 6 December. These young people ranged from as young as 9 to 17 and each is a carer to a member of their family, which may entail looking after personal and medical needs, to household chores, which does not leave them much time for socialising and hobbies themselves. There are many such young carers in the area, and unfortunately it is not possible to give them all this sort of treat at the same time.

Our guests all tucked in to a three-course meal with coffee and mince pies to follow. There were the usual crackers and streamers and during the meal members of the Chesterfield Gilbert & Sullivan Society visited to sing carols, and children and adults joined in with the more popular ones. Their presence was much appreciated.

During the coffee break Santa made a visit and, thanks to Ringwood Hall Hotel, gave the children a selection box each and President Linda Moore gave each child a £10 gift voucher from the Club.

After the meal everyone had great fun with a round the table game of ‘Simon Says’. Our special guest the Mayor of Chesterfield, Councillor Trudi Mulcaster, entered into the spirit of the occasion and took her turn.

This is the second treat the young carers have enjoyed this year; another group were able to use the swimming pool at Ringwood Hall in the summer and enjoyed a BBQ afterwards. SI Chesterfield have been supporting these young people for several years now and hope to continue in the future.



For more information on SI Chesterfield, visit their website