To celebrate the 85th Anniversary of Soroptimist International of Croydon and District four Science Awards of £250 each are being offered to Year 8 girls During this anniversary year, the Croydon Soroptimists are offering four Science Awards of £250 each for environment projects devised by Year 8 girls. The purpose of these awards is to encourage girls to take an interest in science and to develop their research, planning and communication skills.

Croydon Schools are being invited to submit projects by the closing date of 24 January 2013. A judging panel will consider the submissions during February and March 2013 and the awards will be presented on 11 April 2013.

Full details may be downloaded from the Croydon Club website www.sigbi.org/croydon/ Soroptimist International of Croydon and District held its inaugural meeting on 23 May 1927 in Grants of Croydon. The first Club President was Mrs Bessie Roberts who was elected the first woman Alderman of Croydon Borough Council in 1935.

During these 85 years, Croydon Club has supported many local charities and organisations, undertaken many projects and donated many thousands of pounds. In 1993 the Club was instrumental in producing the “How to…” Guide for Croydon’s Carers. This handbook is still very much valued today and regularly reproduced by the Whitgift Foundation.

In 2001, in partnership with the Education Department, Croydon Club undertook a survey of working schoolchildren. The resulting report “All work and no play?” was featured on the BBC2 Working Lunch programme.

A party for Croydon’s Young Carers has been held annually for 11 years and, in September, the Club will launch the third Annual LOUD & PROUD public speaking competition for Year 6 girls.

In 2002, following Croydon Club’s 75th anniversary, The London Borough of Croydon granted the Club a licence to display the Croydon Badge on its documentation.

SI of Croydon and District is a thriving Club, and as a member of an international organisation, has links to many clubs and members across the world. The Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at the Shirley Park Golf Club and new members are always welcomed. More details can be obtained by emailing croydonsoroptimists@yahoo.co.uk or by visiting the Club’s website.

Based on information supplied by Patricia Painting (Mrs).