A special event took place at the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen last Saturday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the awarding of Soroptimist International’s charter, in 1963, to the newly-formed Enniskillen and District club.

A worldwide organisation, Soroptimist International (SI) membership works to improve the lives and status of women and girls everywhere through education, empowerment or enabling opportunities.

The lunch had been preceded by a regional meeting, wherein members of clubs from throughout Northern Ireland (NI) met to discuss a wide range of business matters and was chaired by NI Regional President, Barbara Carlisle.

Members of these other clubs were then able to join Enniskillen club members, and some also from Republic of Ireland clubs, at a drinks reception followed by lunch in the Kove Restaurant.

More than 60 SI members sat down at tables bedecked with posies of flowers in the yellow and blue Soroptimist colours and received a warm greeting from Enniskillen Co-President, Evelyn Hassard.

President Elect Lorna Dane acted as MC and kept proceedings flowing smoothly.

The happiness of rekindling old friendships and making new ones was tinged with sadness as tributes were paid to the memory of Sue Hogg, who recently passed away.

Sue, a longstanding, much-loved and vibrant contributor to the work of the Enniskillen club, will be much missed.

NI President Barbara paid tribute to the club and its achievements and reminded everybody of some of the more noteworthy happenings of 1963, the year of the then newly-formed Enniskillen and District club, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Profumo Affair, the harshest winter since 1947, and The Great Train Robbery.

After lunch, a magnificent cake was cut by two of the club’s founding members, Freda Carson and Lena Corrigan, both of whom thoroughly enjoyed all the conviviality.

Catherine Scott, Learning and Development Officer with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, gave a fascinating presentation on workhouses in Ireland, with a particular focus on the recently restored and reopened Enniskillen Workhouse.

Long Service Awards were then presented by Regional President Barbara, after which Co-President Joanna McVey rounded off the celebrations with thanks to all who attended, and to the hard-working organising committee: Philomena Cleary, Hazel Allen, Jennifer Scott, Lorna Dane, Margaret Read and Michele Kennedy.

Thanks also to Rev. Isobel Nixon for saying the Soroptimist Grace before lunch.

The impressive collection of memorabilia on display was testament to a happy and productive club which has contributed positively to Soroptimism’s goals over the years.

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