Inspiring Women – Sue Sljivic

Inspiring Women – Sue Sljivic

by | May 29, 2024 | Frodsham WI

Sue Sljivic moved to the Frodsham area a bit by accident.  She had joined a new start up company (RSK) which was involved in a project with Shell that was routing and consenting an ethylene pipeline from Grangemouth to Stanlow. It seemed sensible to have an office near the client, so she moved to Frodsham in 1989.  Initially working from home in a rented property at the back of Godscroft Hall. As the company and her family grew she bought a house in Frodsham and an office in Helsby.  RSK has grown over the last 35 years to be the largest privately owned Environmental and ground engineering company in the UK, it has expanded overseas into Asia, Africa, South America and Australasia employing over 10,000 people.  It is the largest employer in Helsby.  Sue who qualified as a Landscape Architect at Sheffield University sold her shares in 2018 and retired in 2020 just as COVID lockdown started.

Not being the sort of person to sit around and being unable to travel (which was the original retirement plan). Sue picked up a much needed project to refurbish the property at Runcorn Rowing Club (where she regularly rows and competes). The new boat house project rapidly became a big undertaking.  Planning consent was obtained 2 years ago and the detailed design, consent conditions, promotion and fundraising has kept her busy (see pictures)  The boathouse will be a major new facility on the River Weaver, including social area, boat house, gym, changing rooms, bar and kitchen.  It will be open for community use. Whilst it is called Runcorn Rowing Club, it is on the river right on the border of Halton and Frodsham and most of the river we row on is towards Dutton Locks and Catton Hall a beautiful part of the world.  The club is also the home of Runcorn Canoe Club, Runcorn Sea Cadets, Liverpool University Boat Club, with over 400 people accessing the water each week.  Anyone can access the water from the club and we have many visitors from other rowing clubs as well as members of the public paddle boarding and canoeing.  Funds are needed for the project and Sue is currently applying for grants and money making ventures in an effort to raise over £900,000 for the first phase of construction, which we hope to start next year.

Sue competed in the British Indoor Rowing Championships in 2023 and won golds in both the 2km and 500m races in her age group.  She qualified for the World Indoor Rowing Championships which were held in Prague in March, which some of her friends attended, but she was travelling to see family in New Zealand and could not attend.  Whilst she says never again, you never know!

This year Sue has just returned from 10 week trip to New Zealand and Australia. She is planning to row from Oslo to Gothenburg (3 days and 3 nights) with a crew of 10.  In her spare time she spends time on her Canal Boat, swims in Manley Mere and enjoys felting and sewing.

You may have seen her at WI meetings on the Bowls Green, at Book club or occasionally at the Frodsham WI Community Garden.

Inspiring Women – Vivien Shaw’s Book Launch

Inspiring Women – Vivien Shaw’s Book Launch

by | May 2, 2024 | Frodsham WI

Vivien joined Frodsham WI over ten years ago. She has held various roles including secretary and President. 

For 41 years she taught English in local high schools, including Frodsham and Helsby. When she retired after 41 years she wanted to keep working with teenagers; especially teenage boys who she found hilariously funny. Looking around she found the National Youth Advocacy Service who provided Independent Visitors for children in care. It was explained to her that they could be the only people in their lives offering support who were not paid to be there. She was matched with two boys with two foster families living in Runcorn.

Eight years later and many games of bowling later, theme park visiting and theatre going she is still involved with one of the boys who is now a young man. She still offers support to him as his life has become more complex.

Looking into the statistics she was horrified to  discover that in the UK there are 107,00 children in care. In some places like Blackpool it is 1:52 children. 10% of children move three or more times.

Having been a teacher and met many children in care and their foster families, Vivien felt there was never a novel around that looked at this subject. So, using her experiences in teaching and with NYAS she decided to write her own. 

“The Day That Changed My Life” was published in March this year. It features an 11 year old Harvey who goes into school to his final maths exam and never goes home again. The first chapter, much to the confusion of the editor is 17. That is because at the start of the novel, much of which is in flashback, Harvey is living with the 16th and 17th people who make decisions about him. He feels he never gets to make decisions for himself.

Following a very successful book launch at The Curious Cat, the new bookshop in Frodsham, Vivien is looking to gathering ideas for the next novel, which she expects also to be about a child in care.

So what else does Vivien do In Frodsham WI?

She’s the first face you’ll see on the door as you come in.

You might see her at the Cheshire Show as a steward, having sorted our entries out.

You also might meet her at Manley Copse, pink wheelbarrow to hand, pruning the roses.