At last a Ray of Sunshine
Teams of Lions from around the UK descended on MD HQ in Birmingham on Saturday 7th December to be trained on the use of the new plusoptix S20 vision screener, a remarkable device intended to detect vision disorders in young children as early as possible so that they may be referred to eye care professionals were necessary.
Lions from the South West were among those who braved Storm Darragh which brought winds in excess of 70mph and the issue of a Red Warning by the Met Office, some coming from as far away as Cornwall.
Those attending the training session, which included testing out the cameras for themselves, will train other Lions on the use of the devices so that they may be used in schools across the District.
The emphasis is to test children as young as possible and preferably before they reach age 6 when the opportunity to correct many vision disorders becomes much more difficult.
It’s been a long wait but significant progress is now underway.
Continued overleaf
New Year Resolutions?
Enough Said
Welcome to the January issue and once again I’d like to thank all of you who have contributed to this edition. Naturally, through December most Clubs have been actively engaged in fundraising which may account for the relatively modest number of Club reports in this edition but hopefully you will be able to catch up for the next issue. Please note that the deadline for the next issue has been brought forward to the 20th January.
Since we have now reached half way through our current Lions’ year many clubs will be holding their annual Charter celebrations in the next few months . If you wish to advertise your Charter event then I am happy to include the necessary information in the Southwest Post
IPDG James Mathers MJF
Lions Child Sight UK
According to experts 80% of the learning process is visual so consequently if a child cannot see properly it cannot learn properly and this is the significance of the Lions Child Sight UK programme which aims to ensure that children across the UK have access to early vision screening especially in schools. By working directly with schools, the programme aims to detect potential vision problems at a young age thereby allowing them to receive the necessary care.
Whilst eye tests and glasses are free for children in full time education unfortunately many parents do not take their children for screening, consequently a problem may not be recognised until it is too late. Lions Child Sight UK recommends concentration of vision screening on children in Early Years, Reception and Years 1 and 2 up to the age of 7 where approximately 5% of all children in this age range will have amblyopia, a treatable disorder which can re-
sult in permanently reduced vision when not addressed at an early age.
The screening devices detect risk factors for this condition including others where eyes cross or wander out, refractive errors requiring glasses and unequal vision between both eyes. Even more serious conditions can be identified including cataracts and eye cancer.
However, whilst the programme and the screening devices are only intended to be a simple test to identify those children with risk factors which need to be examined by an eye care professional it will support to get many children into the eye care system as swiftly as possible.
The Diabetes Quiz
Diabetes Awareness
Since it is Christmas, and everybody enjoys a quiz. Lets see how aware you are of the amount of sugar in some of your favourite snacks and drinks. Answers will be in sugar cubes where one sugar cube = 4g eg 2 slices of white bread contain 4g sugar or 1 sugar cube. There is no prize but you maybe ‘surprized’ how sugar stacks up in the food you eat.
An adult does not need more than 30g free sugar per day for normal activities.
❶ Coco Cola Original 250ml
❷ Red Bull Energy Drink
❸ Two digestive Biscuits 2x 14g
❹ 7 up Free 600ml
❺ Rice Krispies Cereal shapes 30g
❻ Kipling’s Angel Slice 32g
❼ Chunky Kit Kat 32g ❽ 1 tspn Tomato Ketchup 20g
Chocolate HobNob
One slice Fruit Loaf 36g
PORTAL ACCESS
“WHO CAN SEE/ACCESS MY PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE LIONS PORTAL?
… Good question! And there has been a lot of misinformation flying around about this lately.
So here is the definitive answer!
The straightforward answer is, of course, it depends. It depends on the role in Lions of the “observer”.
So there is a balance to be struck between the need to keep an individual Lion’s data “private”, secure and allowing those who need access to perform their Lions’ role in the organisation. This means that what one Lion can “see” may be very different to another Lion.
The need for security in line with the UK data protection legislation, including UK GDPR has been at the forefront with both the MD 105 Data Protection Officer (ie, ME) and LCI – both Legal and IT tech - in building the new Lion Portal. We had a very successful system under the old system of the MyLCI/MyLion and I was keen for this to continue.
For the “ordinary” Lion, this was simple under the old system. We had a “toggle” button on the details page where the member could make their own choice as to “private” or “public”. This is not there under the Portal… because the default is to make every Lion’s data private, unless there is a “protocol” for certain officers to see it. This is great! This means that only certain people can see your information and provides a good level of security to start with.
The issue is that the more people who have access to more data, the weaker the security for all of us. It can also be an invitation to Hackers!
So – if you do not hold any position in Lions, when you go on the Portal, you can see all the contact information for all your club members and that’s it!
The President, Secretary and Club Administrator: These are the only Club positions that can amend the data. Some data is mandatory, like name, date of
birth and email address, but some is not, like postal address. So, for example, if you are a club member and you discover your postal address is on the system, then you need one of these officers to amend/ delete that information from your record. By restricting this kind of access to these club positions, we are keeping the security of your data strong. These are also the only ones who can “report” service activities. Any member can enter service activities onto the Portal, but one of these positions needs to make it final. Service activities may also contain personal data as defined in the legislation too.
And “upwards”!. So, at District level, certain positions can see the data of all members in that District – and only that District. This includes the District Governor, their team, and certain positions in Cabinet.
If you want to know who a certain officer is in another District, this is what the Directories are for on the Members MD website!
At “MD” Level. Access is strictly controlled by the MD Data Protection Officer – so that only those who cannot access the data through the District Governor or National HQ AND have a need for their role, can access the data. For example, The MD Compliance Officer may need to handle a complaint without involving the District Governor. This will respect privacy all round.
By keeping the number of people who have access at this level to a minimum, we are putting in place “all feasible, reasonable and practical measures to pro-
PORTAL ACCESS
tect the data” of all members- as we are required to do by law.
It should be noted that Council can over-rule the MD officer on this point and have done so in the past. This means that should there be a breach, I am not responsible for the outcomes!
The Portal is built on a commercial platform, Salesforce, who have a contract with LCI in Oak Brook. In the new International Data Transfer Agree-
ment (IDTA – currently in draft at the time of writing), LCI are responsible for the security of the system overall. When this agreement is signed, it is my intention to publish it on the MD website so that all 105 Lions can see how their data is processed - it is designed for transparency.
I hope that the above has answered questions on this matter. If you cannot see data and you believe you should be able to do so, then drop me an email – districtdpo@gmail.com and I will make an assessment
News from around the District—City of Wells Lions
City of Wells Lions have ended the year with another round of fund raising for local charities.
A donation of £200 was presented to the Lawrence Centre based in central Wells, Somerset which is a communitycentred charity providing day opportunities for older people, including those living with health issues and memory loss.
A further £200 was donated to Wells Dementia Action Alliance was formed in May 2015with the goal to build an inclusive community for people with dementia and carers, improving their ability to remain independent and keep their right to have choice and control over their own lives.
Finally a similar amount was donated to the local Focus Counselling Group which since 1999 provides professional counselling to people in Bath, Frome, Wells and the surrounding areas with a team of qualified and trainee counsellors helping people worried about their mental health and wellbeing.
NEW PHOTO COMPETITION SERVICE
Despite covid we have all done some community service this awful year.
Show others what you have achieved!
Send your photos of your club helping in the community
Encourage other clubs, having fun, doing good things in your community.
Being LIONS
!
Send entries to: Lion Veronica Whittle
8 Hopcott Terrace, Hopcott Road, Minehead TA24 6DW by February 3, 2021. Winner to be announced at District Convention , 28 March 2025
105 SW District Environmental Project Competition 2024-2025
Has your club promoted recycling initiatives?
Has your community benefitted from bulb or tree planting?
Has your club been involved with a litter pick or clean-up in the community?
Has your community an area which has benefitted from landscaping by your club? Your Environment needs you!
Get involved and show them that we CAN make a difference and that LIONS CARE!
Each year a trophy is awarded at Convention to the club who had been deemed to have carried out the best Environmental Project within the District.
Simply create a document of your project, preferably with pictures, and say how and why you did it. Explain how this has made a difference to your community.
Send this to: Lion Veronica Whittle, 8 Hopcott Terrace, Hopcott Road, Minehead TA24 6DW to arrive by 31st January 2025
tel: 01643 707277 email: veronca_whittle@hotmail.com
News from around the District—St Austell Lions
Inducting a New Member
St Austell Lions were delighted to induct Aya as our newest member. Aya had been a Lion in Jordan some years ago and is now looking forward to getting involved with local projects.
St Austell Lions have been greatly assisted by a number of local residents who have collected whilst accompanying Santa on his journey through the streets of St Austell including an unexpected visit to this wonderful display created by Arran Legg Gandy.
In November St Austell Lions received an unexpected message from Gareth Vest (shown right in the photo), a member of Mevagissey Rowing Club that they were helping to clear accumulated waste from a room above the market hall when they had come across a certificate that they thought that we might want to keep. It transpired to be the original Certificate of Organisation of the St Austell Leo Club dated the 1st December 1968.
Regrettably that Leo Club folded some years ago but is presented here to Lion Jim Jiwa who was instrumental in setting up the Leo Club so many years ago.
Lion Aya (centre) with sponsor Lion Barbara Trenerry and Lion President Gail
News from around the District—Bridport Lions
BRIDPORT LIONS CELEBRATE SWIMARATHON WINNERS
On November 28th Bridport Lions held their Swimarathon presentation evening at Highlands End, Eype, Bridport. Medals, trophies and cups were presented by James Moore, Cargo Engineering Manager from AmSafe Bridport, the event’s main sponsor. There was a raffle, and the swimmers enjoyed an excellent buffet.
This was the 28th Swimarathon held by the club and the total money raised by the teams is over £2,000. The total raised over the years is now in excess of £92,000, enabling the club to continue to help those
Highest Laps Senior BLC Lifeguards
to Immy Taylor along with Kiera Vincent-Jones and Leah England from Bothenhampton Brownies to reward their exceptional effort. Other winners were -
Highest Laps Junior – Salwayash School
Highest Laps under 11 – Salwayash School
Highest Sponsor Senior - Swimfit
Highest Sponsor Junior - Swimcredibles
Best Effort by a Youth Team – the 3 teams from the SEN Swim School, Swimcredibles, Belly Flops and Too Pool for School.
Congratulations and heartfelt thanks go to all the swimmers.
News from around the District—Torpoint Lions Club
Our Lions club has been busy over the last few months with several appeals which have been of great benefit to the community.
• The local cricket club was supported to enable them to go ahead with their renovations and keep a long-established institution going.
• The local junior football club were once again supported to fund club outfits, and the
• Torpoint sailing club were once again supported to assist with their cadet initiative.
• The town council is being proactive in its attempts to refurbish play park areas and we were able to add a £1,000 to that project.
• Brass for youth received £250, and the
• local poppy appeal 3 choirs’ concert which is put on by our club raised several hundred pounds and a presentation was made on remembrance Sunday to the RBL.
• Our club has been able to pledge several hundred pounds towards the District sight camera appeal and we await the go ahead with that.
are in full swing bringing Santa to all and spreading cheer as we go. But business meetings still happen and in the last week we have had 5 new members badged up, and with a further 2 in the new year that will be 7 in total with the promise of another coming to his first meeting in the New year things are looking a bit rosier.
A major project has been taking place all over the world to send aid and comfort to the Ukrainian community, and our effort to that has been led by our President Lion Paul Goodall who with Lion George Dally and his wife, Lion Graham Evans, Lion Richard Pymm and several others have put in many hours of work and effort to supply Callington Lions Club with as much aid as we can.
Santa sleigh time this year crept up on us once again and we
We have also commissioned a local artist to produce a very large poster which is dis-
played on one of the Torpoint ferries to encourage people to come and join our club as part of the effort to increase membership and we were proud to award Robin with a gift of £100 to help with her artistic efforts.
District officer Lion Steve Morris received his 15year chevron and is well deserved, he works tirelessly in all he takes on and is a good ambassador for the club.
News from around the District—Blackmore Vale Lions Club
A Month of Storms and Peace
If it’s December it must be Christmas Bucket Collections. We have been all lined up to do a collection a week at the major shops who have been very supportive. That was until the Met Office muscled in! First three weekends SW England played host to three named storms. Bert, Conall and Darrah brought, and delivered with spite, torrential rain, high winds, fallen and broken trees (and buildings) and floods to boot. The effects included deluges, blocked roads and a lot of people not venturing out.
When they did get to the shops, they crossed the car park ending up like drowned rats or being propelled by huge gusts of wind. The result was less money than we would have liked to collect but more than we had expected and as one LION remarked “Money we did not have before”. Our grateful thanks therefore go to our hosts, Harts of Stur (…minster Newton), Waitrose, Sainsbury’s (both Sherborne) the Udder Farm Shop (East Stour) and Morrisons (Wincanton) and their very generous patrons for their tolerance and forbearance. Our thanks to the LIONS who braved tempest and floods to get there to receive the donations.
To change environment, and forecast, on a blissfully sunny, less cold but still chilly and windy day Blackmore Vale Lions President Peter Oswick, Poster Coordinator Julie Otter with Tim Otter wielding the camera went to present the prizes for our Peace Poster Campaign. Bishop’s Caundle’s All Saints C of E Primary School showed us around with
justifiable pride and the young people described the work they had done eloquently and with passion. The artwork on the subject of “Peace without Limits” was judged by all the LIONS Club Members at our last business meeting of 2024. Apart from having our socks blown off by the quality of the artwork all of us were hugely impressed by the originality of the posters submitted and the thought involved in them. A wonderful effort by children and staff at the school.
At the end of the judging session after detailed discussions two winners were chosen representing the age groups, up to 10 and 10+,involved. Quality was the norm for all of the entries but excellence defined the winners. Given the title it is no surprise one of the winners was a young lady who is a refugee from the war in Ukraine who has only been in the UK and the peace and quiet of Dorset for, as she said, “two near-
To cap the month off we held our Christmas lunch at one of our regular venues The Crown at Marnhull. Some chose the turkey, others the game. We all enjoyed ourselves as it was a chance to catch up, discuss social and non-club matters as well as a bit of business. We have one last Planning meeting for the Half Marathon on 2nd Feb before we wrap up for Christmas. We are still looking for runners and helpers for the race so please see the notes below. It’s a big event for a little club.
News from around the District—Blackmore Vale Lions Club
It
Firstly, we hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Secondly, it will be better when you have worked the mince pies off at the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon (BVHM)! Organised by Blackmore Vale Lions Club (BVLC) this annual race is taking place again at 11.00 at Bishop’s Caundle Recreation Ground (Race HQ at the Village Hall) DT9 5NG on 2nd Feb 2025.
You can enter on line (preferred) at https://englandathletics.sport80.com/public/wizard/e/28524 or the BVHM Website https://bvlhm.yolasite.com/ or by post (entry form on the web site) entries close midnight 31 Jan 2025 or at the village hall on the day before 10.00.
This year our chosen charity is a LIONS Cause, Diabetes UK. We are indebted to our runners and sponsors for the money raised which will allow BVLC to make a sizeable donation to Diabetes UK, support many other charities as well as needy and deserving people (who are not necessarily the same). If you want to help please contact Tim Otter, Race Director, on 07748 090802 (He will be away until 7 Jan) or tim.otter@lutraassociates.com There is plenty for everyone to do.
Answers to the Diabetes Quiz
❶Coco Cola Original = 7 sugar cubes
Red Bull =7 sugar cubes
Two digestives =1 sugar cube
up Free = 0 sugar cubes
Rice Krispie cereal ½ sugar cube ❻Mr Kipling Angel Slice =3 sugar cubes
Chunky Kit Kat = 4 sugar cubes
tspn Tomato ketchup =1 sugar cube ❾HobNob = 1&1/2 sugar cubes
slice Fruit Slice = 2 sugar cubes
News from around the District—Budleigh Salterton Lions
Melvin Jones Fellowships for more Budleigh Lions
The prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship has once again been awarded to members of Budleigh Salterton Lions Club.
Presented at the Clubs’ recent Charter Night, the latest members of a very exclusive club – the Melvin Jones Fellowship - are Lions Gavin Marsh and Alan Tilbury. Club Founder Member Lion Peter Fletcher was recognised for this dedication and commitment to the club with a prestigious Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship award.
All awards were presented by District Governor Kevin Moore.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship (MJF) is the backbone of our foundation. Presented to those who donate US$1,000 to LCIF or to people for whom a donation was made by others, it’s a tremendous contribution to humanity and to the legacy of our founder, Melvin Jones.
There are more than 476,000 MJF recipients and more than 100,000 PMJF recipients worldwide.
Club President Alex McDiarmid said: “Our Charter Night has always been the time to highlight members of the club who have gone above and beyond, not just in the previous year but throughout their time with the Club. This years’ MJF and PMJF awards to members made a special evening even more memorable.”
PMJF (Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship) recipient Lion Peter Fletcher (left) with Budleigh Salterton Lions Club President Alex McDiarmid (right).
Lion Gavin Marsh (left) receives his MJF (Melvin Jones Fellowship) from Budleigh Salterton Lions Club President Alex McDiarmid (centre) and District Governor Kevin Moore (right).
Lion Alan Tilbury (left) receives his MJF (Melvin Jones Fellowship) from Budleigh Salterton Lions Club President Alex McDiarmid (centre) and District Governor Kevin Moore (right).
News from around the District—Budleigh Salterton Lions
Tidings of comfort and joy, courtesy of Budleigh Salterton Lions Club
2024 was brought to a festively fitting end by Budleigh Salterton Lions Club, who took their pledge to serve the local community quite literally. For starters, the busy club spent many hours sourcing and packing items for their annual Community Christmas Hamper giveaway. The boxes of Xmas treats and essentials are passed to local community organisations who have asked for help. This year they, they were distributed to over 50 families and other households, each receiving a package of food and personal hygiene items to add extra joy to their Christmas.
The club were also supported for the third year by Otterton School and their community. The pupils got involved by, buying and wrapping presents for the family hampers, and were also recipients of Christmas treats from Santa (via Budleigh Lions), with 92 children in total unwrapping a surprise gift.
The Christmas giving continued with a firm favourite on the Budleigh Calendar on Dec 14, when the Lions assembled for their popular Community Christmas Lunch. For 2024’s festive feast, over 100 members of the local community sat down to traditional Xmas dinner in Budleigh Community Hall, with a full 3-course Christmas lunch sourced, prepared and served by a 20-strong team of Lions. Professional chef Lion Wili Rehbock led the kitchen team, while the front-of-house was ably managed by Lion Alan Lowe, while the Christmas cheer was kept flowing
by Lions Steve and Gill who served the complimentary drinks.
Those who needed lifts before and after were chauffeured to and from the venue by more Lions,
Christmas hampers being packed with treats by Lions Prue and Catriona
The Budleigh Lions Community Christmas dinner kitchen team ready to serve.
News from around the District—Budleigh Salterton Lions
and post-meal entertainment was provided by Lion Steve Clewley and community group The Harlequins.
A final finishing touch was added to the Christmas platter by the annual Christmas raffle, a fund-raiser for the club that also gives away Xmas hampers and goodies to the lucky winners
All in all, a great set of Christmas presents for the local community made possible by the hard work of all the Budleigh Salterton Lions Club and supporters who devoted their time, energy and resources to
make all activities a dazzling success.
Club President Alex McDiarmid said: “December is one of the highlights of the year for us, and this year we pulled even more out of the Xmas bag to really spread some Christmas cheer in the local community. This is what being a Lion is all about at a local level: putting smiles on the faces of people who need a bit support at a dark, cold and sometimes lonely time of year. A massive thanks to all the people who donated items, time and effort to make it all possible.”
More excellent news for Budleigh Salterton Lions Club
More excellent news for Budleigh Salterton Lions Club
For the second year running, Budleigh Salterton Lions club has received the coveted Club Excellence Award.
To achieve this coveted award, clubs must meet exacting criteria in all the areas of membership, service, LCIF, leadership and organisational excellence, and marketing.
They must have achieved a net growth of two members or 10% more members (whichever is greater) or chartered a new Lions club, in the current Lions year.
es for the second year running, with the award now proudly sitting on the club banner alongside the rest
Started a new service project, ideally in a Lions global cause, or participated in and listed three service activities that were reported to Lions International
Contributed to LCIF an amount equal to or greater than the club's membership total multiplied by US$10
Made sure the club is in good standing with club officers and ongoing training reported to Lions International.
Finally, they must have published their service activities through local media and social media
It’s fair to say that not many clubs achieve excellence in every one of the five categories. However, Budleigh Salterton Lions Club has ticked all the box-
Lion Rob, who audited and completed the application for the club, said “This is a wonderful achievement and something the club is immensely proud of. The criteria demanded by the application are not easy to meet, but I’m please to say that we did again and hope our commitment to excellence continues and grows in 2025. A big thanks to everyone involved in making it happen at a club level – and to Lions International for recognising our efforts throughout 2024.”
Club President Alex McDiarmid displays the Club's banner featuring the new Club Excellence award
News from around the District—Truro Lions Club
The Pannier Market have again been especially supportive this year allowing us to run our draws up to 3 days each week.
Many thanks to John Roach and E Cigs R Us for their great support!
We also thank Tesco for allowing to us to do two one-day Cash Collections for the Charities listed above.
Finally, we couldn’t achieve our results without our dedicated Lions , Partners and friends, who were on
During the last 3 weeks the Lions Club of Truro have been running Christmas Hamper draws at the PanTesco.
We have concluded a very successful campaign raising a great total of just over £2,156 which is an amazing amount. The monies raised are for our principal Charity St.Petrocs plus other local good causes .
This was only possible due to the wonderful support from the people of Truro and surrounding areas . A big big thank you to all who visited us and very generously entered the draws and donated at Tesco.
made on December the 21st and have since been delivered to the winners (First, Second and Third
Many thanks to Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s for their generous donations to fill our Hampers and to Lampier's Butchers of Threemilestone who jointly funded with us a £30 Meat Voucher.
Please remember that contributions for the February Newsletter need to be submitted before the 20th January 2025 to be included