Virtual Lions Club
Plymouth Lions
Radstock & Midsomer
Norton Lions
250 Club
Blackmore Vale Lions
Weymouth & Portland Lions
Torpoint & Rame Lions
Illfracombe Lions
Callington Lions
Yeo Valley Lions
In Memoriam
Budleigh Salterton Lions
St Austell Lions
Clevedon Lions
Message from the editor
District Governor - Lion Lesley Chudley
March has been a month of conventions. First, I attended 105A’s in Stevenage, the following weekend was with our twin district 103 Ouest in France. This photograph was taken on my birthday at the gala dinner with a VDG from Tunisia whose birthday it also was. On the 17th I will be off to Blackburn to celebrate with 105CN and then of course it will be ours which I am really looking forward to. It has been very interesting seeing those things that other districts do that are the same as ours and those things that they do which are different. I must admit the length of business at the French Convention, 8.30am to 6.15pm was a little gruelling but was more than compensated for by the excellent hospitality and warm friendship.
I am delighted to say that 20 clubs so far have donated to the joint humanitarian project, and we will be able to present a
cheque for £1,575.00 at our convention. That doesn’t mean the fund is closed. If other clubs wish to participate their donations will be more than welcome. On a less upbeat note, the insurance situation continues to cause problems and I am in frequent discussions with my fellow DG’s and Chairman of Council trying to resolve the issue, but it is proving extremely difficult. I fully understand and share the frustration that this is causing.
I continue to visit clubs at their charters, fund raising and service events, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I still have one club to attend as their visit had to be rescheduled but would like to say a big thank you for the warmth of the welcome I have received across the district. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have worked so hard on cabinet and on the convention organising team. They have helped to make this district the success it is. I urge others to consider if they would like to step forward and be a part of one of these teams and build for a stronger future.
meet up to carry out such activities, where practicable. Where members live local to one another they can, and do, meet up face to face socially. Where location permits, the provision of manpower to other Lions clubs may also be an advantage.
It’s nothing new! The first Virtual Club was chartered in the United States more than 30 years ago in 1990. Then, just as now, it was to provide the opportunity, where the members/potential members were dispersed over a greater area, to form Lions clubs. These clubs do not take the place of traditional clubs but, by meeting online, may make it easier for potential new members to say “yes” to an invitation to join.
Our own South West UK Virtual Club was set up with this in mind. There are potential members out there who, for one reason or another, are unable to join a traditional club. We have seen clubs close due to insufficient numbers, leaving perhaps one or two who would have liked to continue as members. The Virtual Club allows for this to happen, and for those one or two members to continue to serve their community under the Lions’ banner. Regular monthly meetings are held via Zoom, and whilst a regular date is set, with the flexibility available to a virtual club, there’s no problem in changing if circumstances dictate. The membership categories, as listed in the Lions’ Constitution, apply to virtual clubs just as any other club.
In December we were the beneficiaries of Tesco’s monthly book sale, resulting in a donation to the Club of £290.
As a club, South West UK Virtual chooses its own service and fundraising activities to suit the locations of its members. Like any other club, members can
Our first major fundraising event was our duck race at Virtual Clevedon Remembrance Day Services, followed by our attendance at the Keynsham Music Festival. As a virtual club, 75% of the charter members must reside, or work, within the Multiple District (MD). There being other virtual clubs within the MD, the focus of South West UK Club is, of course, on District SW.
The world is changing and, for those wishing to work in a different way, membership of a virtual club may be a positive choice that a potential member may like to make. Any Lions who are aware of potential new members who they feel may suit this category of membership and would like to find out more, in the first instance, should get in touch with the Club’s Membership Chairperson, Lion
Lions Club of Plymouth had a very lively and active business meeting in February involving several presentations to local charities and member’s service awards.
Recently the Club awarded the Derriford Hospital Charity with a cheque to the value of £3,000.00 from a trust fund set up by the family of Reuben and Marie Heathershaw to cover the refurbishment of a room to be called ‘The Ocean Suite’ in the Maternity Department, which will help expectant mothers to recover from difficult situations involved in the stages of pregnancy. A letter of thanks was read, which had been received from Jamie Lee, the Charity Engagement Co-ordinator, with an invitation for Lion members to to attend the opening of the suite in due course.
A presentation was made to the MNDA charity, represented by Roger and Steve, from funds donated at the recent funeral of Lion Colin Stideford, a well-respected and active member of the Lions Club of Plymouth.
The highest and most prestigious award possible within the international lion organisation is that of the Melvin Jones Fellowship, which has been awarded to Privileged Lion Raymond Peter (Jim) Shipton for his unwavering dedication to Humanitarian Services within the Lions community as a member for more than 45 years.
Ray (Jim) was inducted into the then Plym Valley Lions Club from 1 April 1986 and was president on two occasions; he was a very active member of the Club and was a major instigator of many activities including the Saltram Fair, which will be remembered by most of the older-generation Plymothians. After the demise of the Plym Valley Lions Club in December 2014, he became a member of the Lions Club of Plymouth, where he has been actively involved in many fundraising activities supporting mainly local charities and worthy causes. Ray (Jim) is still very involved and organises the Christmas collections at several local supermarkets mainly supporting children’s charities, plus Skittles evenings enjoyed by all of his colleagues and families.
Geoffrey Woodland was awarded a Distinguished Service Award for his service of 46 years promoting Lions in the community. He was inducted as a Charter Member of Radstock & Midsomer Norton Lions Club, Bath, in February 1977.
With a move to Plymouth in March 1980, Geoff transferred to the Lions Club of Plymouth and was a Director of the Club from 1983 to 1999. He and his wife Pam have been very active participating in Club activities over these 46 years, to include many fundraising events over this period. Geoff is seen here receiving his award from Lions Club of Plymouth President Jill Owen.
Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions Club, following a three-year break, is back with Easter eggs in local pubs and cafes to raise money for good causes. The Club discovered that these giant eggs were no longer being produced; sadly, the business had gone under. Our District Governor Lesley Chudley advised us at our January general meeting that her Lions Club, (Crewkerne) was making up a hamper of eggs of various sizes instead, and that these had proved very popular for the pubs and cafes who supporting this activity.
Lion Margaret Burdon and new Lion Lyn Haile set to work on making up Easter egg hampers. Margaret’s daughter and grandchildren got involved in helping to make them up, as it took many hands to get them looking perfect. The club feels that it is not overegging it to say that they have achieved the wow factor. Thanks to Margaret, her daughter, grandchildren and Lyn for their hard work, the hampers have been distributed to the local pubs and cafes, which we would also like to thank as they help us to raise impressive funds for the Club through these annual activities.
The Lions Brain Tumour & Paediatric Cancer Appeal
is desperately trying to play catch-up after the fallow years of Covid, and so has launched
THE 250 CLUB LOTTERY
It costs £2.50 per ticket per month, with prizes of:
£125; £75 & £50 per month, plus an annual bonus prize of £250
Forms to join in can be obtained from:
PDG Lion Fred Broom on 01460 72305 or lionfarmerfred@gmail.com
Int. Pres Brian Sheehan’s motto is: Togetherwecan
By joining the 250 Club
Togetherwecanfind a cure
Our Annual Half Marathon was run on Sunday 5 2023 at Bishop member Lion Tim Otter, said, It blew the Christmas cobwebs away! It was a glorious day. In all, a highly successful event which will enable our club to help those in need. On behalf of the club, I would like to say thank you to the runners, supporters, helpers, and our sponsors for their support.”
The winners were: Male winner Michael Sandiford of Fordy Runs Running Club in a time of one hour 13 minutes 19 secs; male runner-up Chris Wood of Twemlow Track Club; ladies winner Gill Pearson, Running for Time Club in a time of one-hour 23minutes 59 seconds; and ladies runner -up Victoria Walls, an individual runner.
The various photos show DG Lesley and President Peter presenting prizes.
The prizes were donated by Victoria O’Brien Cakes, and very yummy they were.
None of this could have been done without a massive team effort from the club members and helpers.
We now have some 23 Giant Easter Eggs on display at local venues in the Blackmore Vale, with tickets at £1 each and the draws taking place at Easter.
We still have a great deal of fun and laughter at our social occasions and our next one will be lunch. As always, we continue to help those in need, especially locally.
Weymouth & Portland Lions Club approved a £1,000 donation to Weymouth Town Council recently to go towards the purchase of another beach wheelchair. These special adapted wheelchairs enable disabled adults and children full access to the beach and to the sea. They are free to use and are stored at the beach office.
In the New Year of 2023, we learnt that our President Lion Clive O’ Shaughnessy was very ill; he subsequently passed over the chain of office to our First Vice President Annette Evans at our 2023 Charter Lunch at Cawsand Bay. His illness has made it very difficult to fulfil his duties as he would like, and we in our club respect that decision and all he has done for our club and wish him well.
Local charity CHAT (Community Health Around Torpoint) made an appeal for assistance with food boxes for needy families in our area, and we were able to donate £1,000 to assist their efforts on behalf of the Lions club.
The local sailing club in Torpoint is one of the more deserving causes in our area, as it continues to provide high-quality training and support to the youth of Torpoint. It has identified that its safety boat needs replacement or repair, and the cost of repair is quite substantial. Torpoint Lions Club decided to make a £500 donation to the appeal to have the necessary repairs carried out, and we continue to help with bingo evenings at its club venue to raise more funds to aid its efforts.
Torpoint Lions were asked to help Liskeard Food Bank and we were able to donate £300 to purchase a freezer for it, with a further £350 to purchase a fridge-freezer for the new food bank, which is to be opened soon. These appliances are important to its operation, and we were happy to be of assistance.
Our club is aware that young people are our future and we do as much in our community as we can for them. Recently we were asked to aid the cost of sending up to 12 youngsters on a one-day seamanship course on the coastal barge Lyhner. This is to help give them experience and a first-hand appreciation of working at sea. The price for the day was high, but we made a donation of £300, which offset the overall cost. I hope they will come back to our club and give us a presentation of their day. (Photos to follow)
We are very lucky to live in a part of Cornwall that is quite beautiful, and as part of our commitment to the area we are active in projects involving the environment, and our Club Officer Lion Marianne Wooton keeps us on track with what is happening. To that end, we have made the commitment to plant six fruit trees in conjunction with the Friends of Thanckes Park in Torpoint, and we took part in another litter-pick as part of their initiative to keep our area looking good. Everything has a price and you’ve got to put in the work to get the benefits.
We were selling daffodils on two weekends (11th and 12th March and 18th and 19th March to help raise money for our charity pot.
We run a very successful wheelchair loan scheme, and since the New Year many chairs have gone out, and donations have been very generous in return.
As you can tell, we are very busy as a club, but as with most clubs we are short of new members so we are currently running a recruitment campaign, which has just been rolled out and will cascade through the villages on the peninsula.
Three new members are being shown around our holiday home on Golden Coast Holiday Park Woolacombe. Available to rent to families with disabilities; Prices and availability by searching Ilfracombe Lions Website at Website: http:www.ilfracombeanddistrictlionsclub.com or by calling Lion Matt Smith on 07889929874. Facebook: Ilfracombe and District Lions Club Twitter: @ilfracombelions
In early February 2023, Lion Kevin Brookes joined a convoy of vans organised by Lion Darren Tait from Callington Lions Club and together with volunteers from ‘sendinglovetoukraine’ helped them deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine via Warsaw in Poland. This was Kevin’s first trip, but their ninth!
On the 10th April Kevin will be on his way to Poland again, this time on trip #11
Follow Kevin’s last journey on the Weymouth & Portland Lions Club youtube channel.
(43) Trip #09 Trip to Poland 2nd Feb - YouTube
Kevin
Scan me!
Although conditions where - difficult Callington Lions have assisted again the Charity ‘Sending Love to Ukraine’ in delivering humanitarian aid.
At 3am on the 3rd Feb, Lions Andrew and Emma Burnard set off in the dark on the 5-day, 2,500mile round trip to Poland. There were 10 vans, making up this, the 9th convoy, each loaded with much needed items destined for Ukraine. As they drove further East towards Warsaw, road conditions became difficult with ice and much snow.
The requested essential supplies filled a warehouse. It included wheelchairs, generators, first aid kits, warm winter clothes, nappies and much, much more. Urgently needed items were immediately loaded onto
other vehicles for the onward journey to hospitals near the front line in Ukraine.
Emma added that the amount collected was due to the generosity of the people from all over Cornwall and Devon and further afield. Andy said it was good to be joined by fellow Lions from Tavistock and Weymouth and Launceston’s Unique Mobility for this trip.
After unloading and sharing a meal with Polish Lions, Ukrainians, and others, the 20 strong team started off back again in the dark on the snowy return trip. They were able to bring back Ukrainian refugees which included a complete family, and an elderly gentleman who had lost his wife in a missile attack. The refugees had been sponsored by English families.
Darren Tait said that this was one of the more difficult trips with the weather conditions not helping. He added that another trip is planned for the 9th March.
Andy added that if anybody would like to donate money towards the costs of the trips then please go to https://sendinglovetoukraine.org, it will also keep you posted on what is needed.
If you would like more information on Callington and District Lions, please contact Emma on 0345 833 7527
Alan was born in Salisbury in 1934. He was raised and schooled there and helped in his father’s bakery business delivering bread and no doubt overfilling the doughnuts with jam to be enjoyed around the Salisbury area. At the start of his career, he went to work for Barclays, where he met his future wife, Jean. Whilst working for Barclays, he went to work abroad in Kenya, where he obviously thought a lot about Jean, as he wrote to her, asking if she would like to live abroad. That must have been a leading question, as on his return on leave, he formally proposed to Jean on New Year’s Eve in 1958 and they were married the following Valentine’s Day, just 45 days later - once Alan decided to do something, he did not hang about.
He then worked in Nigeria and whilst there, two sons were born, followed by another son born during a brief visit to England. They moved to Zambia in 1969 and a daughter was born during their time there, completing their family.
Alan joined the Lions in 1971 while in Zambia and four years later was elected Governor of District 413, Zambia, for 1975-76.
Alan was instrumental in setting up the Lions School for the Blind in Ndola, Zambia and the school is still flourishing today, still supported by Lions, almost half a century later – a lasting legacy and a tribute to Alan’s vision.
The family returned to England in 1979, moving to Yorkshire. After Africa, they obviously found Yorkshire too cold and promptly moved south to High Littleton. Alan and Jean had a shop in High Littleton, a general store, and Jean also ran a clothes boutique. Jean always looked amazing and was a very stylish lady. Alan was smart and upright; he was no Arkwright; there was no spring on his till! With his generous nature, his loose change never spent much time in his pocket as he always gave it away, always finding a good cause to give to. Alan and Jean then moved to Midsomer Norton where they settled for the rest of their lives.
Lion Sarah OughtonAlan renewed his membership of the Lions, joining Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions Club. He was president of the club in 1986 and went on to serve as president a total of seven times; in fact, he was in his seventh year of office when he passed away. Alan was always keen to serve and had many district posts, culminating in becoming District Governor for District 105W (South Wales and part of the West Country) from 2004 to 2005. His final district post was that of treasurer up until 2018 when Lions districts were re-organised and District 105W ceased to exist. In all, Alan served the Lions for over 52 years. Alan was always a doer and chaired the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions Activities and Fundraising Committee for many years. Alan was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship in recognition of his service to the Lions and the community. Melvin Jones founded Lions in 1917 and in the UK, we award Melvin Jones Fellowships for dedicated humanitarian services. Jean was also awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship in recognition of her devoted support to Alan. Jean sadly passed away in 2018.
Alan was also treasurer for the Paulton British Legion until the organisation closed in 2020 and he was a valued volunteer driver with Swan Transport. This organisation, based in Radstock, provides transport for older, disabled and vulnerable people in the Bath and Northeast Somerset area who are unable to get around by conventional Public Transport He enjoyed doing this, meeting and helping many different people, and his passengers enjoyed meeting him. Alan was a very sociable and caring person; he took a genuine interest in people’s lives and some passengers even wanted to adopt him as a member of their own family He greatly regretted having to stop when he became unable to drive a few years ago.
One of the many things friends and fellow Lions admired about Alan was his ability to speak, without notes, being quick-witted and able to create the backdrop for a good story, a project or cause in just a few descriptive words.
Alan passed away on 30th December and his funeral was held on 30th January. He will be sadly missed by many, but we may find comfort in the fact that he had a life well lived and he will be joining his beloved wife Jean.
Each year during the run-up to Christmas, the Lions Club of Plymouth make an effort to collect money in entrance foyers of a number of local Superstores, namely: - Tesco at Lee Mill, Tesco at Woolwell, Morrisons at Outland Road and Morrisons at Plymstock and this Christmas past, the charities chosen to support were The Children’s Hospice South-West and Brain Tumour South West Research Plymouth University.
The donations made by shoppers visiting these stores contributed a total of £2,400.00 and presentations were made by The Lions Club of Plymouth President Lion Jill Owen in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Plymouth Councillor Sue Dann accompanied by her consort husband Councillor Chris Mavin at the Lord Mayor’s Parlour to the representatives of each charity.
President Jill Owen explained how the event is organised and how over the years changes have been made meet with present day requirements and to thank all the people who made donations totalling this magnificent figure in view of the recent financial situation.
The Lord Mayor responded with grateful thanks to charitable organisations who give time to support the needs of splendid organisations like the recipients of the presentations being awarded to today. The cheques were presented.
Firstly, £1,200.00 to Annabel Roberts representing the Children’s Hospice South West who responded with thanks to all who helped and those who contributed and she explained how well this gift is received.
Secondly, £1,200.00 to Tasha Carroll representing the Brain Tumour South West Research Plymouth University who indicated pleasure in receiving this donation and how it would assist in helping to find solutions to cure this terrible issue.
Callington and District Lions are celebrating the old and the new in their club membership. Lions President Don Berrey says that club membership numbers are looking healthy. In the last 2months Lions have recruited 4 new members, with another 3 further potential members in the wings.
With the ‘old’, 5 long service awards were issued.
The members being awarded here by Don are: Hewie Hewitson, 25 years, with Emma Burnard and Ian Robertson, 10 years of service. Karen Toft, 20 years, and Scott Delbridge, 10years, also celebrated their long-term commitment to Callington Lions.
Don added that the Lions motto is ‘We Serve’ and it is good to see so many willing to help in the local Callington and District area whilst having fun doing it. Lions assist by supporting local charities, individuals, and families in need, providing wheelchairs, ‘teddies for tears’, collecting spectacles, mobile ‘phones for recycling and much more.
In March, Yeo Valley Lions were invited to a tour of our local Air Ambulance base. This was to thank the club for the support we have given them over the past couple of years - £6,000 from last year's Golf Day, and a further donation from funds raised at last summer's Beer Festival. The tour was fascinating; the base is situated adjacent to the M5 north of Bristol and as well as the helicopter, they have three Rapid Response cars stuffed full of equipment that you would find in a hospital emergency department. They were between call outs, so we were able to meet the pilot and some of the specialist paramedics. On average they attend five incidents a day, a third of these by helicopter and roughly two thirds by car being so close to the motorway network means it's often quicker to use the cars. Half of the calls are to trauma incidents and half are medical, most of the latter are cardiac arrests, so time is of the essence. The photo shows our group with the green helicopter on a very chilly runway! This year's Golf Day is on 27 April at Tall Trees golf course near Bristol Airport. We still have room for more teams; for details, please ring Derek White 07973 640415.
On the 3rd March Members of Budleigh Salterton Lions Club visited the 'Open Door' Community Cafe in Exmouth and made a donation towards their ‘love your neighbour’ scheme to provide hot drinks and food to those in need. Open Door
Exmouth is (like Budleigh Salterton Lions Club) a member of the local community food network, called 'Mushroom'. Open Door has been at the heart of the community for over 25 years seeking to make a positive difference in peoples’ lives and to help those most in need in the town. Everyone is welcomeforgoodquality, affordable food, - anddrink, with 1:1 practical support, advice and counselling forthose in need. Theyalso have a communityfridge, showers, clothing including sleepingbags, and laundry facilities availableforthosewho are homeless.
Saturday 4th March saw members of the Lions Club of St Austell and their guests assemble at the Britannia Inn, Par, for their 54th Charter Anniversary Dinner and Dance. When all were present, Lion President Barbara Trenerry - the club’s first lady president - led in her top table guests which included Soroptimist President Jill Barnard and fellow Lions Past District Governor (PDG) David Fitzpatrick and 1st Vice District Governor James Mathers. Following the meal, a toast was made to ‘His Majesty the King’ and then Lion President Barbara proposed a toast to ‘Lions Club International’ during which she referred to the service given by Lion Mike Collins, a Charter Founder Member and four times President who passed to higher service earlier in the year. PDG David, in responding to the toast, praised the service given to the community by the St Austell Lions, referring to their fundraising annual Christmas Sleigh and store collection etc, the
environmental work of litter-picks and maintenance of a cycle path, etc and help and support for individuals and groups in society. A final toast to ‘The Ladies and Guests’ was proposed by Lion Philip Snell and responded to by Soroptimist President Jill.
safe and stimulating day once a week, when dementia sufferers, partners and carers can stay or take some time out for themselves, The group decided to ask a young 20-year-old Elvis impersonator, Emelio, from Bristol to visit. Myself and another member of the club were invited to share this event with them. It was both emotional and uplifting to see group members who had a job to remember their own names but were able to sing along; they knew every word, they danced, waved flags, and rolled back the clock, enjoying music they were familiar with. The carers and partners that joined us were very moved by the effect this music had, re-awakening long lost memories.
This was service with a smile and... a lump in your throat. Sue Miller and Frieda Pollock, Clevedon Lions.
Basketball prodigy George Payne is receiving help from a group of Weymouth service organisations in a bid to realise his ambition of playing for Great Britain. Weymouth & Portland Lions Club has donated £150.00 together with other service organisations in Weymouth to help George along his basketball journey. The item was reported in our local newspaper, The Dorset Echo and was featured for a week on Greatest Hits Radio. Scan the QR code below to read the full article.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed this month’s South West Post.
Deadline for articles and photographs for next month’s newsletter is 20th April 2023.
Until then……
