Presidential Handover Luncheon

The Lions Club of Plymouth held their annual Presidential Handover Luncheon at St Elizabeth’s Plympton on Sunday 25th June 2023. The event was attended by 23 Club members and guests.

The Outgoing President Jill Owen welcomed the members and guests and thanked all members for their support with the fundraising projects and for their assistance throughout the year in the various activities involved in caring for the local Plymouth communities such as the soup-run and the collection of unsold food from various bakeries at the end of each working day and transporting to the homeless hostel in Milbay. Other activities have involved the donation of various items of medical equipment plus the refurbishment of a room for expectant mothers at Derriford Hospital. She was proud of the achievements the club had made during her period as president.

Past president Lion Jill proceeded to award the incoming president, Lion Bob Dight with the club’s presidential chain of office, newly purchased for the occasion of the club’s 60th Anniversary due within this presidential year.

Newly Appointed Lion President Bob Dight thanked Jill for her stewardship of the club through what has proved to be a very difficult period, mainly due to the after effects of the Covid pandemic and higher cost of living index. He indicated that he had been president on two occasions over the past twenty years of his membership of the club and is confident of the club’s future because each member has become a friend and he knows that we stand together and can be relied upon to help each other in times of need as well as serving the local community of Plymouth, as is the Lion motto ‘We Serve’

Ryan back in charge of the Lions’ den…

Members of Weymouth & Portland Lions Club were out in force recently at Weymouth Golf Club to celebrate the handover of the club’s president and vice-president positions. Members and invited guests tucked into a menu of chicken chasseur and salmon before the formal part of the evening got under way.

Incoming Club

President Lion Ryan

Hope MJF then presented Lion Julie Storey with a large bouquet of flowers from the club as a thank you for her year as Club President.

During the handover President Lion Ryan thanked Immediate past President Julie Storey for her time as an effort as the club President over the last year.

Ryan then went on to inform club of his aspirations to try and get 12 new members in the next 12 months, he said " Our club has done fabulous work in our community and to support some of our most vulnerable residents, to continue this work as well as maintain its current activities such as Weymouth Beach Motocross & Christmas Day Harbour Swim its important that we find new Lions to join our club."

Lion Peter Crane MJF has become the new Vice-President. The club continue to hold monthly business meetings at the Moonfleet Bowls Club and organise dinner meetings as and when required.

Lewie is 7 years old and he loves Lego! He got his first Lego set when he was 3 years old and has asked for Lego for every birthday and Christmas since.

Lewies love of Lego came from helping his Grampy build his massive Lego technic sets including an articulated dumper truck and container lorry.

Lewies Daddy Ryan has been a member of Weymouth and Portland Lions club since before Lewie was born. This means Lewie has grown up being a part of all of the lions fundraising events such as the Christmas day Harbour swim and Weymouth Beach Motocross. Lewie knows the money that is raised goes to help important local causes, so can normally be spotted at these events shaking a bucket!

Another event Lewie has enjoyed coming to almost every year has been Chickerell Steam fair. Lewies favorite part always being the model tent. Inspired by the other modelers Lewie asked for a Lego train for Christmas and a Lego train station for his birthday so he could bring them to display the steam fair. Everything on the table was built by Lewie, he just had a little help from mummy bringing it all together.

Chickerell Steam & Vintage Fair

Over the weekend 1st 2nd July Weymouth & Portland Lions Club were given the opportunity, free of charge, to have a fundraising and information stall at the ever popular Chickerell Steam & Vintage Fair. This was the second year that the fair had been organised since Covid, and was a bigger even than last year. Spread over four fields, the fair was attended by thousands of people over the two days. Weymouth & Portland Lions had a soft toy tombola and information stand, and Lion Kevin Brookes was selling bric-a-brac, DVDs, CD’s and old radio control parts and assorted bits to fund his next trip to Poland with the volunteers from ‘sendinglovetoukraine’. Total funds raised was £648.38. Our thanks to Weymouth Pavilion Theatre who donated pantomime tickets, Chickerell Steam & Vintage Fair show committee, The Harbour Terrace, Custom House Café and Howley’s Toys for donating other raffle and tombola prizes. Lewie Hope raised £69.88 with his Lego for Lions display stand in the Model tent.

Lesley Chudley