In this month’s issue
DG’s Message
Message to Auntie Veronica
Plymouth Lions
Budleigh Salterton Lions
Fowey River Lions
Diabetes Awareness Day
Blackmore Vale Lions Insurance update
Weston-super-Mare Lions
Truro Lions
Weymouth & Portland Lions
Message from the editor
Sendinglovetoukraine
District Governor - Lion James Mathers
Final SWP contribution District Governor James Mathers
“All good things come to an end” was a comment regularly spoken by my late Father and by the time you receive this edition I will have served out my term as District Governor.
Before detailing my engagements during June I would like to sincerely thank all the District Officers who worked hard to make District 105SW a success. Your dedication and perseverance have been much appreciated. Since this will be the last edition of the South West Post under Kevin Brookes as Editor (and still some uncertainty about whether there is someone to replace him) I would just like to say that Kevin you have done a brilliant job.
completing his third consecutive year as Club President and delighted to hand over the chain of office to incoming President Carla Warren.
The following week we were part of a three-car convoy from St Austell Lions delivering what we had collected for “Cornwall & Devon Sending Love to
On June 1st Lion Gail and I participated in our regular collection for Ukraine before visiting Crewkerne Lions 42nd Charter dinner held at Cricket St. Thomas Golf Club with wonderful views, delicious food and a surprise announcement from PDG Fred Broom and congratulations all around. Lion Ben Osborne (pictured) was
DG Lion James Mathers
Ukraine” to their new warehouse premises in Callington.
At the weekend it was off to Blackmore Vale Lions 45th Charter lunch held at The Green Man where once again there was delicious food and excellent company. After lunch we were treated to a performance by a local female choir calling themselves The Songbirds. They were very good and compensated for the 3-hour drive back to Cornwall.
On the 21st June Lion Gail and I attended the rescheduled Weymouth and Portland Lions emerald anniversary (55 years). The event had been postponed following the death of PDG Mark Lockie and it was nice to see his widow, Steve at the rearranged function.
Lion Gail and I were most impressed when the generous promise of a lift to the venue from our hotel turned out to be a chauffeur driven limo. A great start to an excellent evening where I participated in the induction of two new members, their first husband and wife members seen with their sponsors.
The final Charter celebration took place on literally the last day that I was officially District Governor, 30th June 2024. As their 50th anniversary it clearly was a special day. Lion Helen Bailey (Mayor of Launceston) was present. She had previously been a Lion of her local club before transferring to Helen Keller Lions Club. Lion President Linda who has once again served for two consecutive years took the opportunity to handover to incoming President Lion Sue Tierney and Vice President Lion Shirley Perryman, all photographed.
As I step down from the position of District Governor, I am pleased that I leave behind a full comple-
Lion James Mathers
ment of Officers in the DG’s Team with the appointment of Richard and Phil supporting Kevin and I wish them the very best of luck for the years ahead. I will be taking up an important MD role, that of Compliance Officer which I will combine with a similar position in 105SW, in addition to District LCIF Officer and First Vice President of St Austell. And I thought next year might be less stressful!
Dear Aunty Veronica,
I was so very grateful when you presented me to DG Lion James as his personal trauma teddy and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time. You wouldn’t believe the stories I could tell you but I have been sworn to secrecy.
I have been there for James when he has needed me and at times of difficulty he has given me many hugs and I have been beside him at all times when he has been at his computer dealing with tricky matters and emails.
But my assignment is coming to an end and Lion James and I have discussed my future. We are both agreed that my adventures should continue by joining a convoy going to Ukraine where as a trauma teddy I can bring some joy and consolation to a young child.
Lion Ray Foss
On the 11th and 12th June 2024 Club President Bob Dight and Treasurer Jeff Hogan attended Age UK and the Mustard Tree to present £1,000 donations to each charity from the proceeds at the Silent Auction and Raffle at the 60th Anniversary Charter Dinner in April. Both Lions were made to feel very welcome and both charities were overwhelmed and extremely grateful for their donations.
Lions Bob Dight and Jeff Hogan presenting a £1,000 cheque to Plymouth Age UK & Mustard Tree
At the May Business meeting Budleigh Salterton Lions Club was delighted to induct two new members, Katheryn Hope and Colin Rowland. Both members have already been involved in several Club activities serving the local community.
Katheryn organised a litter pick around the town with Lions and other local volunteers and Colin has been helping Lion Tom Miner with diabetes awareness activities.
On Sunday 19th May Colin and several other Lions went on a 'Strides' walk around the Lower Otter Nature Reserve to raise diabetes awareness. The Lions took the opportunity to have a sit down on the recently installed bench sponsored by the Club.
Lion Richard Allen
At our June Business Meeting we were delighted to welcome two more new members Brenda and Peter Cooper who are already getting involved with Club activities.
Fowey River Lions have been helping to support a young family whose son has had several trips to Great Ormond Street Hospital. The initial visit by the Lions was made by
the late Tony Bartlett. Tony was keen that the Lions help the family but also provide a treat for Lewis. Fortunately, one of our members has good contacts and was able to secure a Manchester United shirt, signed by all the players, to present to Lewis. At our June meeting we welcomed Lewis, his parents and siblings. President Steve was pleased to make a presentation to young Lewis who is a keen Man U fan. The presentation was also attended by Tony’s wife Lynn Bartlett. We wish Lewis and his family well. We will be keeping in touch with them.
Fowey River Lions were invited by “In Search of Tywardreath” to provide a BBQ for their weekend event at New House Farm, Tywardreath. The sun shone and it was an excellent event. Members served tasty burgers and sausages, supplied by a local butcher, in baps with all the trimmings if you wanted them. The event was very successful and we were delighted to have raised £499 for Lions charities over the two days.
As part of the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), commitment to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the lives of those living with diabetes, Lions in Budleigh Salterton organised their first screening day on 2 June 2024.
The free event, which took place at Budleigh Salterton Public Hall, rounded off their busy Gala Week – seven days packed with fun activities and events which took place across the town. It also coincided with the Gala Week Treasure Hunt, a popular event that rounded off the week with 20 family teams working together solving clues around the town.
Thanks to a social media, local poster and word-of-mouth campaign, over 150 people had their blood sugar levels tested in a quick, five-minute procedure. 96 reserved places online prior to the day and 60 passers-by walked in get tested through the day.
The testing was carried out by a medical team from EMATS, the Event, Medical, Ambulance and Training Services Group, who were also on hand to give advice.
Though most tests indicated normal sugar levels with nothing to worry about, three test subjects showed high blood sugar levels and were referred to their GPs, while one was so high urgent medical attention was recommended. None of these people previously knew that their blood sugar levels were in the danger zone, so the event could have made a big difference to their future health by identifying risk of diabetes.
Thomas Miner, Diabetes Officer for the Lions South West Region, says: “With nearly one million people in the UK unaware that have diabetes, initiatives like this are vital to give the maximum number of the people the chance to get checked in a quick, convenient way. The success of our screening day shows people want to get checked so they can make changes to prevent the condition from affecting their life – we hope to roll this event out across the South West in the future to get even more people tested and protect their health”.
Lion Tim Otter
This month Blackmore Vale Lions has been dealing with events big and small across the gamut of Lions Life and our “patch”. First though a get well soon for our President Peter Oswick who managed to snap a tendon and damage the bone in his thumb whilst gardening. We hope you are fighting fit again soon.
The big item of activity in June is our Charter Lunch and it saw the Blackmore Vale Club and our guests gather at the Green Man in King’s Stag for a wonderful lunch and afternoon.
District Governor Lion James Mather and his wife Lion Gail were our guests of honour. The event fell on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day + 2 and Peter decided that this year our raffle takings would be donated to Help for Heroes. We donated £105.00 to this worthy charity. It occurred to me during the introductions that James and Gail had travelled further from St Austell to Kings Stag than the troops billeted in Dorset troops did from Weymouth to Normandy. Thank you it was much appreciated, as was an erudite speech and very clever joke.
We were fed and served wonderfully well by Matt and the Green Man team who as always made us welcome in the finest Dorset tradition. We were delighted to welcome former Lions and friends as well as guests from the Lions clubs of Crewkerne, Dorchester, Gillingham Mere and Shaftesbury, Bridport, Weymouth and Portland. It was pleasure to see them all and chat issue Lions and further afield. The world was well and truly put to rights! After lunch we were royally entertained by the Songbirds Ladies Choir under their director Becky who led the choir, and then the choir and the assembled guests in some lively singing including four different songs simultaneously. A wise choice of songs for the Rugby Play Off Finals Day “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and “When the Saints” resulted in a good time being had by all.
At our Charter Lunch on the 8th (D+2) The Songbirds sing, the
And so, to the small things. In May BVLC and its helpers turned out in strength to marshal the North Dorset Village Marathon. Organized by our sponsor athletics club, Dorset Doddlers, it placed us at strategic locations around the 22-mile (and a bit) course so we were seen and could talk to spectators and friends and colleagues of the runners. All part of our KLIPS (Keep Lions in Plain Sight) programme. For us a nice way to spend a Sunday morning and have a picnic lunch. For the runners not so nice as there are three major hill climbs on the course. Fortunately, no first aid required.
The Club ‘s gazabo and our tombola is a wonderful way to undertake KLIPS. It means we can go to small events where it might be used to shelter from the sun, as in Sturminster Newton on the 2nd, or when it’s slinging it down, as it did on the 15th in Henstridge, we can operate in the dry. Neither event raised a huge amount of money, but our “patch” is dotted with lots of small communities and no central town. Being there with the residents of those communities to help provide entertainment for the children (and not a few adults) at their fetes etc is important for them and for us. We also provide a bit of cover from the deluges. The weather on the 15th ranged from dire to idyllic. The “hook the ducks out of the pool” did not need the rods to hook the ducks out, the wind blew them out. Regardless we had two good days out and one large Lion, one medium and three small ones were captured by the children of Henstridge as were several in Sturminster Newton. And Finally, to round off an event from February a group of Lions went to Henstridge Airfield to present a cheque to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance for £1,500.00 raised as part of the proceeds from the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon. “Busy? Nah! just a routine month in Blackmore Vale.”
DG Lion James Mathers
We should all be aware that new insurance arrangements are in place but it appears that some clubs may not have been abiding by the restrictions that are imposed. If a club holds an event which does not comply with the limitations placed by the insurers then should there be an incident for which they are legally responsible they would not be covered and the members would be personally liable to meet all the damages and costs.
There is no point in claiming that you didn’t know.
What should you do?
Go to the 105MD website and select “Insurance”.
Download the “Insurance Update” and read it.
Comply with the directions contained in that update which will include preparing a Risk Assessments as a minimum.
On the website check the activities list to determine whether your proposed event falls within the Green, Amber or Red categories to see what further steps you may be required to make. If in doubt phone Lions MD Headquarters.
Please take these steps to avoid unhappy consequences.
If you want a link to “Insurance Update as of November 2023 then click on the link below. You will probably have to press the control button and click on the link. You should then download the document.
https://lionsclubs.co/MemberArea/home/lions-clubs-insurance/
If you want a link to the list of Activities in the Green, Amber or Red bands then click on the link below and once again you may have to press the control key and click on the link.
https://lionsclubs.co/MemberArea/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php? juwpfisadmin=false&action=wpfd&task=file.download&wpfd_category_id=102&wpfd_file_id=7912&token=& preview=1
The above links may only work if you are using a computer. If you are using a tablet or smartphone you may have to log onto the MD105 website by typing this into Google or the like.
Please follow the above advice rather than taking an unnecessary risk
The Weston-super-Mare Lions started the year by supporting Weston Hospice in collecting Christmas trees around Weston and the surrounding areas. The project ‘Pines for Pounds’ has been running for a few years and the process involves booking your Christmas tree collection via Weston Hospice online. This year we managed to raise £11k. Altogether there were over 50 volunteers including the Lions and other clubs. It is something the Lions will continue with next year as it was a thoroughly enjoyable day bringing lots of clubs together.
https://www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/
In March the Lions celebrated their Charter Anniversary meal at the Beachlands hotel. Their star guest was Peter Elmont, an avid fund raiser for RNLI. Peter was nominated as the winner of the Pride of Lions award 2024. He was presented with a cheque which he will donate to a charity of his choice and a voucher for a meal for him and his wife to enjoy.
The Pride of Lions award was Launched to commemorate and celebrate the life of Bryan Fowler. Bryan founded the Weston–superMare Lions club in 1968 and was a huge supporter of the local community. He was also the Weston Lions president for a few years. Bryan was a kind, considerate and generous person who always went out of his way to help others. The award goes to someone like Bryan, who goes above and beyond to help their local community.
Lion Kate Bach
Lion Kate Bach
In March a few Lions spent a morning visiting Uncle Paul’s Chili Farm. This is an inspiring place that offers support and experiences to people suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, mental health and so much more.
In a week hundreds of young adults can pass through and be in an open space doing various activities from learning how to look after animals and their wellbeing to growing herbs or even planting chilies.
Listening to various stories shows what a worthwhile and passionate charity they are. The Lions are so glad they have been able to donate to this worthy cause.
In July the Weston Lions will be holding their 15th Real Ale and Cider Festival and are currently very busy getting everything organized and prepared.
This year’s event will run from the 26th to 28th of July on the Beach Lawns of Weston-super-Mare.
Besides a great line up of music there will be a fabulous selection of beers, ales and ciders. All beverages are aimed to be as local as possible. There will be a selection of soft drinks and food available too.
The beneficiaries for this event are Diabetes UK, Great Western Air Ambulance, North Somerset Carers Support and Go Kids Go.
The Weston Lions are looking forward to a weekend of dancing, drinking and donating.
https://www.westonlionsrealalefestival.co.uk/
Facebook: Weston Lions Real Ale & Cider Festival
Lion Kate Bach
In April we had our third annual Mud Master weekend. An exciting mud and obstacle course race at Puxton Park. The race welcomes teams, individuals and clubs to complete 5k, 10k or 20k of twenty plus mud obstacles.
100% of the money raised goes directly to charity. The members of the Weston Lions club along with the support of other local clubs and charities, were on hand to make sure the event ran smoothly and ensure the safety of the participants. It was a great fun filled day full of mud. One runner completed the 20k for the third year in a row.
Well done to all the participants at this fantastic fundraiser.
https://mud-master.co.uk/
MIAB has been very busy over the last few months Lions volunteers have been out and about distributing bottles to the local pharmacies, doctor surgeries and medical centers.
Lion Kate Bach
The May bank holiday was taken up with the Visually Impaired Bowls. The weekend is run by the Weston Lions volunteering and marshaling the games.
The yearly event is held at Clarence Park. The competitors, their helpers, markers, umpires and officials enjoyed a great weekend especially when the sun came out.
The Weston Lions were very proud to be presented the International President's Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of our service, involvement and support for the Visually Impaired Bowls Tournament.
David Stott was also awarded with the international president’s pin badge in recognition of his personal commitment to the tournament over the years.
Social gatherings are always a great hit with Weston Lions and plays a big part in showing that beside all the hard work fund raising we take time out to have a catch up.
Over the past few months, we have had a meal at the Nut Tree, Co Co buffet and the Grand Atlantic hotel, where we had a guest speaker David Ray who spoke about Coldizt castle.
On the 21st of April Truro Lions had a gazebo at Volunteers Day which featured 30 stands on Lemon Quay. We were blessed with glorious weather even if Roary the Lion suffered somewhat in the heat!
We managed to spread the word to the public about what we as Lions do in and around Truro and enhanced our visibility.
We had a Tombola for cuddly Lions which raised £40 for our funds.
Well done to Lions Peter Read, Steve Powell and Liz and Tony Randall who organised and ran the stall and. Big thanks to Roary the Lion who did another star turn on the day (aka Liz and Tony) !Selection of photos included in the post courtesy of Brenda Read and Liz and Tony Randall.
Truro Lion Peter Read and his wife Brenda together with Lions Tony and Liz Randall assisted with the marshalling at the Cancer Research Pretty Muddy Run at Stithians Showground on the 11th of May.
Truro Lions have been involved in this event for several years and we were delighted to be invited to help again. Apparently, there were 1700 hundred runners taking part, both children and adults. It was announced officially that to date £92,000 has been raised with more monies expected.Avery worthwhile event.
Lions Liz and Tony Randall and Keith Wellington were also in attendance the following day the 12th of May marshalling for the Race for life also for Cancer Research UK.
On Friday 21st June Weymouth & Portland Lions Club celebrated its 55th Anniversary with a Charter dinner for 40 Lions, wives, partners and invited guests at Weymouth Golf Club. Guests of honour were Cllr Jon Orrell, Mayor of Weymouth Town, Richard Burgess, President elect of Weymouth Rotary Club and District Governor James and Gail Mathers. The celebrations kicked off early with the badging of two new members, Andy and Tanya Matthews by the District Governor, Lion James Mathers. Dinner was served followed by toasts and speeches.
Lion Kevin Brookes
Thank you to all those clubs that have contributed to this July edition of the South West Post. All articles and photographs please for the August edition by the 25th July. I’m not sure if we have a new editor of this newsletter yet. However, if you would like to give it a shot, either let me know or Kevin Moore, Richard Allen or Phill Bunt.
The next trip to Poland with aid for Ukraine will leave Cornwall on 13th July 2024 at 3 am. To donate please follow the link to the sendinglovetoukraine website.
https://sendinglovetoukraine.org