Santa completes his tour of Southwell, Farnsfield and the villages
23 December - Following his final appearance in Southwell on Saturday morning, Santa Claus has now left Southwell and returned to Christmas HQ to attend to final preparations before setting out again tomorrow to deliver everyone’s Christmas gifts. Rudolf and his fellow reindeer are enjoying a hearty meal to give them the strength and energy they need to travel effortlessly across the world in a single night.
Santa would like to thank everyone in Southwell, Farnsfield, Bleasby, Edingley, Halam, Thurgarton, Morton, Fiskerton and Rolleston for their welcome and generosity, helping to make this year’s collection one of the most successful ever, which means that we can look forward to continuing to support our local community in the year ahead.
The annual collection with Santa's Sleigh is major project involving all our members but special thanks go to Ian Robinson for once again planning the routes and calculating the timings with military precision; to Bob Callow for organising tow cars and rotas; to Ian Robinson again for his dedicated attention to the sleigh to ensure it was ready for action every night throughout the collection; and to our drivers Nick Parr, Alastair Murray and Alan Brogan. And, of course, to Santa Claus for giving us so much of his time at a very busy time of year for him.
We now need help in putting the donations received to good use. If you support, or are part of, a local charity, school, pre-school, youth, community, sports or support group and are looking for some additional funding, then why not get in touch? You can contact us via the Contact Us page on our website or email us at [email protected] to let us know how we can help.
Santa would like to thank everyone in Southwell, Farnsfield, Bleasby, Edingley, Halam, Thurgarton, Morton, Fiskerton and Rolleston for their welcome and generosity, helping to make this year’s collection one of the most successful ever, which means that we can look forward to continuing to support our local community in the year ahead.
The annual collection with Santa's Sleigh is major project involving all our members but special thanks go to Ian Robinson for once again planning the routes and calculating the timings with military precision; to Bob Callow for organising tow cars and rotas; to Ian Robinson again for his dedicated attention to the sleigh to ensure it was ready for action every night throughout the collection; and to our drivers Nick Parr, Alastair Murray and Alan Brogan. And, of course, to Santa Claus for giving us so much of his time at a very busy time of year for him.
We now need help in putting the donations received to good use. If you support, or are part of, a local charity, school, pre-school, youth, community, sports or support group and are looking for some additional funding, then why not get in touch? You can contact us via the Contact Us page on our website or email us at [email protected] to let us know how we can help.
Carols for Everyone rocks Southwell Minster and raises £2,500 for Maggie’s Centre
Southwell Minster was filled with festive cheer on 9th December when the crowds packed in to celebrate the coming of Christmas at the Carols for Everyone community celebration.
Carols for Everyone has been held every year (except in 2020, the pandemic) for over 40 years and has been organised by the Lions since 2001. A mixture of favourite carols, seasonal music and special performances, the mainstays of the concert are the Southwell Orchestral and Choral Societies, conducted this year for the first time by internationally acclaimed baritone and former Southwell chorister Marcus Farnsworth. The event was once again compered by the great Nick Harding.
Additional entertainment was provided by the ever-reliable Southwell U3A Recorder Group and the enchanting choir from Holy Trinity Infant School, many of whose members joined in the Lions’ energetic rendition of ‘The twelve days of Christmas’, complete with (almost) all the actions. New Organ Scholar Tim Selman treated us to a rousing rendition of ‘Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella’ by Denis Bédard.
Every year, Carols for Everyone supports a deserving local or international charity. This year, we chose Maggie’s Centre in Nottingham to be our nominated charity. Maggie’s, based in the heart of the City Hospital in Nottingham, provides a warm and welcoming space for people to go for shelter from the clinical, sometimes stressful environment of the hospital after their own cancer diagnosis or that of a family member or a friend. Understanding every person’s individual circumstances is central to what they do, so they can guide them to the support that will help the most.
Thanks to all those who bought tickets and their amazing generosity in the closing collection, we raised, after expenses, nearly £2,500, all of which goes to Maggie’s Centre.
As well as our thanks to the performers, we must also thank The Dean (for permission to use the Minster), The Minster vergers and staff, the Minster Concert Stewards, the Minster Bellringers, the Cathedral Shop (for selling tickets) and everyone who displayed a poster.
But, most of all, thank you to everyone who came out on a cold, wet night to support Maggie’s Centre and Southwell Lions’ Carols for Everyone Christmas Concert. We hope to see you all again on 7th December 2024!
Carols for Everyone has been held every year (except in 2020, the pandemic) for over 40 years and has been organised by the Lions since 2001. A mixture of favourite carols, seasonal music and special performances, the mainstays of the concert are the Southwell Orchestral and Choral Societies, conducted this year for the first time by internationally acclaimed baritone and former Southwell chorister Marcus Farnsworth. The event was once again compered by the great Nick Harding.
Additional entertainment was provided by the ever-reliable Southwell U3A Recorder Group and the enchanting choir from Holy Trinity Infant School, many of whose members joined in the Lions’ energetic rendition of ‘The twelve days of Christmas’, complete with (almost) all the actions. New Organ Scholar Tim Selman treated us to a rousing rendition of ‘Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella’ by Denis Bédard.
Every year, Carols for Everyone supports a deserving local or international charity. This year, we chose Maggie’s Centre in Nottingham to be our nominated charity. Maggie’s, based in the heart of the City Hospital in Nottingham, provides a warm and welcoming space for people to go for shelter from the clinical, sometimes stressful environment of the hospital after their own cancer diagnosis or that of a family member or a friend. Understanding every person’s individual circumstances is central to what they do, so they can guide them to the support that will help the most.
Thanks to all those who bought tickets and their amazing generosity in the closing collection, we raised, after expenses, nearly £2,500, all of which goes to Maggie’s Centre.
As well as our thanks to the performers, we must also thank The Dean (for permission to use the Minster), The Minster vergers and staff, the Minster Concert Stewards, the Minster Bellringers, the Cathedral Shop (for selling tickets) and everyone who displayed a poster.
But, most of all, thank you to everyone who came out on a cold, wet night to support Maggie’s Centre and Southwell Lions’ Carols for Everyone Christmas Concert. We hope to see you all again on 7th December 2024!
Autumn Quiz raises £2,300 for good causes!
Many thanks to the 30 teams which took part in our Autumn Quiz on Friday, 10th November at the Minster School, helping us to raise a fabulous £2,300, which will go to good causes over the next few months.
Rounds included subjects as diverse as capital cities, current affairs, connections and James Bond themes. The winners of the splendid(!) trophy were the Full Compliment.
Thanks also to quizmaster Graham Coulson, assisted by Ian Gillings and Ian Edwards, as well as Nick Turner and his team behind the bar.
Rounds included subjects as diverse as capital cities, current affairs, connections and James Bond themes. The winners of the splendid(!) trophy were the Full Compliment.
Thanks also to quizmaster Graham Coulson, assisted by Ian Gillings and Ian Edwards, as well as Nick Turner and his team behind the bar.
Carols for Everyone to support Maggie's Centre in Nottingham
Join us for our festive family concert, filled with fun, music and sing-alongs for the whole family to join in. Music will be provided by the Southwell Orchestral Society and the singing will be led by the Southwell Choral Society. Special guests Holy Trinity Infants Choir and Southwell U3A Recorder Group will add to the festive fun.
Every year, an outstanding charity is chosen to benefit from the event and this year, the beneficiary is Maggie’s Centre, based in Nottingham’s City Hospital. Maggie’s Centre provides free cancer support and information to thousands of cancer sufferers across our region every year.
Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children (5-16 years). Under fives are free. Tickets can be obtained from Southwell Lions ([email protected] or 01636 815454) or from the Cathedral Shop.
Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start.
Don’t forget to bring your jingly-jangly bells and toys!
Every year, an outstanding charity is chosen to benefit from the event and this year, the beneficiary is Maggie’s Centre, based in Nottingham’s City Hospital. Maggie’s Centre provides free cancer support and information to thousands of cancer sufferers across our region every year.
Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children (5-16 years). Under fives are free. Tickets can be obtained from Southwell Lions ([email protected] or 01636 815454) or from the Cathedral Shop.
Doors open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start.
Don’t forget to bring your jingly-jangly bells and toys!
Southwell youngsters swim along at the Swimathon
After a gap caused by the pandemic, our popular Swimaton was back in October. Teams of four are sponsored to swim 50 lengths of the Leisure Centre pool, so well done to all the teams from Southwell Swimming Club, The Scouts and Reach who took part in today's Swimathon to raise funds for their club or organisation. Our thanks to Active4Today for use of the pool and to parents, carers and leaders who brought their youngsters along on a Saturday lunchtime. And also to our two Rogers - Vaughan and Eastty - for organsing the event.
Macmillan Coffee Morning raises £1,700 for cancer care
A huge 'Thank you' to everyone who came along and supported our Macmillan Coffee Morning in September. We raised around £1,700 for Macmillan Cancer Support through the sale of tea/coffee, home made cakes and jigsaws (not home made), as well as a raffle and pub games. Additional thanks go to Lion Alastair Murray for organising the event, the Methodist Church for allowing us to use their premises and all the Lions and Rotary Club volunteers who baked so many delicious cakes and then helped to make it run so smoothly.
Community Garden Party is a blast!
The Southwell Community Garden Party on 25th June took place on a beautiful, sunny day at the Memorial Park. Organised by Southwell Town Council, the Garden party was supported by around 40 organisations - ranging from local charities and children's play groups to the ATC, community cultural and volunteering groups (that's us!), local businesses, NSDC and several caterers. There was also live music, maypole dancing and a wandering stiltwalker, who entertained children with balloon figures and giant soap bubbles. And hundreds of local residents, including many young families, who really enjoyed the day.
Although not strictly fundraising, we offered young and old alike the fun of trying their hand at traditional pub games - mini-golf, Shove Ha'penny, Table Skittles, Roll a Ball and Quoits. For just £1 to play all five games, players were competing to win £20 for the highest score of the day. The competition reached an exciting climax just minutes before the deadline, when Ian Baird-Smith scored 65 points, just one ahead of a player who had led for most of the day.
The Garden Party also gave us an opportunity to make contact with several groups and charities whom we haven't supported in the past or not for a long time, to discuss how we can work together in the future.
Thanks go to Bob Callow, Steve Scall and Alastair Murray for organising our stall and to Edwinstow Lions for lending us their games.
Although not strictly fundraising, we offered young and old alike the fun of trying their hand at traditional pub games - mini-golf, Shove Ha'penny, Table Skittles, Roll a Ball and Quoits. For just £1 to play all five games, players were competing to win £20 for the highest score of the day. The competition reached an exciting climax just minutes before the deadline, when Ian Baird-Smith scored 65 points, just one ahead of a player who had led for most of the day.
The Garden Party also gave us an opportunity to make contact with several groups and charities whom we haven't supported in the past or not for a long time, to discuss how we can work together in the future.
Thanks go to Bob Callow, Steve Scall and Alastair Murray for organising our stall and to Edwinstow Lions for lending us their games.
Get ready for the 2023 Duck Pluck!
Saturday, 13th May, saw an oversize duck lurking around Southwell Market when we were selling numbered ducks for our annual 'Duck Pluck'. This year, we are raising funds for the junior section of Farnsfield Tennis Club, to help them create and expand opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged youngsters to join in and enjoy the fun. Cash prizes will go to the holders of the winning numbers when they are drawn at the Tennis Club's open day on Saturday, 20th May by plucking three ducks from the pond!
Coronation quiz raises nearly £1,300
We were back at the Minster School on Friday, 12th May, for our annual spring quiz, when we raise funds to enable us to support individuals, charities, support groups, schools and sports clubs, among others. This year, it was dubbed the Coronation Quiz in tribute to the Coronation of King Charles III a week earlier.
Around 25 teams were pitted against each other, vieing for the coveted trophy over rounds as diverse as 'Let's go shopping' (not a popular round - far too difficult - won't happen again), 'That Sporting Life', 'I'll drink to that', Current Affairs, 'Where am I?' and the popular Connections round, featuring royal spouses and the cast of the Royle Family. Unfortunately, regular quiz master Graham Coulson was unavailable but stand-in quizmaster Peter Brooker made sure that Graham's place in future quizzes is not in danger! After a nail-biting recount, the Densa team was declared the winners.
Our thanks go Nick Turner and team behind the bar, Ian Gillings and Ian Edwards for their spells as question-master, to Steve Scall for organising the evening, the Minster team for setting up the hall and cleaning up after us and, above all, to everyone who came along, helping us to raise almost £1,300.
Around 25 teams were pitted against each other, vieing for the coveted trophy over rounds as diverse as 'Let's go shopping' (not a popular round - far too difficult - won't happen again), 'That Sporting Life', 'I'll drink to that', Current Affairs, 'Where am I?' and the popular Connections round, featuring royal spouses and the cast of the Royle Family. Unfortunately, regular quiz master Graham Coulson was unavailable but stand-in quizmaster Peter Brooker made sure that Graham's place in future quizzes is not in danger! After a nail-biting recount, the Densa team was declared the winners.
Our thanks go Nick Turner and team behind the bar, Ian Gillings and Ian Edwards for their spells as question-master, to Steve Scall for organising the evening, the Minster team for setting up the hall and cleaning up after us and, above all, to everyone who came along, helping us to raise almost £1,300.
