Southwell & District Lions Club (CIO)
England - UK
Registered Charity No. 1186703
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Just some of the things Lions get up to!
Please note that some of these photographs were taken prior to and after COVID 19 restrictions.
Celebrating our first Charter dinner since 2019
On Saturday, 10th September, we celebrated our first Charter dinner since 2019, hosted by our new President, Alastair Murray. Covid restrictions meant that the Charters in 2020 and 2021 couldn't take place, so President Alastair thanked his two predecessors as President, Ian Edwards and Nick Parr, for their service over the last two years under often difficult circumstances.
The venue for this year's Charter was, once again, the fabulous Floral Media, just outside Caunton, where we enjoyed welcome drinks and an excellent three course meal. Over 70 people attended, including current and previous Lions and partners, current District Governor Lion Chris Hibbert, Past District Governor Steve Scall, Past District Governor Guchuran Manku, all with partners, as well as guests from other Lions Clubs. We were delighted that two former members, who have moved from the area, were able to join us, along with Rama and Ema from the Reindeer Inn, who are so generous in their support for our Club.
President Alastair - resplendent in tartan kilt - gave a lively and amusing speech, thanking his predecessors, looking back at some of the hurdles the Club has overcome over the last two years and looking forward to the Club continuing to serve our community. District Governor Chris Hibbert awarded Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards - the highest award that a Lion can receive - to two long-standing members of our Club in recognition of their huge contribution to the Club and the community: Roger Eastty (who was a founder member over 40 years ago) and Michael Peak, who has been a very active member for 35 years.
A hugely enjoyable and memorable evening!
The venue for this year's Charter was, once again, the fabulous Floral Media, just outside Caunton, where we enjoyed welcome drinks and an excellent three course meal. Over 70 people attended, including current and previous Lions and partners, current District Governor Lion Chris Hibbert, Past District Governor Steve Scall, Past District Governor Guchuran Manku, all with partners, as well as guests from other Lions Clubs. We were delighted that two former members, who have moved from the area, were able to join us, along with Rama and Ema from the Reindeer Inn, who are so generous in their support for our Club.
President Alastair - resplendent in tartan kilt - gave a lively and amusing speech, thanking his predecessors, looking back at some of the hurdles the Club has overcome over the last two years and looking forward to the Club continuing to serve our community. District Governor Chris Hibbert awarded Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards - the highest award that a Lion can receive - to two long-standing members of our Club in recognition of their huge contribution to the Club and the community: Roger Eastty (who was a founder member over 40 years ago) and Michael Peak, who has been a very active member for 35 years.
A hugely enjoyable and memorable evening!
Yes It's Coffee Time Again
Come and Join Us
Could your charity or community group benefit from Carols for Everyone?
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Carols for Everyone will take place at Southwell Minster this year on Saturday, 10th December. If you would like your charity, good cause or community group to be the beneficiary, or you want to nominate one, please get in contact with us via our Contact Us page or email lionsouthwell@gmail.com.
We'll need to know the name of your group, what it does and how it plans to use the money raised. Don't forget to include your contact details! Deadline for applications is 30th September. Previous beneficiaries have included Framework, Chernobyl Childrens LifeLine, NORSACA (Nottingham Regional Society for Adults and Children with Autism), Himalayan Trust (furniture for Schools programme), REACH, Beaumond House, Tools for Self Reliance, Rainbows Hospice, Keframa High School in Uganda and SRiS (Support Refugees in Southwell). |
Can You Help
As we have previously reported, Southwell & District Lions have teamed up with Southwell Town Council to set up a dedicated fund which will ensure that all Ukrainian children attending schools in Southwell will have access to funds which will assist them in the purchasing of school uniforms and any associated items. This has been working well and we have been able to help everyone who has applied for assistance.
We would now like to take this in initiative further and expand the scope of the project to allow us to help and support the whole family. As you can imagine, many of the refugees have escaped Ukraine with very few possessions and need all the support and help they can get.
To this end, Southwell & District Lions Club, together with Southwell Town Council, have set up a Just Giving Page where we are asking for funds to help support the Ukrainians in our community. We realise that this is a difficult time financially for everyone but if you feel you are able to help us, then that would be marvellous. This link below will take you to our Just Giving page.
Thank you.
We would now like to take this in initiative further and expand the scope of the project to allow us to help and support the whole family. As you can imagine, many of the refugees have escaped Ukraine with very few possessions and need all the support and help they can get.
To this end, Southwell & District Lions Club, together with Southwell Town Council, have set up a Just Giving Page where we are asking for funds to help support the Ukrainians in our community. We realise that this is a difficult time financially for everyone but if you feel you are able to help us, then that would be marvellous. This link below will take you to our Just Giving page.
Thank you.
Introducing our new President - Alastair Murray
It's 1 July 2022 and President Nick Parr's year of office came to an end when he handed over the Presidency of Southwell & District Lions Club to Alastair Murray (left, centre picture), our new President. Alastair will be supported by Vice-President Ian Gillings, Honorary Secretary Ian Robinson and Treasurer Jem Berridge.
Presentations
President Nick Parr made a special award to Lion Martin Smith at the May business meeting, to thank Martin for his heroic efforts in helping to organise the stewarding, queuing and registering at the Brackenhurst Covid vaccination centre in the early part of 2022. It would be safe to say that the organisation at the centre fell short in the early weeks of operation, much to the frustration and annoyance of members of the public attending for the booster jabs. By working with the company running the centre and the Nottinghamshire Royal Volunteer Service, Martin was eventually able to break through the bureaucracy and barriers to ensure that enough volunteers were in place to make the experience of those attending as smooth as possible.
We also had the pleasure of welcoming Dee Lundy, President of Malgas Lions Club in Western Cape, South Africa, to the meeting. Dee was visiting friends in the UK and took the opportunity to visit our Club to see how we do things - and explain how things are done in South Africa. Dee was also a very welcome guest at the Ukraine Spring Quiz a few days later.
We also had the pleasure of welcoming Dee Lundy, President of Malgas Lions Club in Western Cape, South Africa, to the meeting. Dee was visiting friends in the UK and took the opportunity to visit our Club to see how we do things - and explain how things are done in South Africa. Dee was also a very welcome guest at the Ukraine Spring Quiz a few days later.
Martin receiving the President's Award from President Nick Parr President NIck Parr presents a Club pennant to Dee Lundy
Support for Ukrainian families arriving in our area
Southwell & District Lions Club has teamed up with Southwell Town Council to establish a dedicated fund to help support Ukrainian families arriving in Southwell and the surrounding villages, including Farnsfield, Fiskerton, Rolleston, Morton, Upton, Bleasby, Thurgarton, Lowdham, Edingley, Kirklington, Halam, Hoveringham and Kirklington. The fund is to be used to purchase essential school related items such as uniform, shoes, trainers, sportswear, school bags, football boots and calculators etc.
The Town Council asked the Lions if they could manage the applications and payments to the arriving families or their sponsors as they are not allowed to make payments to individuals. The Lions readily agreed to help and, because the Council funds are for families settling in Southwell, added a further £1,500 from own its charitable funds so the scheme could be extended to all the villages in Southwell Lions' area, whether the children are going to the local village school or to Southwell Minster School.
Southwell Lions President, Nick Parr, said: "We have already donated £1,000 to the Lions International Fund for Ukraine, which is channeled to Lions Clubs in Ukraine and the surrounding countries to provide aid to Ukrainian refugees, and several of our members have been helping out at the Kirkby-in-Ashfield sorting warehouse, organised by Magda Wasiewicz of B-Sweet in Southwell, sending huge donations of food, medication and many other items so generously donated by our community.
"We can't imagine what these families have been through over the last couple of months and our hearts go out to every one of them. This new fund is a great way to support the families who have left their homeland and are being welcomed into our community. We were very keen to find a way to help them here, so were very happy when Southwell Town Council approached us to manage the fund on their behalf, and to add our own contribution so we can help even more of the youngsters when they start at their new schools."
Initially, Ukrainian families or their sponsors will be able to apply for up to £100 per child. See below for full details and how to apply.
The Town Council asked the Lions if they could manage the applications and payments to the arriving families or their sponsors as they are not allowed to make payments to individuals. The Lions readily agreed to help and, because the Council funds are for families settling in Southwell, added a further £1,500 from own its charitable funds so the scheme could be extended to all the villages in Southwell Lions' area, whether the children are going to the local village school or to Southwell Minster School.
Southwell Lions President, Nick Parr, said: "We have already donated £1,000 to the Lions International Fund for Ukraine, which is channeled to Lions Clubs in Ukraine and the surrounding countries to provide aid to Ukrainian refugees, and several of our members have been helping out at the Kirkby-in-Ashfield sorting warehouse, organised by Magda Wasiewicz of B-Sweet in Southwell, sending huge donations of food, medication and many other items so generously donated by our community.
"We can't imagine what these families have been through over the last couple of months and our hearts go out to every one of them. This new fund is a great way to support the families who have left their homeland and are being welcomed into our community. We were very keen to find a way to help them here, so were very happy when Southwell Town Council approached us to manage the fund on their behalf, and to add our own contribution so we can help even more of the youngsters when they start at their new schools."
Initially, Ukrainian families or their sponsors will be able to apply for up to £100 per child. See below for full details and how to apply.
Roll up! Roll up for the Lions Spring Quiz!
Our annual Spring Quiz is back! it's on Friday, 13th May at 7.00pm at the Minster School, Southwell. This year, all proceeds will go towards supporting Ukrainian refugees when they arrive in our community.
100 years of service to the community
Five of our members were given long-service awards at our March meeting, to mark their many years of service to their community via Southwell and District Lions. The awards were presented by District Governor David Pope to (from left to right) Peter Bird (15 years), Tony Johnson (20 years), Ian Robinson (20 years), Keith Hobbs (10 years) and (seated in front, alongside District Governor David Pope) Mike Peak - with an amazing 35 years. Between them, these five members have racked up 100 years of service with Southwell Lions.
District Governor David Pope is welcomed to our 'business' meeting on 8th March 2022 by President Nick Parr.
Southwell Lions welcome another new member!
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Southwell Lions are delighted to welcome Nick Cocks as our latest new member. We were really pleased to be back at The Reindeer Inn for our monthly meeting on March 8th, when Club President Nick Parr was able to conduct the ceremony in person, with Roger Eastty as Nick's sponsor. The Club hopes to be able to continue meeting in person and is always pleased to welcome new members. Pictured left to right: Roger Eastty, Nick Cocks, President Nick Parr
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Lions and Southwell Scouts build homes for birds and bats
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Combining our commitments to the environment and to supporting youth groups, over the winter, we created a competition to make and decorate bat and bird boxes, some of which will go to Clumber Park but mostly to be put up in the refurbished Squires Pond area when it's completed. First up were Southwell Scouts, who built and decorated some brilliant boxes for birds and bats to nest in. Read more here.
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Farewell to one of our longest-serving members
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In February, we bade farewell to Paul Wilkinson, one of our longest-serving members, who is moving away from the area to be closer to his children and grandchildren. Over more than 30 years as a member for Southwell Lions, Paul has been a very active member, including two stints as President. After joining members for a vigorous game of walking football, we retired to our usual meeting place - the Reindeer Inn - for a farewell tipple and presentation at which we expressed our heartfelt thanks to Paul for his years of service to the Club and friendship.
Paul said: "I want to say how much I appreciated the parting gifts presented to me yesterday evening at the Reindeer by our President, Nick. I have thoroughly enjoyed the 39 years I have spent in Lions, of which nearly 30 years has been with our club in Southwell. Although club members have come and gone over the years, the friendliness, banter and laughs along the way have ensured that our club has gone from strength to strength in serving our community and making us all feel part of a close Lions family. "It’s been my pleasure to know you all and I will be back!" Best wishes to Paul and his family; we hope they will be very happy in their new home. |
Southwell Lions welcome their newest member
Pictured left to right: Lions Mike Peak (sponsor), Ian Wallis, President Nick Parr, Roger Eastty (membership secretary)
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Southwell Lions are delighted to welcome Ian Wallis as its newest member. As we were still meeting via Zoom due to the high level of Covid-19 infections, Club President Nick Parr conducted the ceremony at our online Business Meeting on 8th February, with Mike Peak as Ian's sponsor. However, they were able to meet outside afterwards to record the occasion. The Club hopes to be back to meeting indoors at The Reindeer Inn on Westgate in March and is always pleased to welcome new members. |
Lions support Brain Tumour Research with virtual balloon race!
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Lions UK have formed the Lions Brain Tumour Research Appeal (Lions BTR) with Brain Tumour Research, to raise £1,000,000 to help fund game changing research and raise awareness of brain tumours. 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour in the UK each year. At any one time there are about 60,000 people living with a brain tumour.
Our coastal walk challenge in 2021 was Southwell Lions’ first step to help raise funds. The Lions District VIRTUAL balloon race is another way for us to raise funds for this worthy cause, whilst having a bit of a flutter. The race starts on 13th March and ends on 27th March. The owner of the balloon that has ‘travelled’ furthest will receive £100 and there are 10 runner up prizes. The virtual balloons are just £5 each via www.balloonrace.com/LIONS105CE, where you can also track your balloon’s progress over the two weeks. Do please have a go and help us support this much needed research. |
A message from our Vice District Governor explaining why we are supporting Brain Tumour Trust and why we are running this event and how you can get involved.
New member joins Southwell Lions
Southwell Lions are delighted to welcome Mark Foxwell (left) as its newest member. Because we had to return to Zoom due to rising covid-19 infections, Club President Nick Parr conducted the ceremony at our online Business Meeting on 11th January, with Verdun Webley as Mark's sponsor. The Club hopes to be back to meeting indoors at The Reindeer Inn on Westgate soon and is always pleased to welcome new members.
Pictured left to right: Lion Verdon Webley (sponsor), Mark Foxwell, President Nick Parr, Roger Eastty (membership secretary)
Pictured left to right: Lion Verdon Webley (sponsor), Mark Foxwell, President Nick Parr, Roger Eastty (membership secretary)
Thank you to everyone who donated so generously to Santa's collection this year!
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Santa has completed his collection around Southwell, Farnsfield and surrounding villages and has returned home to prepare for the big night tonight. The reindeers will be given a special meal to give them extra strength and Rudolf will have a final nose polish to guide Santa on his way.
Our collection this year has broken all records and we are so grateful to the wonderful people of Southwell, Farnsfield and the villages for their huge generosity. Every penny we've collected goes towards supporting good causes in our area, plus some national charities and international appeals, usually following natural disasters. But we need your help to put it to good use. If you work with, or know of, a local charity, good cause or support group in our area that could benefit from a little extra help, then please contact us via our website, www.https://www.southwell-lions.org/ and go on to Contact Us. If you click here, you can see some of the causes we've helped over the last year but, over the years, there have been many more.
If you missed us when Santa visited your street, you can still donate
via our JustGiving page.
We are very grateful to the following for their help and support with our collection:
House of Cars for the tow vehicle,
Southwell Auto for the battery for the sound and lights
The Co-op and the Rodney for collection sites
Bramley Newspaper and Southwell Life for the publicity
But, most of all, thank you to everyone who has donated so generously this year. Southwell Lions wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy 2022!
Our collection this year has broken all records and we are so grateful to the wonderful people of Southwell, Farnsfield and the villages for their huge generosity. Every penny we've collected goes towards supporting good causes in our area, plus some national charities and international appeals, usually following natural disasters. But we need your help to put it to good use. If you work with, or know of, a local charity, good cause or support group in our area that could benefit from a little extra help, then please contact us via our website, www.https://www.southwell-lions.org/ and go on to Contact Us. If you click here, you can see some of the causes we've helped over the last year but, over the years, there have been many more.
If you missed us when Santa visited your street, you can still donate
via our JustGiving page.
We are very grateful to the following for their help and support with our collection:
House of Cars for the tow vehicle,
Southwell Auto for the battery for the sound and lights
The Co-op and the Rodney for collection sites
Bramley Newspaper and Southwell Life for the publicity
But, most of all, thank you to everyone who has donated so generously this year. Southwell Lions wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy 2022!
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Carols for Everyone was back in Southwell Minster on 11th December, after missing in 2020 due to Covid restriction. Despite the restrictions on numbers, wearing of masks while singing and the growing panic over Omicron, we had a capacity audience, who had a wonderful evening on music and song, while remembering the true message of Christmas.
Our thanks go to Southwell Orchestral and Choral Societies, Paul Provost on the organ, Bleasby Junior School and the Major Oak Chorus for performing, as well as Nick Harding for taking on master of ceremonies once again, the Minster vergers for setting up and clearing up afterwards, Southwell Minster for allowing us to hold the event there and, of course, to everyone who came along and so generously supported the Lions and SRiS, the charity to which the proceeds from the event will be given.
This community event was held in aid of Support Refugees in Southwell (SRiS), a local charity that supports Syrian and Afghan refugees who have escaped war and persecution in their own countries and settled in Southwell. As a result of the funds raised tonight, SRiS will be able to do so much more to help these lovely people as they establish their new lives in our community.
Our thanks go to Southwell Orchestral and Choral Societies, Paul Provost on the organ, Bleasby Junior School and the Major Oak Chorus for performing, as well as Nick Harding for taking on master of ceremonies once again, the Minster vergers for setting up and clearing up afterwards, Southwell Minster for allowing us to hold the event there and, of course, to everyone who came along and so generously supported the Lions and SRiS, the charity to which the proceeds from the event will be given.
This community event was held in aid of Support Refugees in Southwell (SRiS), a local charity that supports Syrian and Afghan refugees who have escaped war and persecution in their own countries and settled in Southwell. As a result of the funds raised tonight, SRiS will be able to do so much more to help these lovely people as they establish their new lives in our community.
Great evening had by all!
Quizmaster Graham Coulson put 19 teams through their paces with rounds on the environment (so much to know, so much to learn!), the novels of Dickens, TV shows and soap operas of the last 50 years, the 'missing vowels' round and general knowledge. Graham was ably assisted by Ian Edwards as the alternative quizmaster and Steve Bradbury, who played the tunes and sang the songs in the music round.
To read more and see the photos, click here.
Quizmaster Graham Coulson put 19 teams through their paces with rounds on the environment (so much to know, so much to learn!), the novels of Dickens, TV shows and soap operas of the last 50 years, the 'missing vowels' round and general knowledge. Graham was ably assisted by Ian Edwards as the alternative quizmaster and Steve Bradbury, who played the tunes and sang the songs in the music round.
To read more and see the photos, click here.
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Southwell & District Lions Club Presents The Autumn Picnic Quiz |
New member joins Southwell Lions
Southwell Lions are delighted to welcome Allen Hutchinson (centre) as its newest member. Club President Nick Parr (the one with the bling) conducted the ceremony at our Business Meeting on 12th October, with Mike Broadley as Allen's sponsor. The Club is back to meeting indoors at The Reindeer Inn on Westgate and is always pleased to welcome new members.
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On a sunny day in late September, we gleaned 56 kilos of apples, 12 kilos of pears and 7 kilos of rhubarb from a garden in Southwell in under an hour. A quantity will be taken by Beaumond House and the rest has been delivered to the Flower Pod in Southwell. The Flower Pod has a fruit press and will be making fruit juice on site.
We're always on the look-out for further gleaning opportunities. If you have excess produce you'd like to see go to a good home, please contact us and we'll take it off your hands!
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Joint Macmillan Coffee Morning - Southwell & District Lions Club and Southwell Rotary Club |
Last Saturday morning the Southwell & District Lions Club held a joint Macmillan Coffee Morning with the Southwell Rotary Club. The Lions' 'Human Fruit Machine' made a comeback and was a great money spinner as was the Tombola and the Book and Jigsaw stalls. The morning was a huge sucess and was enjoyed by everyone who attended. Although the final tally of money raised is not yet in we hope that it will have raised a significant amount of money for this very worthwhile charity. Thank to everyone who contributed.
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Southwell Lions help Beaumond House to ensure a safe and successful day of dragon boat racing |
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Dragon Boat racing was back in Newark in 2021! The event is a great day of racing on the river, live entertainment and bacon butties and no amount of rain puts people off enjoying themselves to raise vital funds for Beaumond House and the Newark Child Bereavement Centre. Southwell Lions were on hand to help the charities ensure the day went safely and smoothly.
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Even during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Southwell Lions were meeting via Zoom and offering financial support t local organisations and charities. In February 2021, following a thought provoking presentation by Graham McCartney, after whose son Jonathan's Voice was named, we donated £500 to this very worthwhile project that helps with mental health and well being in the workplace and beyond. Our donation is helping to fund the Mindstep Fellowship in Suicide Research at the University of Glasgow.
Val and Graham McCartney of Jonathan's Voice with Southwell Lions, who also helped raise further funds for the project
at the Southwell Music Festival in September
at the Southwell Music Festival in September
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Southwell & District Lion gets Top Award for Service to our Club |
Southwell & District Lions finally were able to meet face to face albeit outdoors and enjoyed a picnic. During the event Lion Ian Robinson was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow award, one of the the top awards within the Lions, for services to the Club. Ian has worked tirelessly within the club to help raise funds for worthy causes and for the last 2 years has been our Secretary, a job he has excelled in. The award is long over due and really well deserved.
Past President Ian Edwards presenting Ian with his award
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Southwell Rugby Club Juniors are nominated charity for this Year's 'Pluck a Duck'. STOP PRESS: over £600 raised for Junior Team |
Southwell & District Lions have selected the Southwell Rugby Club Junior Team to be the benefactors of the year's 'Pluck a Duck' Event. See here for more Info.
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Literacy Volunteers receive 'Book Boxes' for pupils at Lowe's Wong Infants |
Southwell and District Lions have funded 'Book Boxes' to enable the Literacy Volunteers to help pupils at Lowes Wong Infant School. See here for more info.
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Southwell & District Lions present cheque to 5th Southwell Brownies |
Southwell and District Lions attend the latest meeting of 5th Southwell Brownies just in time to deliver a cheque for £250. See here for more info
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The Big Spring Clean Continues |
The Big Spring Cleans takes place in Farnsfield and Southwell. See here for more info and Photos.
Lions Club Helps Southwell Rugby Club to get up and running again after COVID
See here for more details
Website updated: 13 August 2021