Here we go a-Gleaning
Over the last three days, Southwell Lions and friends from other Lions Clubs, including Edwinstowe, Retford and as far away as Hunstanton, have been ‘gleaning’ at Norwood Park, just outside Southwell. Gleaning is similar to scrumping, but with the owner’s permission – so a big thank you Norwood Park for allowing us to pick their apples. Over the three days, we picked between 3 and 4 tonnes of apples, which have been collected by Fareshare, a charity that redistributes surplus food to other charities that turn it into meals.
Over 4 million tonnes of good to eat surplus food goes to waste in the UK food industry every year. Meanwhile, millions are facing food insecurity. Fareshare strengthens communities by taking good food that would otherwise go to waste and getting it to thousands of local charities who use it to support vulnerable people in their communities.
Thank you also for the great effort put into the initiative by Southwell Lions Steve Scall and Verdun Webley, who organised the whole thing and were at the site on all three days to ensure it all went smoothly.
If you are part of or support a local charity, support group, school, sports club, youth or community group and would benefit from some extra funding, we might be able to help. Contact us on [email protected] or via our website - https://www.southwell-lions.org/.
Over 4 million tonnes of good to eat surplus food goes to waste in the UK food industry every year. Meanwhile, millions are facing food insecurity. Fareshare strengthens communities by taking good food that would otherwise go to waste and getting it to thousands of local charities who use it to support vulnerable people in their communities.
Thank you also for the great effort put into the initiative by Southwell Lions Steve Scall and Verdun Webley, who organised the whole thing and were at the site on all three days to ensure it all went smoothly.
If you are part of or support a local charity, support group, school, sports club, youth or community group and would benefit from some extra funding, we might be able to help. Contact us on [email protected] or via our website - https://www.southwell-lions.org/.
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July 2025 update
WI Hall Front Yard Gets a Facelift
Did you know that Southwell Women's Institute makes delicious cakes (among many other things)? We found out this monthwhen we joined them at a Tea Party to celebrate the completion of their Hall's face-lift and improvements to access.
Southwell Lions helped to pay for the new paving at the front of the Hall, making it much safer to use and walk across for members, visitors and customers of their markets.
Southwell Lions helped to pay for the new paving at the front of the Hall, making it much safer to use and walk across for members, visitors and customers of their markets.
New library for Lowe's Wong Juniors
A group of Lions recently visited Lowe’s Wong Infants School to see the new equipment and books donated by our Club as the school sets about improving its library facilities to encourage 'reading for pleasure' at an early age. The existing library was tucked away in an alcove between two classrooms and was in need of new stock and equipment.
As well a mobile bookcase, we donated a set of books purchased by the school and a set of Wild Tribe Heroes books, a collection of bestselling children’s books that educate them in a fun and engaging way on environmental issues such as plastic pollution, climate change and habitat loss.
As well a mobile bookcase, we donated a set of books purchased by the school and a set of Wild Tribe Heroes books, a collection of bestselling children’s books that educate them in a fun and engaging way on environmental issues such as plastic pollution, climate change and habitat loss.
The new mobile library shelves can be seen behind the children, along withe the seating between them. The children are holding the Wild Tribe Heroes books.
June 2025 update
Support and wellbeing for people with dementia
When Trent Dementia needed help to continue with its drop-in service in Southwell, the Lions were delighted to step in. Trent Dementia was established in 2004 with the aim of improving the quality of care, support and wellbeing of people living with dementia, as well as their carers. Their drop-in service came to Southwell a couple of years ago but, being entirely self-funding, they rely on charitable donations to keep running the sessions. Our donation will help to fund its monthly sessions at Kings Court, when 25 to 35 people, including carers, enjoy space and time to chat with free refreshments.
May 2025 update
Lions fund public hotline for Framework Street Outreach
Framework’s Street Outreach Team in Nottingham is at the forefront of their work to support the homeless, especially those sleeping rough on the street.
The team will come and meet rough sleepers when called out and engage with and support them whilst working with other agencies to help them:
• Find safe and secure accommodation and claim benefits they may be entitled to
• Access medical treatment and get help with drug, alcohol and mental health problems
• Re-engage with estranged family members, return to their home region or home country.
The team also locates a rough sleeper when a third party reports them to Framework via the dedicated 0800 phone line.
The first step of providing this much – and increasingly – needed service is the ability of the homeless person or someone else on their behalf to contact Framework. This is done through Framework’s free 0800 number and Southwell Lions are delighted to be able to help Framework by funding the 0800 hotline for the next five years. Framework receives an average of 2,000 calls to this number every month.
Rough Sleeper 24 Hour Hotline for Nottingham
Call freephone 0800 066 5356 or text ‘SOT’ followed by your message to 80800.
The team will come and meet rough sleepers when called out and engage with and support them whilst working with other agencies to help them:
• Find safe and secure accommodation and claim benefits they may be entitled to
• Access medical treatment and get help with drug, alcohol and mental health problems
• Re-engage with estranged family members, return to their home region or home country.
The team also locates a rough sleeper when a third party reports them to Framework via the dedicated 0800 phone line.
The first step of providing this much – and increasingly – needed service is the ability of the homeless person or someone else on their behalf to contact Framework. This is done through Framework’s free 0800 number and Southwell Lions are delighted to be able to help Framework by funding the 0800 hotline for the next five years. Framework receives an average of 2,000 calls to this number every month.
Rough Sleeper 24 Hour Hotline for Nottingham
Call freephone 0800 066 5356 or text ‘SOT’ followed by your message to 80800.
February 2025 update
World first for Southwell's Brownies
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Southwell Brownies have joined an exclusive group alongside Southwell's Guides and Scouts by being the first Brownies in the world to receive Lions Challenge Badges.
The Challenge is designed to teach and encourage participants in five ‘Areas of Excellence’ – Creative, Community, Communications, Environment and Safety. Participants undertake tasks and learn new skills appropriate to their age group over a period of several weeks. The Badges and Certificates were given out by Lion Verdun Webley (right) at a special presentation in February. |
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January 2025 update
Southwell Guides are heading to Iceland
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One of the Lions' key objectives is to help young people with their personal development so we are delighted to help two Guides from Southwell to attend an international Girlguiding camp in Iceland later this year. Cat Riley and Lilian Smith will be joining other Guides from around the world on an exciting cultural exchange.
Cat and Lilian are particularly looking forward to learning about Iceland’s sustainable use of geothermal energy (as well as glacier walking and whale watching). They had to attend a selection camp, where they played a series of games to show they can work well with others, in order to be chosen to represent Nottinghamshire. On this week-long trip, the Guides will be camping under canvas, experiencing firsthand the power of the earth by spending time at one of Iceland’s geothermal springs, learning about Icelandic culture and history, as well as undertaking some community service within the local area. Both are raising funds for the trip through a variety of activities, including selling items they’ve made at car boot sales, fetes and markets, sponsored walks and through part-time jobs. |
Cat (left) and Lilian shown with Lions Ian Gillings and Mike Broadly
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Halam School pupils to move lessons outside
Nearly three years ago, Halam School PTA started fundraising for a new outdoor classroom and Southwell Lions were very pleased to be able to make a donation towards this excellent new facility. After many delays and a redesign, the classroom was finally officially opened in mid-January and we were delighted to join the teachers, parents and some of the pupils to mark the occasion.
The outdoor classroom gives pupils opportunities to learn and play outdoors, providing an alternative learning space, which research has shown improves engagement and provides a positive learning experience.
As well as using the outdoor classroom for regular scheduled lessons, it will also be used on an ad hoc basis for extracurricular activities. The children, who have named it the Acorn Classroom, are already planning what activities they can use it for.
The outdoor classroom gives pupils opportunities to learn and play outdoors, providing an alternative learning space, which research has shown improves engagement and provides a positive learning experience.
As well as using the outdoor classroom for regular scheduled lessons, it will also be used on an ad hoc basis for extracurricular activities. The children, who have named it the Acorn Classroom, are already planning what activities they can use it for.
Lions Tony Johnson, Verdun Webley and Ian Robinson joined Headteacher, Mrs Speed, and the children at the celebration.