LiONS ROAR. Lions Clubs International District 105EA - News and views including those of District Governor Derek Prior

Transcription

1 Issue 6 January 2018 LiONS ROAR Lions Clubs International District 105EA - News and views including those of District Governor Derek Prior TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH Sheila and I hope you had a really good break at Christmas, after so many of you put in such a lot of effort with Santa's sleighs, Christmas grottos, carol services, parties for old people and children and all the other seasonal events. I am sure you know that your communities really appreciate what you and Lions do for them at this time of year. One of the major factors that encouraged me to become a Lion, rather than joining some other service organisation, was remembering the excitement and anticipation that my children felt. Christmas was almost here when the sleigh came to our street. They still look back on those evenings as some of the highlights of their childhood, even though they are now well into, or just approaching, their thirties. Mon 01-Jan to Sun 07-Jan DG Derek s Diary for January Vacation in Scotland Mon 08-Jan Billericay Club Business Meeting Thu 11-Jan Billericay social committee Sat 13-Jan Billericay Quiz Night Sat 20-Jan EA Lioness Lions Club Sun 21-Jan Wroxham and Hoveton Charter Mon 22-Jan Billericay Fellowship Meeting Wed 24-Jan Clacton Presentation evening Fri 26-Jan Council of Governors Meeting Sat 27-Jan Council of Governors Meeting Sun 28-Jan Council of Governors Meeting Wed 03-Jan VDG Mandy s Diary for January Panto rehearsal chaperone Thu 04-Jan Panto reherasal chaperone Fri 05-Jan SDC/DG training Solihull Sat 06-Jan DG training Solihull Sun 07-Jan DG training Solihull Wed 10-Jan Thur 11-Jan to Sun 14-Jan Panto Dress rehearsal Panto chaperone Sat 20-Jan Haverhill CA, Mon 22-Jan Southwold Panto Thu 25-Jan Bungay CVR meeting Sat 27-Jan CoG Solihull Sun 28-Jan Cog Solihull 2VDG Ujjal s Diary for January Mon 08-Jan Taverham & District Club meeting Sun 14-Jan Taverham & District Club function Mon 15-Jan Club meeting re C I O Wed 17-Jan Leigh on Sea LC Visit Sat 20-Jan Haverhill LC Charter January Just think of the goodwill and community spirit you have all created over the last few weeks. You may never receive the thanks in words, but it is really out there. I'm afraid my December, and the second half of November, too, were disrupted by a severe bout of bronchitis, which is still hanging around as I write this. A 4th helping of antibiotics, steroids and an inhaler are now being deployed to try to shift it. So a big "sorry" to all those who were expecting me to be at their meetings or events. I will make sure I see you all in the new year, although exactly when will depend on when the bronchitis goes away. I would also like to thank everyone who stepped in and did things in my place while I have not been well, especially the members of Billericay Lions who managed the sleigh without me. And so to the New Year and the second century of Lionism. Current members have the honour and responsibility of setting the trend for the new century, to carry on and enhance the work of all those who have built our organisation and served their communities during the past 100 years. Please don't forget to book for the District EA Convention in March and Multiple District Convention in April. Full details and booking forms for both of these events are available on the respective websites and And of course, Sheila and I wish you, your family and friends a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year when it comes. That's all for this month, and I look forward to meeting you on my travels. District Governor 105EA

2 EA s District Convention is taking place in Norwich between 15th and 18th March 2018 details from MD Convention is taking place in Basingstoke between 3rd and 6th May 2018 details from EA Convention Weekend 15th to 18th March 2018 Holiday Inn, Norwich North (Airport Hotel) Run By The Lions Club of Norwich Area Key Contacts are: Convention Host Lion Martin Langdon, 19, Merrow Gardens, Eaton, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 6HH, Tel (M) conventionhost@lions105ea.com Booking Lion Barry Sheldrake, 8 Morris Close, Norwich, Norfolk NR5 9DQ. Tel (H) conventionbook@lions105ea.com The booking form can be found at lions105ea.com Please make all cheques payable to L.C.I. District 105EA Convention B Account At the East Anglia New Century Lions Club Charter Dinner held at Great Yarmouth in November, Marion Folkard was presented with a fantastic cheque of 4000 by Lion Jenny King. Marion and Sandra, thanked Lion Jenny and all the Ben Nevis climbers and sponsors, for their great team effort and valuable contribution towards her charity for the last year - Cystic Fibrosis. Marion wishes to say an enormous to Lions in 105EA, for their great support in raising a grand total of p for Cystic Fibrosis In the photo from front row left Lion Jenny King (who organised the Climb Ben Nevis event to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis), Sandra Howarth (Senior Community Fundraising Manager of Cystic Fibrsois), Marion Folkard IPDG s Lady. Behind Lions from East Anglia New Century Lions Club as well as Lions from other Clubs in 105EA. President Brian presenting Message in a Bottle to Julie Lockhart Community Engagement Co-ordinator for the Mid -South East Essex. We had a request from the East of England Ambulance Service for a consignment of MIAB, which we're delivered as requested to an Open Day at a local Fire Station. (Devised by VDG Mandy Hawksley) Answers on page 3 1. What does GST stand for? 2. Which Club lead the Sensory Garden Project at Treetops near Ipswich? 3. What does GAT stand for? 4. There are three parts to GAT,what are they? 5. Who is the District LCIF officer? 6. Who is the International First Vice President? 7. How many Lioness Clubs are there in EA? 8. Who is the District Lioness Liaison officer? 9. Which Club is District Treasurer Roger Fuller a member of? 10. Who is the District Convention Co-ordinator? January New Members - November 2017 Clacton on Sea Joe McCann Hethersett District Mary Rayward-Smith Wisbech Robert Pearson

3 held their Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Centennial Year of Lions Clubs International. The service which was led by the Vicar of Swaffham, Revd Janet Allan, with contributions from the Catholic, Baptist and Methodist Churches, included readings highlighting the work the Lions do in the community and some rousing hymns. Swaffham Lion President, Pam Tallon, talked about the Lions work in the community, highlighting the support they received from the local businesses, supermarkets and the general public, without this they could not be successful. Prior to the service the bells were rung with a special peel to mark the Lions Centenary. The congregation, which numbered over 150, represented local clubs and societies as well as those who had benefited from Lions fund raising events. After the service many stayed and enjoyed refreshments and took time out to review the photographs of the Swaffham Lions work over the years. The retiring collecting for the Merle Boddy Centre raised 310. PR THOUGHTS This month I would like to focus on those clubs that are sending out press release after press release but are really struggling to get anything published. Are you really trying to promote your club or event but finding that you never seem to get anything in the newspapers? Here are a few reasons why you re not getting published: 1. You are not sending your PR to the right person this might seem obvious however if you are just sending an to the editor, you are not sending to the correct person. Always telephone a publication before sending and make sure you get the name of the reporter/person to send your piece to, this way your press release will not just drop in an inbox with thousands of others, plus the publication knows it s on its way, and you are building relationships with your local publications. 2. Don t make it complicated writing in the first person, embedding photo s into text documents, using Lion speak will all make extra work for your recipients and in a busy press office this just means the press release that you ve spent hours on will just be deleted. Make it really easy, ensure that the basic story is in the first paragraph, then expand in following paragraphs. Never write more than words (if the publication wants more they will contact you), and always attach photographs separately When photo s are embedded in to text documents it can change the format making them un-useable, plus you are also creating extra work and that means delete, delete, delete in a busy press office. 3. Are you sending enough Send press releases regularly so publications get used to receiving items from you, that way, when there s a hole to fill on deadline day they are more likely to use your pieces. And, don t get disheartened, not everything gets published. For my day job, I run a local magazine. We get hundreds of press releases through each month and I have seen both the good, bad and the ugly. If you make your press releases reader friendly, and professional looking, and you are sending to the correct person you are much more likely to get published. Contact me if you need help. Lion Wendy Cook (Press Officer 105EA) wendy@fizzwigdesigns.co.uk 1. Global Service Team; 2. New Century; 3. Global Action Team; 4. Membership, Leadership and Service; 5. Lion David Pope; 6. Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir; 7. 7; 8. PDG Jim Cawte; 9. Leigh on Sea; 10. Martin Langdon. How did you get on? If you scored 5 or fewer - The District Handbook is available at If you scored 6 or 7 - well done. If you scored 8 or 9 - wow! very well done If you scored 10 out of 10 - how were you cheating? January

4 Teddy Bears Picnic At the December meeting we were proud to present the cheques to our charity partners at this year s Norton Hill weekend. The Norton Hill event is a 3 weekend event, the 3rd weekend is King s Lynn Lions Weekend. It takes place in the grounds of a private house in Snettisham where there is 1km of miniature railway in the garden. The small steam and diesel trains pull carriages through the woods for passengers to spot the Croc and maybe see the Teddy Bears Picnic. Our 2 day event runs over the August bank holiday weekend and, with the help of our charity partners and the Scouts, we have a great time and raise some much needed funds for all concerned. The presentations were to: E.A.C.H. (East Anglia s Children s Hospices): The cheques was presented to Tal Williams of EACH the cheques included Norton Hill, a donation in memory of PDG Lion Don Peach and his wife Eileen and a donation from Lion Jim Taylor from the proceeds of his matchstick game and matchbox exhibition. NSPCC: The Local branch has an ongoing project with local schools. 'Speak Out' is to encourage children to tell if something is not right. The money given will stay in the local area. Samaritans Kings Lynn Branch: Busier than ever listening to people who need someone to listen. The branch is 50 years old next year. North West Norfolk Explorer Scouts: We could not run this event without the help of these young people. Fetch, carry, put up tents, marshal carparks and put tents away at the end of the event. The Scout leader told us that the money would go towards buying new equipment. Representatives of Scouts, EACH, Samaritans & NSPCC with Lion President John Groom The Lions and Charity Partners would like to send special thanks to Mr Mike Schumann and all his helpers for allowing us to visit and enjoy the trains. had a wonderful evening touring the married quarters at RAF Marham with Santa in his sleigh. The Lions had notified Marham of the route the sleigh would take, which enabled the families to come out with their children. With cameras flashing it was difficult to see who were more excited, mums and dads or the children. Santa s Marham tour is one of the most rewarding events that Swaffham Lions do in the community, especially when you see the joy and smiling faces of the children. The MD Convention 2018 website is now OPEN! Book early and get free entry into our prize draw. All you need to do is book online for either the Host Night or Banquet and Ball (both would be better!), and your name will automatically be entered in a draw for free accommodation for the weekend at the Convention hotel, two nights bed & breakfast for two. Booking and payment must be by 31 January Members of the Host Committee, MD staff, guests, MD Officers required by MD to attend and District Governors/District Governors Elect are not eligible. Join us on the weekend of 4th to 6th May 2018 for a right royal occasion, with the usual Lions mix of work and fun. Book online at: Steve Spencer (MD105 Convention 2018 Host Committee) January

5 MD105 PEACE POSTER COMPETITION And the winner is... Clacton-on Sea. What a first for EA. Yes this is the first time EA have won the MD105 finals and will now go on to Oak Brook. The Poster was created by Mia Reed aged 13 who is at Manningtree High School. Congratulations Mia! This is my first year in the post of Peace Poster Competition Officer so to win this means something to me as well. This year has been a truly successful one for. The announcement that the clubs representative for Young Ambassador, Charlie Latimer Camilleri, had gone through to the Multi District final was soon triumphed by another award. After being selected to be the Lions Clubs District EA s entry for the Peace Poster competition, Mia Reed s, painting has won the Multi District Award, the best in the UK. Mia is from Manningtree High School. Her depiction The Future of Peace will now go on to the International phase competing against entries from around the Globe. It is the first time the EA, and Clacton on Sea Lions Club have had an entry into the final stages. Congratulations go to both Charlie and Mia for their hard work and also to the dedicated Youth Team officers Brian, Lorraine and Steve. Santa, his wife and an Elf were on hand to wait upon elderly customers at the Clacton on Sea Morrisons café recently. The trio, Jim and Liz Godden and current President Peter Luckhurst, helped to serve refreshments and mince pies, for 2 hours during a cold and wet Wednesday afternoon. were also asked to sing carols at 3 local nursing homes. Accompanied with music played by Lion Irene Lock, with her clarinet, the group entertained many residents, who also celebrated with mince pies and a glass of wine. As quizzes go there is none bigger than that for the Chairman of Tendring District Council. Held at the Town Hall last week, 34 teams, around 200 people, racked their brains for Cllr Mark Platt and his nominated charity Stoma Awareness. The quiz was organised by the, with Adrian Robinson the quizmaster. Early arrivals were entertained by members of the Frinton Free Church choir, singing a medley of modern Christmas songs and carols which was greatly appreciated. Bright Sparks lived up to their name, by winning yet again, taking home the coveted trophy, handed to them by Cllr Mark Platt. An excellent 1,248 was raised during the evening, the highest for a Lions quiz night for 25 years. held their 38th Charter Anniversary recently. In attendance were the Lions District Governor Derek Prior and Tendering Chairman Cllr Mark Platt along with over 80 lion members and friends. Honours were presented to Lions Fred Grimsey and Wilf Barns who have served the community for 35 and 25 years respectively. For their services within Clacton Lions and to the local community, Melvin Jones Fellowships were presented to an astonished and surprised current President Peter Luckhurst and to Past President Liz Godden. Southend Lions Club were delighted to badge up Ian Lewis as their latest new Member Swaffham and District Lions Club welcome new Member Joy Williams January

6 The first photograph shows President Alan Pickering, on the right, handing over the Certificate of Enrolment to Lion Carl Stclarke on his induction night. On the left is Lion Chris Moreton sponsor for Lion Carl. The second photograph is of Lion President Alan Pickering handing over a certificate and pin in recognition of the 'Centenary Award' to Lion Chris Moreton. The Downham Market Lions Club purchased and continue to maintain a Defibrillator machine which is sited outside the Castle Hotel in the town. During a recent check of the machine, being carried out by Lion Chris Moreton, Chris was suddenly enveloped in a heavy downpour of rain and became soaked to the skin before being able to gain shelter. He has made the point, more than once, that this is beyond the call of duty and shows that Lions, as well as helping in the locality, can also carry out the tasks consigned to them no matter what the weather! During the Downham Market 'Lights On' celebration the Lions Club opened their Santa's Grotto in the Town Hall and presented small gifts to many very happy little children. helped collect food at the Swaffham Tesco Store for FoodShare over a four day period. Food collected will be topped up by Tesco with a 20% monetary donation. Last year nationally food collected was sufficient for 28.6 million meals. welcomed a new member to the club; Lion President, Pam Tallon, inducted Joy Williams as the 28th member and the 3rd lady Lion member. At the same meeting the former Maltese Ambassador to Libya, George Cassar, was presented with his ten year service chevron, having been a Lion in Malta for eight years. held their annual Seniors Christmas Lunch at the Sacred Heart School. Despite the wintery conditions eighty guests sat down to a traditional Christmas dinner prepared by international chief John Hornsby, who flew in from the Canneries for the occasion. A team of Lions prepared the vegetables that were supplied free of charge by Tesco, as one member said I don t wish to see another sprout this year after preparing a bucket full. After the meal the guests enjoyed a table quiz, bingo, songs from the sixties and carols. Liz Truss MP, Jill Skinner Mayor of Swaffham and Lion President Pam Tallon mingled with guests during the afternoon and were pleased to hear that the guests had nothing but praise for a wonderful party. The Lions put on this annual event recognising that the invitees enjoy the company and meeting up with old friends. I have recently received some articles which are announcing events that will take place before the next publication date. I endeavour to ensure that each edition of Lions Roar is published as near as possible to the first of the month. Please will you endeavour to think about publication dates with your articles? Please may I ask that any further Sleigh/Santa stories arrive with me on or before 20th January. I don t think that Christmas needs to run beyond February! May I take this opportunity to wish all of our readers and contributors a very Happy New Year. I will be looking for contributions to the next issue using 20th January deadline! Ed January

7 EA Lioness News were pleased to be able to make donations to 3 local charities. Firstly 177 to Friends of Aspires. Aspires is a day service for adults with learning difficulties and physical disabilities. The Friends of Aspires raise money to be able to offer a unique programme of events throughout the year, such as: days & meals out, birthday & Christmas presents, trips to the pantomime and much more. The photos show a group picture and one taken with the Lioness members and director Jackie Murphy, and manages Milly Murphy and Janice Lunan. Our second presentation was to West Norfolk Befrienders. A cheque for 50 was presented to Pippa May, their Manager, at our recent coffee morning. We have also given a cheque to the local food bank for their Christmas in a Box appeal. A presentation was made on behalf of the, to member Lioness Dorothy, by Past Multiple District Lioness Chairman Angela Howard, to celebrate Dorothy s special birthday. It acknowledged her hard work for the Thetford (Breckland) Lioness Club and the Lions Family over the past 30+ years. Dorothy received the International President s Award (certificate and pin) endorsed by Past International Director Phil Nathan. In addition, PID Phil sent a personal gift of a solid silver commemorative dollar. The dollar is a limited edition to celebrate the Lions Centennial, produced by the US Mint. held their popular Winter Quiz, providing soup and a light hearted but challenging questions. The team Silk" were the winners of the evening. In excess of 300 was raised, which will support the Lioness Fundraising for a medical detection dog. had a meal at the Larling Angel. Good company, food and service ensured an enjoyable evening.the Lionesses remembered recent and past events and looked forward to the future. Thetford Lionesses meet at 7:30 on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at Kings Court Earls Street. For further details please contact braved the cold to hold a Cuddly Toy Tombola on the evening of the Christmas Light Up Festivities. Many happy children (and adults) visited the tombola and left with a cuddly toy. A total of 67 was raised. The money will go toward one of the Lioness Charities, which is to fund a medical detection dog. Articles for the next issue of the LiONS ROAR should be with the editor before the 20th of the Month Send to ( preferred): John Fox, Lions Roar, 19 Beech Road, Downham Market, Norfolk PE38 9PH Tel: lionsroar@lions105ea.com January QR Code for