Lions Clubs International District 105EA

Lions Roar - June 2010

Well here we are moving at what seems to be the speed of light through the year. We have had our MD convention and we are all delighted that our own candidate for 2nd International Vice President was endorsed to run for office.  Many congratulations to Lion Phil and Lion Heidi.  A special thanks must go to everyone who attended the Convention, especially those of you who travelled up for the day on Saturday for the business session, we had a total of 88 delegates attending which was I think the most for a long time, we showed the MD how we felt about PID Phil.  A special congratulations must also go to the campaign team for all the hard work and effort they put in throughout the MD to get our candidate endorsed; and also to our own “Grow EA Team” for their untiring work on membership – I am very proud of the whole district.

I am getting through my visits but I still have a few to do.  I believe I have contacted all clubs now to arrange my last visits; if you haven’t heard from me please let me know.

As I mentioned above it is good to see that our membership is now up to 1259, well done to all those Lions and clubs who have introduced new members into our organisation.  We have only just begun, we are looking to have the membership up to around 1300 by the end of the next Lionistic year, and continue growing our wonderful organisation.  We do not want to be in the situation again where we could go into transition with a membership below 1250 – especially with the talk regarding re-districting in the future.

If you think about it more members’ means a wider spread of work for current members or more projects can be undertaken, an increased membership also means income from dues, and the ultimate possibility of dues being reduced.

I must make a mention of one particular club in this Newsletter – the Leo Club of Maldon.  I had a telephone call at the beginning of my year of office from their President Annabel to ask if she could contact all the clubs in the District for support – they were going to raise £10,000 for a little girl in Maldon (there were five members at the time, which then reduced to four).  What could I say but yes, go for it.  Well on Friday evening that group of Leos handed over a cheque for £10,000 to the parents of Katy, what a proud moment for everyone there, especially me as District Governor, £10,000 in just under a year is quite some going.  What an achievement, true Lionism from a group of young people.  My personal thanks to all the clubs in the District that supported the Leos.  Photos will follow later.

Thank you all clubs for your work in your communities, all the effort you put in to your events contributes to helping so many people locally and all over the world - help that they would not get if Lions were not around.  You must feel proud of yourselves and your clubs.  I know that I am proud of all the clubs and members in my district - LIONS, LIONESSES and LEOS and welcome the following  New Members.

Please remember:-

“To Talk and Serve together with Love and Understanding”

DG Derek

DG’s Diary for June

2nd June – Fakenham Lions official visit

5th June  - South Woodham Ferrers, Helen Keller and Danbury  joint Charter anniversary

7th June  - Felixstowe Lions Club

9th June – Wells next the Sea official visit tbc

12th June  - Meeting in Birmingham Lioness District meeting

14th June – Acle & Brundall official visits tbc

19th June – Bungay Charter anniversary

23rd June – Canvey Island official visit tbc

27th June – Two Counties Motor Show

Visit to Essex and Suffolk Borders club tbc

Firstly from PID Lion Phil Nathan

EA led the way.

“I have now managed to stay in the UK for more than 48 hours since Leeds, however, on Friday  14th May Heidi and I were proud to present the Leo club of Maldon with the Royle Cup ((MD105 Leo Club of the year). What wonderful humanitarian service they have achieved!”

“On Saturday, on behalf of his home club, we presented a Melvin Jones Fellowship to Immediate Past District Governor George Harris. Truly deserved, congratulations George and Leigh On Sea Lions Club.”

“Time at last to have an opportunity to reflect on the amazing efforts and dedication to this great District of ours by the "Help Grow EA Team" supported by all of YOU!! -  you did it! “

“We must not stop now - there is much talk of re- districting going on in our Multiple District. We have proven we can do it and must now continue to grow to enable us to continue to Serve those that cry out for our help.”

“Wow, what about the election in Leeds?”

“The wonderful team of friends both in District and Multiple District ran a clean factual and honest Campaign which achieved an outstanding and amazing result - a clear message.”

“May I take a moment of personal appreciation and reflection +++++ to thank everyone that made the effort to mark the ballot paper in my favour. I have heard of some long and arduous journeys that were undertaken. Every single positive vote was a very important statement and was absolutely priceless.”

“I have been trying to think what I can say to you all but can only come up with some simple words that are genuine and from the heart”.

“THANK YOU ALL for your support and faith in me. The long journey continues but my team and I will keep you up to date.”

“Fond regards, and THANK YOU.”

At long last the memorial to Mike and Christine (purchased with the donations from Lions) was dedicated on the 17th of April.  It is located in the Burial Ground of St Andrews Church, Eaton, Norwich and consist of a bench surrounded by trees.

The dedication was by Phil Roth, the parish priest and was attended by the District Governor and his wife (Derek Maguire and Pam), the District Governor Elect and his wife (Derek Greenwood and Maureen)  and the second Vice District Governor and his wife ( Jim Cawte and Jennifer ) along with lions from West Norwich and other clubs with their partners, Mike and Christine's son and daughter and some of their grandchildren.

Eaton Cemetery is a beautiful place of great peace and the memorial is right at its heart. Anyone who wants to visit can do so at any time, it is in Church Lane, Eaton and the post code is NR4 6NY . If you need more information contact Martin Langdon by email at m.langdon2@ntlworld.com.

As the actual costs of the memorial have been lower than estimated, it will be expanded in the Autumn by planting more trees to complete the avenue towards the entrance of the Cemetery .

The beaurocracy in creating this memorial on church land was complex, anyone else planning something similar is encouraged to contact Martin Langdon at the above email address to benefit from the W. Norwich experience

Lion Martin Langdon

6TH BRAINTREE REAL ALE FESTIVAL

This is now an established Braintree Lions event visited by hundreds of people from all parts of Essex and further afield.  Since our first festival in 2005 we have donated over £16,000 to various local and National Charities. This year’s event will again be held at Braintree Institute from Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th June. We anticipate over 800 real ale enthusiasts will visit to sample over 60 different real ale, ciders and Perrys

Lion Kelly-Marie Thompson

Stowmarket Lions

RHYTHM OF LIFE WALK On Sunday 13th June 2010 the Lions Club of Stowmarket and District present  The 8th Annual Sponsored Rhythm of Life Walk being held on the “Aggregates Trail” which travels through the Gipping Valley from Needham Lakes to Barham Picnic area and returns along the same route. More details can be found on www.stowlions.org.uk.

Eileen Peech presented Mike Hadfield with the Don Peech Trophy for winning  the 2010 Convention Golf Tournament.  Margaret Talbot triumphed in the Ladies competition.  Spread below are the players who all enjoyed the day’s golf.    Its never too early to book for next year but nearly too late for the Stowmarket Lions golf day on June 11th - Please contact Lion John Smith, “Torenia” , Gislingham Road,  Finningham,  Stowmarket  IP14 4HY E-mail torenia@btinternet.com  Telephone 01449 781753     Mobile 07799 663902

From the Left. Malcolm Smith, Kenneth Marshall, Kevin Cross, Margaret Talbot, Jill Hadfield, Alison Croose, Tony Talbot, Jim Cave, John Paling, Mike Hadfield, Trevor Grimsey, Gerry Moore, John Hedges, Brian Nolan.

Lion George Watt

Norfolk Broads Lions Club 41st Annual Holiday for Deserving People. Over 250 guests and their carers from across the Country enjoyed a weeks holiday at Seacroft Holiday Village at Hemsby- The holiday concluded on Thursday evening with a fancy dress parade- The winner dressed topically in a General Election costume.  During the week the guests enjoyed boat trips on the Broads, The Transport Museum, a number of Great Yarmouth attractions and of course the opportunity of a bag of chips on the market. A great time was had by all.

Lion David Richardson

The thirteenth annual swimming gala for young people with disabilities was held on Saturday 24th April at Crown Pools.  Although a number of factors combined to reduce attendance, there was no reduction in the smiles, excitement and jubilation  as competitors took part in events ranging from wading a width to the serious stuff of the one length free style. Supported by the Lions Clubs of Felixstowe, Ipswich, Stowmarket and Woodbridge and the Felixstowe Lionesses, the evening was organized by Zone Chairman Terry Hunt, taking on the role for the first time this year.  Our thanks to the staff of Crown Pools, the Ipswich Life Saving Club, whose  members accompanied every entrant in the water and ably marshaled the many events.  Every entrant received a medal and a seemingly endless supply of orange juice and bananas – thanks to Richard Wilson of J J Wilson Limited for the generous donation of those bananas.  Region Chairman Peter Button presented eight special trophies to competitors who were felt to have made a special contribution to the evening. – including those who doggedly completed their chosen distance even though the others had finished and left the water – no doubting the determination  there!  Terry Hunt afterwards commented, “The kids had a great time and that's what it is all about.  Here's looking forward to next year.”

Supplied by Lion Peter See

Mildenhall Lions held their 35th Annual Charter evening on the 8th May at the Bell Hotel Mildenhall. During this year’s celebrations a special presentation was made on behalf of Lions International to Lion David Reeve who received the Melvin Jones Fellowship award (MJF) which recognises his continued service and support to Lions within our community

Lion Brian Harvey

In the picture (Left to right) - Lion President Ian McFetridge, Lion David Reeve & Zone chairman Lion Bob David