DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S Newsletter – November 2014
Spotlight on 105NE
How to keep clubs alive!
The easiest way to keep clubs alive is to recruit new members. New members bring new ideas and a fresh approach
and should be given every opportunity to share them. Once you recruit them you have to make them feel welcome.
Find out what their interests are and see how you can make best use of their skills. Get Publicity and Members for
Your Club.
Members must be open with each other and willing to share ideas. Clubs should hold a health assessment once a
year to see ways in which it can change and be successful. Set aside one or two club meetings in each year to look at
where you are and where you are likely to be in five years time. Will you still be there? Sometimes we have done
things for so long that they loose their momentum. Whatever you are doing you should have a fresh look at it and
possibly take a new approach. All members should be involved in this. Attending Zone meetings is another way of
sharing ideas across a wider area. Other clubs have other good ideas! Just Ask1
Being proactive as a club can be anything from serving in partnership with another organisation or working closely
with your local community. But don’t allow all your good work to be swallowed up by a national organisation to
promote their image. Lions International is a great brand – get it out there in its own right! We Serve is our motto.
There are now so many other charitable organisations out there, competing with us for public support that we have to
make sure we are distinctive and dynamic. For information on setting up new projects or revitalising old projects, see
the Community Needs Assessment. We should be continually looking for new projects in our local communities to
raise our profile. We are at the heart of our local communities – never forget that. We Serve
Amazing work is being done in clubs – so don’t be scared to build on that and on the reputation of Lions International.
We need new and fresh ideas and these come with new members. There are so many ways to increase our club
profile: Message in a Bottle - Medic Alert and others. Youth programmes such as YLIS YA Peace Poster and Youth
Camp Youth Exchange will increase membership in the long term but young people have young ideas and we need
them all. We need to embrace social media: Facebook, Twitter and club websites. If you have ideas and pictures send
them to Lion Richard Lukey who can share the message internationally on the District website. Raise public
awareness. We are Lions International!
Information Day. Lion members are invited to an Information Day on the 22 March 2015 at the Holiday Inn, Scotch
Corner. This is open to all and is a great opportunity for members to share experiences and ideas.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Dumfries. Get your tartan oot!
Lion Andrew
District Governor 105NE
We Serve
We can make a difference as a team
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
Some 105NE Highlights for October
Lions District Governor Andrew Kerr
Sutherland was the first visitor to Morpeth
Lions at the start of their new Lions year.
Morpeth are in a District covering
Scotland, North East England and parts of
North Yorkshire. Andrew is a member of
the City of Edinburgh Club.
In his speech to Morpeth Lions, Andrew
stressed the need for the Club to let other
Lions Clubs and the wider community
know the work they are doing. He was
pleased to hear of the Club members’
involvement in a number of community
projects and recommended the Club to
share initiatives and good practice with
other Lions clubs. Andrew emphasised the
need to support and work with youth and
to support the Young Leader awards.
He emphasised the need to work with
youth and support the Lions’ Young
Leader awards and he is pleased to be
part of a team which includes Morpeth’s
David Wheeler as a Vice District
Governor.
Morpeth Lions Club President Stuart
Lewis said he was delighted to have an
early visit by Andrew at the start of his
Presidential year and would take forward
his points over the coming months.
A very warm and friendly welcome from
Easingwold Lions Club on my DG visit.
The club supports a number of projects
locally, multi-district and Lions
International. Keep up the good work!
Published on 8
October 2014
Highlights from
the 97th Lions
Clubs
International
Convention,
July 4-8, 2014,
in Toronto,
Canada. Lions
from around the globe gathered together
for fun, fellowship, an international parade
and more.
Well done Whitby Lions for getting to your
44th year! You should all be proud of the
work you do at the heart of your local
community. Strengthen the Pride. A big
thank you to all for your hospitality and to
the nearby clubs for their support on the
evening. Great to meet Lion President
Kevin Shaw, all the members and guest,
Pat Perkins, Mayor of Whitby. A great
evening!
Article from the Morpeth Herald
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
as much as he had done before
presenting Lion Ian with his banner.
Clubs from Easingwold, Whitby, Malton &
Norton, Filey, Scarborough, Thirsk &
Northallerton and Northallerton Lionesses
were hosted by Ryedale Lions at the Zone
Meeting in Kirbymoorside on Monday 20
October. Zone Chairman David Wilson
was joined by District Governor Andrew
Kerr Sutherland and 1st Vice District
Governor David Wells.
The guest speaker was Andrea Hobbs
from Young Carers who suggested three
ways in which Lions Clubs and individual
Lions in the Zone might help provide
respite for the estimated 1,700 young
people aged from 5 to 17 years old who
are carers in North Yorkshire.
For more information please e-mail
[email protected]
The next Zone 4 meeting to take place in
Easingwold at 2pm on Sunday 25th
January
Tynedale Lions Club Charter Dinner was
held on 10 October at the Auction Mart in
Hexham. Lion President Ian Cave and his
wife Lesley were pleased to welcome
District Governor Lion Andrew Kerr
Sutherland on his return to the Club. Lion
Ian spoke about the continuing efforts of
the Club over the last year with an
increasing emphasis on serving within the
local community, raising the awareness of
the Club and attracting new membership.
These were themes upon which Lion
Andrew was able to amplify in his
response. Lion Andrew also hoped that
everyone present had enjoyed the evening
You can follow Andrew’s travels on
Facebook.
DG Lion Andrew
Welcome
This month we are pleased to welcome
more Lions to the District and hope that
this is just the start of things to come as
we need to Strengthen the Pride
everywhere.
Aberdeen Lions Club
Lion Yann Etchian sponsored by Lion
Martin Calder
Dumfries Lions Club
Lion Simone Tyrie sponsored by Lion
Heather Hall
Malton, Norton & District Lions Club
Lion Steve Sidaway sponsored by Lion
Peter Grice
Lion Richard Hopkins sponsored by
Lion Bill Thompson
Lion Anne Harrison sponsored by Lion
President Nick Simpson. Lion Anne is
the third member of her family to become
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
a Lion, joining her father Lion John and
her brother 1st Vice President Lion Mark.
many points in between, for an evening’s
entertainment.
Tynedale Lions Club
Tynedale Lions Club is pleased to
welcome a new member, Lion Anthony
d'Auverene Oake, transferred from
Budleigh Salterton Lions Club in Devon,
District 105SW. Anthony and his wife Julia
have set up home in the Tyne Valley close
to Haltwhistle having spent the last few
months living in their motorhome. Our best
wishes to them and for a mild winter!
Congratulations to all from DG Andrew
who looks forward to welcoming new
Lions throughout Scotland and north east
England in our forthcoming issues as you
continue to
The format of Malton, Norton & District
Lions Club August New Members
Meeting certainly helped introduce a
number of new faces and largely down to
the tenacity of membership chairman Lion
Bill Thompson and President Nick,
conversion rates from meeting to member
have been excellent. Bill and Nick took
part in a membership webinar on 28th
October and are looking to secure a small
amount of funding to run a further
membership event after Christmas.
During the 1990s membership exceeded
40 and then dropped back to under 30, but
the objective now is to get back closer to
the 40 mark. Two prospective new
members also attended the October
meeting as guests of current club
members and at least one other has been
invited to the November meeting.
Brassed off at Meet the Lions
On 16 October Malton, Norton & District
Lions Club ran their annual Meet The
Lions event. Coaches and cars brought
senior citizens into Malton from
Hovingham in the north, Heslerton to the
east and Welburn to the west as well as
Free drinks were served on arrival and
once the 100 plus guests all had a full
glass Lion Peter Grice ably assisted by
Lion Derek Low got the bingo going. The
excellent prizes all selected by Peter and
Christine Grice ranged from a full hamper
of tinned and packaged groceries to a full
English breakfast pack that included
bacon, sausage, eggs and all the
trimmings. Playing for two full houses and
two lines there were plenty of prizes and
the winners seemed delighted.
Supper of savouries followed by cakes
with tea and coffee all prepared by the
Lions and their partners were served to
the tables after which our guests were
regaled to the melodies of the Swinton
and District Excelsior Brass Band playing
a selection of music from the post war
years to more modern times.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening
was event organiser Lion John Hazelwood
who, despite the exhortations of fellow
Lions and his wife Marion, launched into a
repertoire of amusing anecdotes which
were clearly to the liking of our more
“mature” audience.
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
work in relation to both Mid Tyne and
Tynedale Lions Clubs. In particular, they
have both been frequent delegates at
International Conventions in North
America. Well deserved congratulations to
you both.
Meet The Lions has been running for most
of the club’s 51 years – the purpose being
to spread the word about Lions to the
numerous villages and communities that
surround the two towns of Malton and
Norton where much of the club’s activity is
focussed.
‘’ Peace, Love and Understanding ‘’
is the theme of the 2014 -15 Peace Poster
Contest.
Hopefully you are now busy collecting in
entries which will be judged at Dumfries
Convention on Saturday 15 November.
Don’t forget that District Peace Poster
official Lion Sheila Pook needs all entries
in her hands before the start of
Convention.
Students, ages 11, 12 or 13 on November
15 2014 are eligible to enter. Further
details [email protected]
Bill)
Diamonds are forever
Lions Alison and Russel Ainsley of
Tynedale Lions Club were pleased to
celebrate their Diamond Wedding
Anniversary on 18 September. They are
pictured together holding the special
congratulatory card which they received
from Her Majesty The Queen. They also
received a card from the District 105NE
Council team in recognition of their
considerable work over the years in Zone
3A. Tynedale Lions Club congratulated
them with a floral tribute again in
recognition of all their efforts and hard
Sunderland Lions go a wandering
A group of Lions from Sunderland Lions
Club enjoyed true fellowship during a
holiday in Harrogate recently. They
enjoyed walking, visiting Fountains Abbey,
Skipton, Harrewood House as well as
shopping in Harrogate.
The hotel was excellent, lovely meals,
good rooms and generaly pleasant
surroundings. Three Lions, namely Lions
Paul, Peter and Mike also enjoyed a few
(!) glasses of the local brew Daleside
LEGOVER.
40 years service recognised
Darlington Lion Fred Thompson was
presented with a Lions plaque
to recognise his 40 years service as a
member of Darlington Lions Club.
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
50 glorious years
In celebration of their 50th Charter
Anniversary, Filey Lions enhanced the
seafront with this carved wooden Lion.
Lion Fred Thompson, centre, with Lions
Dave Nicholson and Tom Peacock who
received plaques in previous years.
Our picture shows members of the Golden
Jubilee Committee, and Community
Service Committee, along with Lion
President David Wilson and Filey Mayor
Councillor John Shackleton and his
Mayoress Susan Shackleton at the official
opening ceremony.
The award was presented by Lions Club
President Pat De Martino.
Mr Thompson commented how proud he
was to receive the plaque and that by
joining the Darlington Lions Club 40 years
ago had proved to be one of the best
things he could possibly have done and
he reminisced on the wonderful
friendships gained in that time and that he
had served as the club president, club
treasurer and chairman of the bookshop
during his 40 years as a Darlington Lion
and fundraiser.
Darlington Lions have raised hundreds of
thousands of pounds for local charities
since it was formed in Darlington over 50
years ago. The charities have included St.
Teresa's Hospice. North East Air
Ambulance, The 700 Club , Heel & Toe,
Darlington Talking Newspaper and this
year’s main charity is the Education
Centre for Children with Down Syndrome
serving the Darlington & Newton Aycliffe
districts as well as north east England.
The next main forthcoming fundraising
event by the club is their very
popular Annual Craft Fayre at the
Blackwell Grange Hotel on Sunday 23
November between 10am and 4pm.
The Lions Bookshop in Darlington city
centre at Blackwellgate Mews remains
open on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays between 10am and 4pm.
with thousands of books available at 50
pence each.
Another project for their jubilee year was
to support the Filey in Bloom group in
providing a model train on land near the
Railway Station. The train was hand built
by a Bloom group volunteer, and painted
by other group members. The train has
been called "LION" with the number 2014
on the engine and F L C on the tender.
The official opening with representatives
from Filey in Bloom, Filey Lions Club and
Filey’s Mayor and Mayoress.
Health and Disabilities
District Governor Andrew would like to see
all clubs support the District Health &
Disabilities Team and their programmes.
This is a great way to promote Lions and
the work we do in the wider community.
Members of the team are available to
provide information on Lions projects
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
across the District and visit clubs or
Zones.
They are happy to share information and
speak to clubs. Get in touch - it’s just a
click away!
Sue Barron Gift for Living
Hugh Kershaw Speech and Hearing
Nick Barron Special Olympics GB
Larry Collins Sight Projects
Pam Oliver Diabetes
John Sutherland Medic Alert
Gareth Jones Message in a Bottle
Mary Pearce LIBRA.
District 105NE Convention 2014 in
Dumfries on November 14 and 15
With Convention
drawing even closer
please do not forget to
let your Lions
colleagues in
Dumfries know that
you are coming along
to any of the events
associated with the
weekend so that they know the numbers
that have to be catered for, whether it be
seats, coffee, lunch or a social gathering
they need to know how many people have
to be accommodated.
District Convention is all members chance
to make their views known and is where
everyone can share their ideas.
Don’t miss out on a brilliant moment in
Scotland’s Queen of the South.
Join us on Facebook
Contact; Stuart Armstrong, Convention
Officer at [email protected]
Don’t forget that Lion John Leggett will be
on hand during Convention with the latest
new pins available for Rupert Gift for
Living, with special pins for Christmas and
Easter.
If you can’t attend you can order pins or
receive more information about Lions Pin
Collectors from Lion John at
[email protected]
Charity Nights a blooming success
Morpeth Lions have held two charity
nights at the Mulan Restaurant in Morpeth.
These were in support of the President
Stuart Lewis’s chosen charity, the
Bloomers Gardening Group.
Mayor Nic Best with the Town Hall staff
entering into the spirit in costume.
At each evening there was a short talk by
either Alan Dixon or Alison Wheatley of
Bloomers. Bloomers is a volunteer run
group for the Blind and Partially Sighted in
Northumberland. Its aim is give support to
or re-introduce the benefits of gardening.
Although one of the senses is impaired
gardening is great to fully use the senses
of smell and touch. It also helps get those
who are socially isolated out of the house
and meeting new people and making
friends. Additionally it can help build
confidence. Many of the Group were
previously gardeners have now returned
to a hobby they love. Some of their work
was used at Reiver House,
Northumberland County Blind Association
when the Britain in Bloom judges visited
earlier this year.
The events were supported by Morpeth’s
Mayor, Mayoress and Deputy Mayor,
Morpeth Chamber of Trade, staff from the
Town Council, Alnwick and Ponteland
Lions, Morpeth Rotarians and the
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
Chernobyl Children’s Trust. President
Stuart Lewis was delighted to present a
cheque for £1,200, the sum raised over
the two evenings. He thanked all those
attending and to the manager and staff at
the Mulan restaurant for hosting the
events.
the Peterlee and District Lions for
organising the family fun walk.”
The money raised will help the Gardening
Group buy new equipment, tools, seeds
and plants and help with transport costs.
Both Alan and Alison were overwhelmed
with the generosity which will make a big
difference to the Group.
The very first Lions walk, four years ago,
raised £1,500 for the Great North Air
Ambulance.
“It was great to see current and past Pools
players taking part and we are already
looking forward to next year’s event on 16
May.”
Visit your new website
District 105NE Lions new website is up
and running awaiting your contributions.
Send your club, zone, team and news
blogs to Richard Lukey to continue to
Strengthen the Pride in 105NE
Lions walk the walk in partnership
with the Pools
Peterlee and District Lions joined forces
with Hartlepool United FC, the Pools, to
organise a sponsored three-mile walk from
the Hearts of Oak Pub in Peterlee and
around the nearby Castle Eden Dene
earlier this year.
With all the money collected the Lions
have recently handed over the £2,675.50
proceeds to Hartlepool & District Hospice.
This is the third time that the Lions have
raised money for the Hospice through the
walk, having raised £1,750 the first year;
£2,000 last year and this year’s total
making a grand total of £6,425.50.
Charter Lion and walk co-ordinator
Tommy Miller, father of Pools number 10,
midfielder Tommy Miller junior, who took
part, said “It was a big help having former
Hartlepool players there.
We had 75 people taking part, including
about 15 past and current Pools players
and they said they would do it again. We
are now determined we’ll raise even more
with next year’s walk”
Lion Larry Collins of Peterlee and District
Lions Club receives thanks from Janice
Forbes of Hartlepool & District Hospice,
along with fellow Lions and hospice staff
after the presentation.
With thanks to Hartlepool Mail
Full House at Teesdale Lions Fish and
Chip Bingo
Teesdale and District Lions Club ran their
very popular fish and chip bingo supper
recently during which they served 111
portions of fish and chips and played
several games of bingo.
Lion President Tammy Emery said “We
were delighted by the turnout of our senior
citizens for this event which always
attracts a good following and it’s clear
everyone had a great night.”
Hospice community fundraiser Janice
Forbes said “I’d like to thank Tommy and
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
Durham Lions at the heart of the
community
The missing picture from October
Spotlight shows Lion President Alvan
Bailey making the award of the main prize
from the Durham Lions Annual Sponsored
Golf Tournament. The winning pair were R
is Liam Fenwick the Jaguar Sales Leader
of Stratstone Specialist Cars, one of the
regular sponsors of the tournament.
Near the end of the last Lions year
Durham Lions donated £400 to Guide
Dogs. This has now been put to good use
by adding it to a significant donation from
Whitworth Park School in Spennymoor,
enabling Guide Dogs to obtain and train a
new guide dog with the total donation of
£1,550. The new puppy is expected to be
with them sometime in March 2015. The
pupils picked a variety of names for the
puppy and the winner, Shadow, was
drawn out of a lucky dip.
The first
photo
shows two
pupils
together
with John
Hopper
from Guide
Dogs
holding the
cheque and
Lion Margaret Gibson, on the right. The
second photo shows one of the Guide Dog
puppies already in training.
Durham Lions held two bucket collections
at Asda Living, one in September and the
other in October. The total for the two
days was almost £350, which will be used
to fund another Christmas party for local
Senior Citizens.
The photo show Lion John King helping
out with the collections.
Arrangements are already under way to
set up the organisation of the party.
DG Team travels for October
October update
1st VDG Lion Dave joined the celebrations
for Filey Lions Club 50th Charter
Anniversary on behalf of DG Andrew on
25 October.
Zone Chairman 4B David Wilson attended
the three day Advanced Lions Leadership
Institute course at Birmingham on 28 to 30
October.
November
1 & 2 Lions 60th Europa
DG Andrew
Forum, Birmingham
6
Moffat Lions visit
DG Andrew
7
Membership
GMT & DG Team
10 Zone 2A and 2B
DG Andrew
Summit, Dundee
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE
14 & 15 District 105NE
DG Team
Convention, Dumfries
15 District Cabinet
Team Leaders
22 Malton & Norton District DG Andrew
Lions Club Charter
25 Dunfermline Lions visit DG Andrew
29 & GLT and GMT Summit 1st & 2nd
30
Birmingham
VDGs Dave and
IPDG Chris
Good to see you again
It was a case of ‘Good to see you again’
when Pegswood Community Fire Station
Manager Darren Nelson called in at a
recent meeting of Morpeth Lions Club.
Fortunately it was not an emergency that
had brought him to the meeting; in fact
more the reverse.
Earlier this year, the Northumberland Fire
and Rescue Service held an Open Day at
its Pegswood Community Fire Station.
This had previously happened two years
ago and the amount raised benefitted a
regional charity. When deciding which
organisation should be this year’s
recipient, memories went back to one of
the Fire Brigade’s major involvements –
the 2008 floods in Morpeth and
surrounding areas.
Darren explained that ‘While we were in
contact with many community groups, the
work undertaken then and now by
Morpeth Lions Club greatly impressed us.
We wanted to acknowledge this by
donating the Open Day proceeds to the
Club.
Northumberland Fire & Rescue Station
Manager Darren Nelson and Morpeth
Lions Club President Stuart Lewis.
Your December 2014 Spotlight
Thank you for all your news that keeps
rolling in. Please continue to send in your
news for all the different communications
channels available.
Lions are no longer a secret if you spread
the message to Strengthen the Pride.
If you have information you want
published please send this to Lachlan and
don’t forget to send to Richard for the
website/Twitter/ Facebook
Copy deadline for December 2014 is
Friday 21 November to allow for
compilation. This will hopefully allow for
distribution at the start of December, in
advance of Santa’s travels.
The day itself may have had mixed
weather but a great time was had by all
attending with a Brass Band and a
Highland Band adding to the atmosphere.
We are delighted to be able to donate a
cheque for £550 to the Club.’
In response, Lion President Stuart Lewis
said ‘On behalf of the Club I would like to
thank you and your colleagues for your
wonderful generosity and congratulate you
on organising such a successful event.
You can be assured that your contribution
will be well used for the benefit of the
community we both serve.’
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November 2014 Spotlight on 105NE