105W District Convention March 2015
As ever, the programme for the 105W convention in Cardiff started with Host Night on 6 March.
This year, our international guest was Past International Director, Dr Patti Hill, accompanied by her
husband Lion Greg. We were also graced with guests from other districts, including PCC Phil
Robinson and his wife Lion Jackie. The affair was very informal and our guests could mingle freely
with all present. Music, at a volume that permitted normal conversation, was provided by Lyndon
Jones. We were all pleased to meet and talk to PID Patti.
PID Patti, DG Tony and Lion Greg
Lyndon Jones
After the enjoyment of the Friday evening, convention was called to order on Saturday by Sergeant at
Arms, Lion Byron Hughes. Flags were paraded by Zone Chairmen and other District Officers, led by
the District Treasurer, Lion Alan Denham. The In Memoriam, remembered the ten lions from 105W
who have passed to Higher Service since last convention, was led by 2nd Vice District Governor,
Lion Godfrey Morris.
The international Guest, Patti, District Officers, Leos and Rachel Johnstone, regional fundraiser for
Hope for Tomorrow, were introduced to convention. For the third year running, the Leos were
holding their own annual convention at the same time as the Lions of 105W.
The Code of Ethics was read by 1st VDG Keith Wilding and the Ethics, by Zone Chairman, Lion
Keith Lawrence. 30 clubs were represented by 58 delegates and 22 alternates.
There being no resolutions for this convention to debate, we then proceeded to the presentation of the
candidates for DG (Lion Keith Wilding, Ross-on-Wye), 1st VDG (Lion Godfrey Morris, Bridgend)
and 2nd VDG, (Lion Steve Petty, Melksham). Voting for these candidates took place over lunch, and
in the afternoon, DG Tony was pleased to announce that all three had been duly elected.
District Treasurer, Lion Alan Denham, presented the accounts and moved their adoption, duly granted
by convention.
Rachel Johnstone, gave an informative presentation on Hope for
Tomorrow, a particular passion of DG Tony. Hope for Tomorrow was
founded in 2003 by Christine Mills, after losing her husband David to
Cancer. Christine’s passion to ease the strains on chemotherapy patients,
caused by having to visit oncology centres, led to the launching of the
world’s first mobile chemotherapy unit in 2007. Like the Air Ambulances,
these units are funded entirely by public donation, although staffed by
NHS nurses. It is Christine’s dream to have a unit in every county.
Growth has been tremendous: there are currently 8 units operating, and
there are expected to be 10 in operation later this year – still a lot of
counties to cover! Over £32,000 has been raised by Lions nationally.
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Thank you Christine (now an MBE) for your vision and thank you Rachel for the presentation. We
later found out that this was Rachel’s first public presentation; well done, it was excellent. Over the
weekend, we were able to raise over £200 for the charity, by the sale of two Beryl Cook paintings,
some dubious auctioning by PDG Harry Smith and ‘taking of wine’ at the banquet and ball.
PDG John Charles presented the Mervyn Bennett Memorial trust report and this was followed by Lion
Julia O’Neill, District Centennial Celebrations officer who laid down the International Presidents
challenge: to help 100 million people by June 2018, 25 million each in the areas of Sight, Hunger,
Environment and Youth. Julia told us that we have already helped 20 million in the last 6 months, so
it is not an impossible challenge. Figures are derived from the MyLCI activities reports, so she
encouraged us to submit those reports regularly – let’s do it together.
PDG Larry Pearce then
introduced the Leos of
Ross and Porthcawl……
Leo President Flora told
us about the activities
they have been engaged
in, helping the Teenage
Cancer Trust, Riding for
the disabled, Children in
Hospital, the homeless
amongst others. Ross
Leos are supporting a
Leos club in Uganda, and to that end are funding them with £100 a year towards their running costs.
Answering the question “Why join Leos?”, she listed meeting new friends of different ages, and
developing life skills as major factors. She gave us two interpretations of the LEOS acronym –
Leadership, Experience and Opportunity and also Let’s Enjoy Ourselves. The Leos then livened up
Convention by demonstrating their ‘team action song’ I’m Alive, Alert, Awake, Enthusiastic, and had
the whole of convention joining in - you can see Patti enthusiastically taking part! We look forward
to them joining us again next year.
Jenny Holmes presented the competition winners:
Peace Poster: Catrin, sponsored by Ross-on-Wye.
Forest of Dean: best maintained website.
Newport & Usk Vale: highest membership growth.
Travelling Lion: Glantawe (again!). There was some serious competition this
year, with first time entry, Radstock & Midsomer Norton coming third –
watch out Glantawe!
DG Tony presented the ‘Best Club’ award to Chippenham.
DG 103NIE France, Lion Dominique Mallet, assisted by interpreter, Lion Ken
Tatam, addressed convention, bring best wishes from their district. He
elaborated on the used spectacles joint project, telling us how we could increase
our co-operation and even how we could influence the distribution of these
spectacles. We then witnessed the signing of a new treaty between the districts
– a historic occasion.
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Young Ambassador, Toni-Louise, sponsored by Glantawe Lions, addressed convention, telling us
what she has been up to – a busy girl indeed!
DG Elect Keith, 1st VDG Elect Godfrey and 2nd VDG Elect Steve then all addressed convention.
In making his acceptance speech, Keith outlined the key points he intended to make the focus of the
future for the District. He reinforced Membership and Leadership as key areas for District
Development, offering help to Clubs that want to grow and looking for and training those Lions who
have the desire and ability to become leaders. He asked Clubs to think carefully about supporting the
Lions own Charity Foundation, LCIF, but he reminded everyone that Lions are not just fundraisers
and that he will be spending time promoting one simple but effective Service - the Recycling of
Spectacles.
The Bob & Joy Cook Trust report was presented and a grant was made to Dursley Lions, supporting
an 8 year old girl with cerebral palsy. The grant is going towards the provision of a wheel chair
costing £7,000. The wheel chair is fully adjustable, and will be useable into her adult life. It will
increase her mobility and with have an enormous positive effect on her life.
Sergeant at Arms, Byron, on behalf of the Convention committee, gave the presentation on the 2016
Convention. The 41st District 105W Convention will be held at the Parkway Hotel & Spa, Cwmbran,
4-6 March 2016.
Whilst Convention was taking place, the Partners enjoyed a convivial session on the art of flower
arranging. Although brief in time it was interesting and informative and gave partners a chance to get
together before re-joining Convention for the International Speaker.
PCC Lion Phil Robinson introduced Lion Dr Patti Hill who addressed convention
with the keynote speech. This was far ranging and addressed what has and what
has not changed over the past 40 years or so. She encouraged us to TELL and
INVITE people to join Lions, and when we get them to WELCOME them.
Individually we can do little, together we can do much.
DGE Keith thanked Patti for her inspirational and motivational presentation.
DG Tony then made his personal awards: to DGE Keith Wilding, 1st VDGE Godfrey Morris, 2nd
VDGE Steve Petty, DS Laurence Morrissey, DT Alan Denham, Convention Organiser, Byron
Hughes, Convention Secretary Martin Horton, GMT coordinator, Keith Messenger, GLT coordinator
Bill O’Neill, District Centennial Coordinator, Julia O’Neill and Competitions Organiser, Jenny
Holmes. He said that without these people, running the district and convention would not have been
possible.
PDG Bill O’Neill proposed the vote of thanks to DG Tony.
Following convention, all club presidents and vice presidents present were invited to meet Dr Patti in
an informal gathering. This was in addition to the traditional gathering that was held on the Sunday
morning where we were able to quiz the International President’s representative on any aspect of
Lions and Lionism.
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Saturday’s events concluded with the traditional banquet and ball which was also attended by the
Mayor of Cardiff, Counsellor Margaret Jones and her consort and husband, Lawrence. Margaret
responded to the toast ‘Our Partners and Guests’, extending a ‘Warm Cardiff Welcome’ to all present.
Amongst the many presentations, DG Tony presented Patti with a welsh love spoon as a memento of
her visit to 105W.
Here’s looking forward to next year.
Derek Livsey, District ‘News Update’ Editor
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