RADSTOCK and MIDSOMER NORTON LIONS CLUB
		in Lions District 105W of Multiple Lions District 105 - British Isles and Ireland
		Radstock is in South West England HOME

Club NEWS 2009

• For news 2008, click here.

• December:  Carol Float:

  December: Carol Float:  Despite the bad weather, we only had to call off three collections.  We were unable to visit Timsbury and High Littleton due to the snow and ice.  Despite this, we managed to raise just under £3,500.  Our thanks to the public who gave so generously in these hard times. Photo: The Sleigh, Father Christmas and his anonymous elves.

• 6 December: Christmas Concert:

  Our annual Christmas Concert was held this year at the Centurion Hotel, Midsomer Norton.  The Westfield Ladies Choir, conducted by Geoff Miles and accompained by Becci Nerdon, sang to a full house.  Master of Ceremonies, Lion Robert Briggs, introduced Heather Hill with her excellent readings, Hazel Williams with her amusing monologues,  Margaret Whatley accompanied and Irene Leet and Jane Harris,  with their fine singing.  The traditional collection for water re-hydration tablets, realised £165, which the club will double.  Lion President Derek Livsey, thanked all the artistes, Centurion Hotel for allowing free use of the Hotel facilities, St John Ambulance, Lion Robert for organising the concert, the audience for attending and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Photo: Westfield Ladies Choir, still smiling after the concert, with conductor, Geoff Miles and pianist, Becci Nerfon.

• 1 December: District Governor visits club:

  The club gave a warm welcome to District Governor, Lion Martin Ruddle.  He thanked the club for the work done by its members and complimented the club on the way it balanced aid to local and international causes. Photo: Lion President Derek Livsey, exchanging banners with District Governor Lions Martin Ruddle.

• 28 November: Supermarket Draw:

  The club held a very successful daw at Radstock Co-operative Society, selling tickets from Thursday to Saturday and again, for a second year running, sold all the tickets. Winning ticket went to Shirley Carey and Mr Chalmers from Radstock, Mrs Francis of Hemmington and Mr Moulder. We would like to thank everyone who participated in this event, organised by Lion Barry, and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. An especial thanks to Mr Moulder, who donated his winnings back to Lions charity funds. Photo: Lion Russell, Albert Moulder, head of retail operations, Glen Bridges, customer service assistant and Lion President Derek.

• 7 November: Cheddar Male Choir & Horizon:

  Cheddar Male choir and Horizon joined forces once again to provide a concert for your club.  Concert organist Mark Ireland started the evening with a variety of music.  Musical Director and Master of Ceremonies, Rick Bowers, introduced all the item in the programme, from Mozart to the Seekers.  They were ably supported by Horizon. The choir ended the evening with Y Darium, the story of two art students, Take me Home, dedicated to the miners of the area and finally The Rhythm of Life. Lion President Derek thanked all who had helped with the concert, organised by Lion Barry Rogers. Photo: Mark Ireland, Guitarist Andrew Slade, Pianist Paul Beechey, Lion President Derek, Cheddar MC President Nigel Deane, MD Rich Bowers, Secretary Alan Fox and Horizon member Matt Mears.

• 3 November: Hop, Skip & Jump:

  Helping children and young people with special needs, the club donated £500 to the Kingswood centre of Hop, Skip & Jump.  At our business meeting, their management committee member, Liz Evans, gave a short presentation on the work of the centre.   The centre is a giant log cabin and provides day care and supervised play for children and young people.  Its aim is to provide a safe haven where they happily play and have fun, giving parents much needed respite and support.  The cabin includes a hughe internal play area, art and craft rook, soft play area, quiet room and other specially designed rooms. Find out more about Hop, Skip & Jump at their web site, www.hopskipandjump.org.uk Photo: Lion Russell, Welfare Chairman, Liz Evens, President Derek, Lion Terry.

• 20 October: Holcombe Majorettes:

  Under the leadership of Mary Duery, the Holcombe majorettes came 4th this year at the European Championships held recently in Croatia, after winning gold in 2008.   They will be competing again next year in Switzerland. Your club was pleased to help with travelling expenses for this event. Photo: Lion President Derek, Mary, and welfare chairman, Lion Russell, together with members of the troupe in their 2010 England team track suits.

• 15 October: Action for ME:

  The club was honoured by the presence of Sir Peter Spencer, CEO of the charity Action for ME.  Sir Peter gave an informative and interesting talk on the problems of ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis).  This affliction is much misunderstood, and his talk went a long way towards dispelling some of the ignorance surrounding this affliction.  You can find out more about ME on their web site, www.afme.org.uk. Over the past year, the club has run quiz nights at the British Legion in High Littleton, and we were pleased to see their Chairman, Harold Hill, at the event and we are grateful for his support for these events which have been running for a number of years. Photo: Lion President Derek, Lion Alan, Sir Peter and Lion Richard.

• 14 October: Presentation to CHSW:

  The Club's annual Senior's Golf competition was held in June.  This event raised £2000 and today the monies were presented to Children's Hospice South West, together with other monies raised by the Farrington Golf Club and other individual donations. Jane Powell, accepted the cheque on behalf of CHSW and gave a short presentation on the work of the hospice. Photo, Members of the Farrington club, together with Lion president Derek, Jane, Lion Alan and Lion Geoff.

• 10 October: Disasters Collection:

  There have been several natural disasters recently, the Philippines Typhoon on the 26th September, the Tsunami in Samoa on the 29th September and the recent earthquake in Indonesia. The club decided at the business meeting earlier this week, that we would collect in support all of these natural disasters. Bath & North East Somerset council provided a collection licence at very short notice, and we were able to collect £240 on Saturday 10th.  Our grateful thanks to all the kind people of Midsomer Norton who contributed to these causes.  These monies will be administered through Lions international, and will be distributed by Lions in the countries affected. Photo: Welfare Chairman Lion Russell and Secretary Lion Alan.

• 27 September: Geoff Ridout Memorial dedication:

  Lion Geoff Ridout, a charter member of the club passed to higher service in July 2007.  As a memorial, the club has provided an altar cloth for Geoff's church, St Vigors, Stratton-on-the-Fosse.  The alter cloth was dedicated by the vicar, the Rev Chris North, at the harvest festival service today.

• 19 September: Duck Race beneficiary:

  Our duck race beneficiary this year was the Henry Ford Trust.  This will help in the treatment of Henry's diplegia cerebral palsy.  The latest news is that Henry is doing really well with his exercises.  Full time core control to stand unaided will be the ultimate achievement.  He can already ride his bike.  Event organiser Lion Dave and President Derek said it was great that the club could assist in this way and thanked all Lions and local people for their help.  For more information about Henry and the trust, visit henryfordtrust.co.uk Photo: Lion Dave Ingram, the Poly and SImon with Henry and William and Lion President Derek Livsey, presenting the cheque for £1000.

• 22 August: Duck Race:

  Saturday was a beautiful day for our duck race.  All 1000 ducks were sold, the last being sold 10 minutes before the race. Photos: Lion President Derek Livsey,  and Lion Dave Ingram, the event organiser.  Launching ducks and the ducks approaching the first obstacle!

• 12 August: Duck Race sponsor:

  Sainsbury's have donated a shopping voucher in support of our prizes for the Duck Race, to be held on Saturday 22nd August.  The race will be held on the Somer, starting outside the Post Office in Midsomer Norton High Street.  Proceeds from the race this year are going to the Henry Ford Trust. The club is very grateful for all the help business and the general public has given for this appeal.  The presentation was made by store manager, Julie Orchard, supported by commercial team leader, Paul Baker. Photo: Lion President Derek Livsey, Julie Orchard, Paul Baker and Lion Dave Ingram, the event organiser, complete with ducks and collecting bucket!

• 10 July: Handover, Cameley Lodge:

  We again held our handover celebrations in the lovely surroundings of Cameley Lodge, who, as ever, provided an excellent meal.  Retiring after two years in office, President Alan spoke of the very busy time which he had enjoyed, raising money for the Chew Lake Association for Disabled Sailors, his main charity.  He thanked Chairmen and Lions members of the various committees and our Ladies for their hard work, making his job as President easier.  Passing over the chain of office to new President, Derek Livsey, he wished him well for his year of office.  Thanking Alan for his best wishes, Derek promised to try to emulate Alan's successes, a hard act to follow. His main charity for the next year is Hope For Tomorrow, which provides mobile chemotherapy units.  These reduce the stress that some cancer suffers experience, due to having to travel long distances for their treatments.  Photo: Lion President Derek L, 1st Vice President Geoff and IPP Alan D.

• 13 July: It is with great regret that we announce the passing to higher service of Lion Bob Adams.  Bob had been a member of the club since January 1982, he was President in 1982.  Our condolences go to his widow, Vera.  Bob will be sorely missed.

• 7 July: Business Meeting:

  At our meeting, the club was please to formally accept Alan Gorse into the family of Lions. Alan has been to a number of our meetings and we look forward to working with him in the future. Photo: Lions Rob, Alan G and Lion President Alan D.

• 5 July: Senior Citizens Garden Party:

  Our annual garden party was held in the grounds of Chris Jones' lovely garden.  Despite the showery  weather, those hardy folk who turned up, enjoyed the refreshments of scones, strawberry jam and cream with tea and coffee, provided by the Lions Ladies, with the fine sound of the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band, under their Musical Director, Colin Cunliffe. Our ladies worked behind the scenes, with the scones and drinks being delivered by club members in their usual manner. Making his last appearance as Club President, Lion Alan Denham gave thanks to St John Ambulance, the Silver Band, Lions Welfare Chairman, Terry Porter for his fine organisation, Lions Ladies for their assistance and to Sheila and Chris Jones for the use of their beautiful garden. Photo: Lions Terry and Lion President Alan, partaking of a cream tea with some of our guests.

• 26 June: Network Learning Bath: For the third year running, the club was pleased to sponsor and judge this event.  It was hosted by Widcombe Junior School, Bath, the winners of the event last year.  Congratulations to Year 6 girls from Widcome School who were successful in retaining the title with a presentation on Tiger Poaching.  Lions Russell and Barry assisted by Margaret Briggs, judged the competition and were very impressed by the presentations by all the schools.  All the competitors received a £5 book token and the winners received a £50 book token and will be looking after the winners shield for the coming year.  www.widcombecejuniorschool.co.uk

• 6 June: Quiz night:

  The Royal British Legion at High Littleton has been the venue for the club to hold their monthly, light hearted, quiz nights.   Together with the Legion chairman and secretary, Harold Hill, these quizzes have raised over £4,000 during the last seven years.  Prize draws also contribute to the monies raised.  Lion Richard Munden is the quiz organiser and is ably assisted by questionmasters Phil and Alan.  Proceeds this year are being donated to Action for ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis).  Quizzes restart on the 6th September. Photo: Lions Phil and Robert, Harold Hill (Legion Chairman), Lion Barry and quiz organiser, Lion Richard.

• 1 June: Seniors Golf competition

  Photo: Lion Geoff Moore, winners T. Tims & D. Amor, President Alan Denham, and Kevin Seery, FarrintonSeniors club captain.

  This year saw the 6th annual Golf Day. It was a fine day and the course was in pristine condition and over 60 golfers from clubs seniors sections took part. Golfers from Brean, Saltford, Reading, Melksham, Weston-super-Mare and Long Sutton supported this event, held in aid of the Children's Hospice South West. at Wraxall. Once again well organised by Lion Geoff, the event featured a draw with the first prize being a balloon flight, donated by BIBS (Bath Investment Building Society), Other prizes were donated by BuildBase, Farrington Golf Club and the Bucher's Arms. The event winners were T. Timms & D. Amor (Taunton Golf Club) and runners up were B. Tucker & T. Rober (Brean) and I. Morsat & D. Right (Yeovil). The putting competition was won by C. Vian who also won the first prize in the draw. Grateful thanks are extended to all the players and sponsors of this event, making it yet again, very successful.

• 19 April: 32nd CHARTER CELEBRATION

The club celebrated its 32nd year with a Charter Lunch at Cameley Lodge.  Guest speakers were the District Governor, Lion Surinder Malhotra, accompanied by his wife, Lion Indu and Dennis Chedgy, a founder member of Radstock Museum and his wife, Sylvia. It was good to see representatives from other clubs, Bristol Brunel, Chippenham, Frome, Keynsham, Ross-on-Wye, Severn Dean and Swindon.  Rotary President, Reid Spiers and his wife were also guests of the club. Lion Phil was MC and Lion Russell said grace. Lion President Alan thanked all fellow Lions for their help and commitment to the club events during the year.  DG Lion Surinder presented Lion Alan with the International President's Medal of Honour and a certificate of appreciation to President Elect, Derek L.  The toast to our ladies and guests was delivered by Derek L and responded to by Dennis Chedgy who gave an informative and amusing talk relating his experiences in connection with the Museum. Our thanks go to Cameley Lodge for an excellent meal and service. Photo: Lion President Alan (left) and District Governor Lion Surider Malhotra.

• 20 March:
  Second leg of our annual skittles match was held at the Radstock and Working men's club.  Despite not having the inspiration of the Club President, we maintained and extended our lead to 53 pins.  The duck is therefore still in Rotary's safe(?) hands until next year.

• 27 February:

  First leg  of our annual skittles match with Rotary at Tuckers Grave showed some good scores, but Lions had the upper hand and ended up with 299 points to Rotary's 270.  We look forward to the return match! Photo: Lion and Rotary captains with the Duck trophy.

• For news 2008, click here.