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 2012

• Saturday 25th August, Duck Race: Fine weather for ducks, and fortunately it was not too bad for the rest of us.  Organised by Lion Alan, the ducks swam in several heats.  The first prize winner, £50, 286, purchased by a Shoscombe resident.  The £30 prize, 384 belonged to a Radstock resident, whilst the £20 prize, 268 was purchased by a Midsomer Norton resident.  Lion President Robert said "Everyone who took part was a winner, helping those in need in these troubled times."

  Thursday 16th August BBQ at Cheshire Home, Timsbury: Celebrating with a £1000.00 cheque, residents of Cheshire Home, Timsbury, enjoyed the fine weather and a barbecue with staff and lions club members.  Lion President Robert, presented the cheque to Service manager, Fran Ashby, whilst residents and lions looked on. b The cheque represented the proceeds from our annual golf day back in June.
  The head gardener, Martin Chalkley has been busy and the gardens were looking at their very best.  KJ Carpets of Midsomer Norton had donated Astro Turf for the new putting greens which the residents will no doubt, be putting to good use.
  Lion President Robert, thanked Fran for the invitation to Lions for the barbeque and congratulated her and the staff for their work with the residents.

  July, Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver Band: On 10th March, the, the Midsomer Norton & Radstock Silver Band travelled to Torquay to compete in the National Brass Band West of England Regional Championships.  This is the second time they have entered this competition since 2006 and last year after a break of 4 years and with new Musical Director, Joanne Sykes, entered and came a pleaseing 14th out of 22 bands.  However, this yeare, after what was described by the adjudicators as "a very coherent musical performance", came away as winners in a filed of 25 bands.  This is an amazing result and is something that many players never achieve in a lifetime of playing.  "Our reward is an invitation to attend the National Finals at Cheltenham in September, to compete against the other regional winners, in an attempt to become the Fourth Section Champions of Great Britain".  The Band are really keen to accept this invitation to compete in the finals but this will involve a significant cost.
  We were pleased to be able to sponsor this group of mainly young people who have been entertaining the local community for the last 100 years or so.
  A cheque for £250 was presented to the band by President Robert Briggs.

  Monday 25th June, Seniors Golf Competion: the 9th Annual golf tournament at Farrington Golf Club, saw 70 players, ladies and men, occupying the course until tea time, keeping us busy with the scores in the Four Ball Better Ball and Putting competitions.  Organised by Lions Derek Yelling and Geoff Moore, ably assisted by other Lions and Farrington Senior Golf Captain, Rob Thain.  The processes witll be donated to Cheshire Home, Timsbury, SWALLOW and Lions Charities.  Incoming President, Robert Briggs thanked the sponsors, those who gave the quality draw prizes, the local press for publicity and Farrington Golf Club for allowing the use of the course.  The winners, were T Hobbs and J Stone, members of Tracey Park Golf Club, who collected the Cameron Wood Trophy and "Tea for Two" at Ston Easton Park .

  Thursday 7th June, Aid to Paulton hospital:  New and replacement Hospital equipment is always welcome by specialists and nursing staff working in our local hospitals. Sue Padfield, Chairman of Paulton League of friends, mentioned this when she contacted your club with a request for a number of items required.
  these included a Two in One Cross Trainer Physio Exercise machine and software package with two Sonicaids for the Maternity department (baby heart rate monitors for use during labour). The cost of these items were within the Lions budget of £1500 for this equipment.
  Thanking Lions for their help and donations of this new equipment, Sue said it was very welcome and would be used extensively for the benefit of patients from the local community. The money was raised with donations from the 2011 golf tournament organised by Geoff Moore and many Lions.

  Thursday 31st May, Alexander's New Wheels:  Alexander is an eight year old boy who was born with Pseudoachondroplasia, a painful form of dwarfism that affect the bones and joints.  he needed a powered wheelchair to help in interact with his friends.  Alexander's New Wheels, a local fundraising charity group was set up in November 2011 and is made up from his friends and parents and staff from Timsbury school.  Last December Lions donated £2000.00 to help this fund with a promise of more to come.  The group has now reached their target and the wheel chair has now arrived.  We were pleased to donate the proceeds from the Sherbourne Town Band concert held on 14th April.  More information here.

  Saturday, 19th May. Chateau Gontier Lions, Twinning Visit:  We were delighted to welcome members of our twin club, Chateau Gontier, France.  They had arrived in London on Thursday, and visited the tourist sights of London, including Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.  They stayed in Windsor, and also enjoyed exploring though were disappointed not be be able to enter the Castle.  We met them at the Jolliffee Arms, Kilmersdon, where we held our annual twinning meeting when they gave an impressive slide show on the progress of our joint project in Pointe Sarene, Senegal.  Together with Chateau Contier, we have funded the production of simple wood burning stoves.  These, by, containing heat, make the fires much more efficient, reducing the amount of firewood that has to be collected by 60 to 70% and thus improving quality of life for the villagers.  A truly appropriate use of technology in this setting.  40 stoves were produced last year, followed by a further 40 this year.  Following the meeting, a traditional pub lunch replenished them after their journey from Windsor.  They then retired to their host's homes for a short rest before venturing out to the Crown at Clapton for more English tradition, a pub skittles match!  Whilst the French do not play skittles in France, they exhibited a surprising degree of skill, perhaps the skills of Boules is transferable!
  More information here.

  High Littleton Quizzes 13th May: We have been running quizzes at High Littleton British Legion for many years.  This came to an end in 2011 when the British legion club was forced to close.  The Recreation Club offered us a new home and we were delighted to accept, so since September 2011 until this month, we have been running monthly quizzes at the Recreation Club.  These have been well supported by the village.  We were delightedat the last quiz of the the season when the recreational club recognised us by donating £50 to our charity funds.  We are now taking a short rest until the autumn, when quizzes will start again on September 2nd when any new teams will be welcomed along with our regulars.  Over the last season, over £600 has been raised by entry fees and raffles for our charity funds which will be set aside for deserving causes.  Thanks were extended to Lion President Richard Munden who has set the questions and organised the quizzes, supported by his team of markers and announcers, Lions Phil H, Alan, Robert and Barry.

  Business meeting, 1st May: At our business meeting we were pleased to welcome our fourth lady member, Mrs Hazel Williams, of Paulton.  Hazel moved from Devon, where she had worked for the North Devon College, to Paulton, some four years ago and has been busy integrating herself into the local community ever since then.  She has been a member of PADS, is an active member of the U3A and has been secretary of Holy Trinity PCC, Paulton, for the last year.  However this is not enough for Hazel, and after visiting the club for the last few months has decided that Lions is for her.  After the enrolment ceremony, when she pledged her allegiance to the club, she delighted us with a poem that she had composed for the occasion.
  Joining the Lions
  I thought that Lions were all “fellas”;
  I really didn’t know that they had voted to let “girlies” in a little while ago.
  Then I found out I could join them, helping our community.
  Lions raise a lot of money and give it to charity.
  Lions put in lots of effort to help people in distress;
  So I hope I will be useful now I am a “Lioness”.
  
  Hazel will serve on the Fundraising committee.

  35th Charter: Sunday 15th April: We held our 35th Charter Anniversary Dinner at Cameley Lodge.  Sunday lunch was attended by over 80 Lions and partners, including District Governors, Presidents and other officers.  Lunch was prepared by proprietor John Harris and his staff.  Two cheques were presented, one for £200.00 to District Governor Laurence Pearce for his charity, Action for Children, the other for £2000.00 to Christine Mills for Hope for Tomorrow.  Christine set up the charity in following the death of her husband from cancer in 2003.  Lion President Richard Munden has made hope for Tomorrow his charity for the year.  Hope for Tomorrow is a charity best described as Chemotherapy on Wheels.  The units reduce the travelling time taken for patients in outlying areas.  President Richard thanked our members for their help and assistance, making his year of office so pleasing.  Master of Ceremonies, Lion Phil Hathway closed the afternoon event with thanks to everyone for attending.

  Alexander's New Wheels: An outstanding performance by the Sherborne Town Band, of light and airy music set the stage for a wonderful evenings entertainment.  The twenty eight talented musicians gave a performance under the baton of Musical Director Paul Cosh, far exceeding their visit two years ago.  We ran the concert in aid of eight year old Alexander, who suffers from a painful form of dwarfism that affects bones and joints.  A special wheelchair has been purchased by the appeal and the proceeds of this concert was for the upkeep, insurance and maintenance in the future.  The concert opened with P Sparks Jubilee Overture, a lively and strong start to what was to be a concert of high quality music.  Highlights of the first half was flugel soloist, Steve Rogers with Sondheim's Send in the Clowns, Elgar's first movement, Worcester Cathedral and Peter Graham's Aspects of Lloyd Webber.    633 Squadron by R Goodwin started the second half followed by JA Greenwood's The Acrobat with soloist Paul Slator.  Best of the concert was the Humming Chorus by G Puccini with four cornets playing into two double bases producing a sound as different as was unbelievable!  Lion President Richard thanked everyone for supporting the concert, the proceeds gong to Alexander's new Wheels, the bad for a fine evenings entertainment and Paul Cosh for his good work in organising the programme, the church ladies for their catering and St John Ambulance for their attendance.  Thanks were also given to our sponsors, Edwards the Opticians, Dave Fowler, Midsomer Norton Post Office, Rose Craft, John Martin Coaches, Courtyard Natural Therapy, Barons Estate Agents and N Brooks, gas installations.
  It was a pleasure to see Alexander, his sister Rosilyn, mum Suzanne and dad Mark.  Thanks were given to Lion Barry for the organisation.

  April business meeting: Immediate past president, Lion Geoff Moore, was surprised by Lion President Richard, when he was presented with his 30 year service award.  Thanking Geoff for his 30 years service, he was corrected, it's two years too late!.  This raised a laugh as Geoff is sometimes late for meetings!  His record of active club service is remarkable, serving on all but the committees apart from fundraising though Geoff is not a stranger to fundraising as he was responsible to initiating the club's annual golf tournament held at Farrington Golf Club.  He is still involved in this event.  He has also been involved with the twinning of our club with Chateau Gontier Lions Club in one of his favourite countries, France.  Accepting the applause, Geoff thanked everyone for their help and kindness over the years, but did not produce his favourite tipple, whisky to celebrate.

  March: Easter Eggs: Nearly 50 eggs have been specially for the club, and these have been distributed to local establishments (pubs etc) where they will be raffled, enabling the club to raise monies for local deserving causes.  Many of these are for children with disabilities and our aim is to help them and make their life more comfortable.  Specialist wheelchairs are not cheap and this is where we can help.  We have helped to purchase a number of these wheelchairs to help relive pain and suffering, and to increase mobility.

  7th February, Business Meeting: Dimensions: Helping Lions to help others, members of Dimensions presented our club with a cheque for £324.60.  This was raised from a sponsored walk from Bradford upon Avon to Bath.  Dimensions is a national organisation which supports people with Learning Disabilities or Autism.  Nationally they support 4500 people, and 225 in the South West.  They help people to develop independence, life skills and be involved in their local local community. 
  In the past, the Lions have supported Dimensions by donating prizes and lending equipment for Summer Fetes, so the group decided to give something back.
  The walk took place along the canal tow path between Bradford upon Avon and Bath.  It took the walkers 7 hours to complete. 
  Trina Ford, Support Advisor with Dimensions, said that everyone had a great day, but were tired at the end!  The group hope to arrange more fund raising events this year.

  Writhlington School Project: Eighteen boys and girls from the 6th form 1st year students at Writhlington School are going to Nepal, leaving on the 25th March and staying for three weeks.  Helping underprivileged and disabled children, they are going to build a school playground and teach English, all under the guidance of the Kevin Memorial Eco Foundation, under the leadership of Graham Grethridge, the students have raised £1800 each to cover the cost, doing anything and everything to raise money during the past year.  Your club has sponsored Hanna Button, Natalie Dunn and Holly Hudson with £180 each to help the final fund raising push.

  Lions help for Alexander's Wheels: Alexander is an 8 year old boy who lives in Farmborugh and goes to St Mary's Primary in Timsbury.  He was born with pseudoachondroplasia, which is a painful form of dwarfism that affects the bones and joints.  Alexander needs a powered wheelchair to help him interact with his friends.  Alexander's New Wheels is a local fundraising group which launched in November and is made up from Alexander's family, friends and parents and staff from his school.  More information is available on their website, www.alexandersnewwheels.co.uk .
  The club have donated £2000 to help this fund, with a promise of more to come.  Lion President Richard said "Our thanks to to the general public for your gifts, generosity and donations, without which we would be unable to help Alexander in his time of need.

  9th January, Club visit to Worle: Lion President Richard, Lions Alan, Derek L, Derek Y, Phil H and Tony ventured forth and visited Worle Lions.  Prior to the meeting, we enjoyed a meal at the Windsor Castle in Worle.  Lion Caple, a previous member of our club, transferred to Worle a few years ago.  A most enjoyable meeting, further enhanced by Worle enrolling 4 new members at that meeting.  Our especial thanks to Secretary Sylvia and President Keith for making us so welcome.  Worle Lions can be found at http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/worle/index.php