Issue 10 Multiple District 105 ioness Newsletter Multiple District Lioness Chairman 2015 to 2017 - Angela Howard Hello everyone, since the last newsletter the time seems to have flown by, there has been lots to do and people to see, and of course preparing and finalising details for the highlight of our year, our MD Lioness Conference. This is always a very special event, and even more so this year because we were able to start the celebration of our 40 years of service, with the Ruby Review, which was very entertaining. Having heard about the plans that clubs are making for the 3rd June for their ruby events, I am sure we are all going to have a fantastic day, and I am really looking forward to being part of such a special moment in our history. Since returning from the Conference I have received some very nice messages, in praise of the Lionesses of MD 105 and the wonderful work you do and also the warmth and hospitality shown to our guests over that weekend. Our Chairman of Council Lion Heather Jeavons, in her address to Conference was also very complimentary and praiseworthy about the Lionesses and I understand has also spread the word further on Facebook. What a difference a year makes! We are still maintaining contact with our International friends and making sure they receive a copy of our MD Newsletter, which is also sent out to District Governors and other senior Lions. So Lionesses please make sure you keep sending in all your news and photographs and help us to keep promoting you, and all the great work you do. Since October 2015, we have come a long way and have made considerable progress towards rebuilding our organisation and our future. Your Advisory Body and I are continuing to work very hard on your behalf to ensure that Lionesses go from strength to strength. If any Lioness would like to come along to a meeting they would be very welcome, we would be delighted to see you. Thank you Lionesses for all your continued hard work and the amazing results you achieve, I should also like to thank you for all your kindness and hospitality shown to me as I go around on my travels throughout the MD. I look forward to continuing my travels over the next few months, seeing more Lionesses and hearing about your future plans. March 4th: District A Lions Convention 6th: Felixstowe Lioness Club Meeting 13th: Witham & District Lioness Club Quiz Night 17th - 19th: District 105EA Lions Convention April 2nd: Advisory Body Meeting Lions Headquarters 5th: Leicester Business Meeting TBC 21st - 23rd: Multiple District 105 Lions Convention 29th: District SE Lioness District Meeting 29th: Deal & District Lioness Club Charter Anniversary 1
29th Multiple District 105 Lioness Clubs Annual Conference Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February 2017 Thanks to Chair of Council Lion Heather Months in the planning and finally the weekend was here, Friday saw the arrival of many Lionesses from throughout MD 105 who had travelled miles to be here to meet old friends and new and start celebrating their 40 years of service. Having booked in, visited the registration desk it was time to settle in with lots of time to relax, chat and enjoy a lovely evening meal. After a restful night s sleep, and a hearty breakfast it was now time to listen to the Sergeant at Arm s calling Lionesses to order and enter the Conference Room for the annual AGM. Saturday was a full and enjoyable day, beginning with the flag ceremony, the three flags being carried in by three of the Past Multiple District Lioness Chairman. It was then time to remember those Lionesses and family members who have been called to higher service, a very touching moment as the candle was lit and a minute silence observed. Host Governor Lion Nigel Folkard of District 105EA Judging Scrapbooks Dr Rosa Matheson and Lioness Chris Carr Top Table introductions having been made, a warm welcome extended to all those present, the 29th Annual Lioness Conference was declared officially open. District Governor of 105 EA Lion Nigel Folkard then extended a warm welcome to his District and wished everyone a successful and enjoyable Conference. Throughout the day, all official business was done, including a resolution for an increase in MD subscriptions being passed as well as the election of Lioness Jeannette Morgan as MD Chairman for 2017-2019 and Lioness Pauline Nix as MD Secretary for 2017-2018. Congratulations to both of them. We also heard both Past International Director Lion Phil Nathan give a heart warming update of Lions Projects and Council Chairman Lion Heather Jeavons give a very positive and praiseworthy address to Lionesses. Dr. Rosa Matheson gave a very enlightening and moving talk about the Freedom Kit Bags which the Lioness Clubs are now considering taking on as our next MD Project. More Conference News on Page 3 2 Chair of Council Lion Heather Jeavons Past International Director Lion Phil Nathan
Conference News cont d Felixstowe Lionesses celebrate Lioness achievements The Ruby Review which was performed in two halves by representative from individual Lioness Clubs was very enjoyable and entertaining. In this 40th year of service, Lioness Jeanne Morgan of Pontefract Lioness Club, who was the first Lioness to be inducted and also the first Lioness President in MD105, was presented with a certificate of appreciation and gifts in recognition of her 40 years service. Congratulations go to our competition winners, London Golders Green Lioness Club who won the Scrapbook competition and Pontefract Lioness Club who won the Travelling Lioness Competition. In keeping with tradition the day finished with our final speaker who this year was Brenda Eyres who gave a light hearted talk called Outdoor Girl. The day finished with the closing ceremony and the singing of Auld Lang Syne. After a short break, it was time to get ready to party; off to the evening Banquet and Ball, where everyone enjoyed a lovely meal and danced the night away to the music of the excellent duo The Night Shades". Pontefract Lionesses win the Travelling Lioness Trophy Lioness Jeanne Morgan talks about the start of Lioness in the UK Golders Green Lionesses win the Scrapbook Trophy Auld Lang Syne Banquet & Ball Dancing Having had a lovely weekend, on Sunday morning time for everyone to say their goodbyes and make a leisurely departure, until Conference 2018, at Waltham Abbey. Words: Pictures: MD105 Lioness Conference, February 2017 Over the last 25 years I have been involved in most of the Lioness Conferences in one way and another and I have always looked forward to them. This year was no exception and I was delighted that it turned out to be such an excellent weekend. Everyone that I spoke to seemed happy with the hotel and I have to say that all the staff were very efficient at all times to ensure that the we all enjoyed Conference and the weekend was one we will always remember. I will always remember it for another reason now of course and I would like to thank Lioness Chairman Angela along with all Lionesses in the Multiple District for the beautiful engraved vase, the Certificate of Appreciation and the lovely bouquet of roses that were presented to me to celebrate my 40 years as a Lioness. I can honestly say that I have really enjoyed most of the time that I have worked at both Club, District and Multiple District level and I just hope that I can be involved for many more years to come. Thank you all for your friendship over the past 40 years and again for the lovely gifts this weekend. Lioness Jeanne Morgan MJF, Past Multiple District 105 Lioness Chairman, President Pontefract Lioness Club 3
A possible MD 105 Lionesses Project. What do you think? 4
More information on the Freedom Kit Bags 5
held their first meeting of the year when plans were discussed for future social and fund raising events. The Lionesses, with support from the generous public, are able to help several charities; arrangements have been made for the presentation of a cheque to Nicky's Way. Other charities to benefit from donations are the Chemo Bus and Blood Bikes. The Lioness were delighted to have collected over 700.00 from the sale of their knitted Christmas Novelties. A grateful thanks to our knitters and those who support our charities. Deal and District Lioness Club held a recent quiz to raise money for a local young lad Theo Knott who needs to raise 50,000 for an operation and rehabilitation to enable him to walk and live pain free. President Pearl Barton presented Theo's parents Naomi Morton and Steven Knott with a cheque for 600. Lioness Club London Golders Green Lioness President Sandhya Gandecha proud to win the Scrapbook competition at the Multiple District Convention in February held at Marriot Hotel, Huntingdon Lionesses helping at DG's Senior Citizens Celebrations Party LP Sandhya and LS Raksha at DG's Convention Meeting held at Holiday Inn, Elstree Lioness monthly service at Neem Tree, Old People Home (especially Residents with Dementia) singing bhajans. President JoAnn with Witham Lions Chris and Sue marched in the Remembrance Day Procession and placed wreaths at the Witham War Memorial during the Remembrance service in November. We also had Lioness Sylvia helping with Road closures and Lioness Jenny taking photos. There was a great turnout from the people of Witham and we were very proud to take part. A reminder to Clubs to send news of any significant Birthdays and Celebrations, as well as the Sad News, to the Lioness MD Almoner. Chairman Angela, the Advisory Body and all Lionesses like to know. 6
At our February meeting held at the Brook Hotel we were pleased to welcome Lions District Governor Nigel Folkard and his wife Marion, for our usual meal and the business meeting that followed. Lion Nigel then presented President Val with his banner and pin. Also at this meeting, Lioness President Val presented cheques to two Explorers who will be undertaking the trip of a lifetime to Africa later this year. We hope that they will visit us afterwards to tell us about their experiences. Seven Lionesses and four Lions attended the February Conference at Huntingdon, and as usual enjoyed meeting up with other Lionesses as well as getting up to date with more official matters. We also enjoyed the Outdoor Girl speaker who brought back teenage memories for many of us. The following weekend we were happy to host the District meeting; it was good to see many familiar faces again so soon! We are now looking forward to the Lions Convention, our Quiz Night and no doubt some more lovely food! MD Chairman Angel s Chosen Charity AdmiralNurses Helping families face dementia Several members of Saffron Walden Lioness Club spent an enjoyable social evening out when they went to the local cinema Saffron Screen to see the highly acclaimed film La La Land. Having enjoyed the film several members then continued the evening out by going to one of the local restaurants Ask for a meal and a glass of wine. On Saturday 26th November 2016, the brought their newly refurbished stall (thank you Tony Briault) to the Witham Dickensian Christmas Market. We had a very successful day selling our baskets, teddies and Christmas Crafts, making over 280 for the Lioness President s charities. To top it all off, we won first prize for the best stall of the day. We received the shield at the awards presentation evening in Witham Town Hall presented by the Mayor in January 2017. A very successful day all round! For full information about the Lioness Clubs in the British Isles please refer to www.lionessclub.org 7
Miranda McCoy from St Nicholas Hospice Care was invited to. Past President Dorothy presented her with a cheque for 1000 in support of Nicky s Way. Nicky s Way is open to any child or young person who has been bereaved and is a resident of West Suffolk or Thetford. Support and lasting friendships can develop between those who attend. Those wishing to know more about Nicky s Way may call the Hospice on 01284 766133. Lioness President Christine Wall of and Alice Polwarth from Fun With Chill With, for children diagnosed or undiagnosed traits of ASC and all other related conditions, and their parents/carers. They meet in a local soft play centre in Northallerton on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday every month for a chance for parents and carers to meet other families. Alice received a cheque for 1327.80p. Alice also accepted a cheque for 1000.00 on behalf of ART (Autism Research Trust), supporting groundbreaking research. (ARC) Autism Research Centre, into the causes of interventions for people with autism spectrum conditions. We received a letter of thanks from their Professor, with an apology for a representative not being available to attend. This was a special donations evening at Rivendale where we hold our meetings, from the Tree of Hope Dedication Day which was held at the Forum Northallerton in December. Just before Christmas, a close relative of Jenny Pleasance, lost her premature baby. To thank the hospital for their support and kindness at this sad time she put out a plea for blankets, hats etc., for the unit. In true Lioness style she picked up her knitting needles for the first time in years. Two of her fellow Lioness's kindly donated blankets (Sheila) and wool (Rosie) and Jenny knitted blankets and hats for the premature baby unit. A nice parcel of 14 blankets and 8 hats was promptly sent and well received as per the following personal message: Her niece s positive attitude at such a sad time is like a breath of fresh air. Thank you fellow Lionesses for your support in this. I wonder if your club could use any presentation cheques in the next few months? I have a lot in stock and unfortunately they will have to be destroyed in July so if you are making any donations you could have any amount FREE - the only charge would be P and P. It would be a shame to waste them and you may get some publicity if you are handing over a large cheque. Please let me know! In 2017 the MD105 Lionesses reach their 40th Anniversary. It is hoped that the Lionesses across the UK can hold a on 3rd June 2017 to celebrate this occasion. Let s make it a BIG ONE! The Lioness Logo has been slightly modified to use the new Lions logo. Copies, in various formats, are available on the MD Lioness Website. The next edition of the Lioness MD 105 Newsletter is scheduled to be published in May 2017. The deadline for copy will be the 25th April 2017. Lion John Fox (MD 105 Lioness Newsletter Editor) JOHN.FOXDLS@GMAIL.COM 8