Issue 20 Multiple District 105 ioness Newsletter Multiple District Lioness Chairman 2017 to 2019 - Jeannette Morgan Welcome to our October newsletter. The nights are drawing in and the weather is turning cold but here in Pontefract we are keeping busy as we prepare for our Annual Lantern Festival on 20th October. Workshops are being held three or four three times a week between now and the festival and we are looking forward to welcoming Lionesses and Lions from around the Multiple District as well as our Local Councillors and MP, Yvette Cooper. We have even offered to make a Glitterball Lantern if her husband Ed Balls is joining her! In between times, I have been trying to keep up with Multiple District business including a call with our Co-ordinator Lion/Lioness Angela, Council Chairman Peter Burnett, MD Secretary Phil Robinson and Lions Linda Picton and Tom Berry. The purpose of the call was to ensure that we were aware of the directive which has been issued by Lions Clubs International advising that the Join Together Programme has been extended to June 2021. The Join Together Programme is there to encourage Lionesses to become active Lion members, however it has been stressed to us that this does not mean there is any pressure on existing Clubs to close down, particularly as the International Jeannette Chairs the Advisory Body Meeting Board Policy does still list Lioness Clubs as a type of Club within the organisation. International Director Lion Geoff Leeder has been tasked to ask for further clarification on the recognition for Lionesses at the October board meeting and in order to support this I will be collating a list of the donations made, the hours of service carried out and the Lioness participation in the Centennial and other Lions projects. I would therefore ask all Clubs to ensure they are submitting their reports on a regular basis so that we have the most up to date information available. From the reports I have received, it is pleasing to see that several Clubs have an increase in membership numbers, so although we may not be able to form new Lioness Clubs our existing Clubs are continuing to grow. Let s hope we can keep up this good work! The Lionesses of India are holding their Annual Conference on 6th January and have once again asked for an update on the activities of MD105 Lioness Clubs and our friends in Canada are in the very early stages of looking into the possibility of forming an International Association of Lioness Clubs, so watch this space! Closer to home my Chairman s Charity fund for Tiny Tickers is still continuing to grow and currently stands at 3034.10 including 1528 which was presented at Conference 2018. Hopefully this fund will still continue to grow and we will be making another presentation at Conference 2019. My travels around the Multiple District continue and I am honoured to have been invited to Thetford (Breckland), Paddock Wood and Chelmsford Anniversary Celebrations, where I look forward to seeing many friends old and new.! Chairman s Charity 1
Multiple District Lioness Clubs Coordinator s Message Greetings everyone, I know from reading your reports that all Clubs have been very busy through the Summer season and I hope that you have all enjoyed the lovely sunshine and success with all your events. Well done to you all for the results you have achieved and the amount of charities you have helped. The amount of hours of service carried out by Clubs is amazing, please do not forget to record these hours on your monthly activity reports or if you send copies of your minutes then please include a note within the minutes of these hours. Your District and Multiple District Officers need to know so that when they send in their reports they can make sure that they promote the amazing amount of service you give on a regular monthly basis and the invaluable contribution you make to your communities and the Organisation. If your Club is one of those that applied for a Centennial Award or Certificates, I am pleased to say that the Centennial Awards are now at Headquarters in Birmingham and the Certificates are being sent in batches of fifty to our Patron, HRH Sophie Wessex, who has expressed the wish to sign each one personally so these will take a little longer to become available. All those clubs concerned should have received an email from Headquarters asking them to let Headquarters know a delivery address and suitable dates when the items could be delivered in order someone would be there to sign for the items. Hopefully the relevant clubs have all received and answered the email. The Conference Host Committee are working very hard to give us another great week-end and a warm Yorkshire welcome to The Holiday Inn in Doncaster in February. The Conference being our AGM and the highlight of our Lioness Calendar, it would nice to see as many Lionesses there as possible. This is the opportunity for us all to come together, take part in the business sessions helping to plan the future of Lionesses, enjoy all the social events and meet up with friends old and new. The booking forms are out, please don t delay, send them back today! The bookings officer is ready and waiting to receive them. It would be wonderful to see representation from all of the Clubs. Currently I am arranging to visit more Clubs and attend more events, diary dates are filling up, if you have any particular event you would like me to attend please let me know in order that I can include it in the diary dates. If I can be of help or assistance in any way please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to meeting up and sharing more fun and fellowship with you all over the coming months Lion Lioness Angela Howard Multiple District Lioness Clubs Coordinator CONFERENCE NEWSFLASH MD 105 Lioness Conference in Doncaster 15th to 17th February 2019 My fellow Lionesses - we are looking forward to an entertaining conference with a program of interesting, informative and interactive sessions on the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning which will complement the customary business formalities. So to help us finalise these if you have any feedback or suggestions for activities or presentations which you would like us to consider please let me know on or before 31/10/18. Alongside the hotel s colour scheme we have decided to have a theme of black and white for the Saturday night dinner and dance. The Dress code is formal and we would encourage you to wear something in keeping with the theme (thought this is not essential). Booking forms have been distributes so please help the Host committee by returning your completed forms as soon as possible.... and don t forget to sell your raffle tickets there are lots of great prizes to be won! Oh behalf of the 2019 Conference Host Committee, many thanks and we look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible Nicola Claxton Conference Coordinator More details about Conference can be found on the next couple of pages - the first Conference Newsletter for the 31st MD 105 Lioness Conference as previously circulated. Ed For full information about the Lioness Clubs in the British Isles please refer to the website www.lionessclub.org 2
31 st MD 105 Lioness Clubs Annual Conference Newsletter The Venue The Holiday Inn Doncaster A1(M), Jct 36 High Road, Warmsworth Doncaster DN4 9UX Located in the quiet village of Warmsworth, three miles from Doncaster town centre, the hotel is close to the A1 (M) and is only a 10 minute drive from Doncaster Railway Station. https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/doncaster/dsaww/hoteldetail The 102 modern, air-conditioned rooms have everything you need from coffeemakers and satellite TV to 24-hour room service. All have sleek en-suite bathrooms plus there are a limited number of rooms with separate walk-in showers and three fully accessible rooms. Facilities at the hotel include a fully equipped leisure club with heated indoor pool, spa, sauna, steam room and fitness centre. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel and there is ample free car parking on site. The hotel is dog friendly. The dedicated Conference Centre comprising the main meeting room, breakout rooms and its own private foyer and bar area is the ideal setting for our 31 st Annual Conference The theme for the weekend is Fun (Friendship, Understanding, Needs) and Lionesses know how to have Fun. At the request of those who have attended conference over the past couple of years we have decided to re-introduce some light entertainment on Friday night, so you can arrive at your own leisure and then gather in the Manor suite for a two course fork buffet followed by entertainment from the Yorkshire born and bred Ukelele Henry - an all-round entertainer with an exuberant personality, who plays his own renditions of songs from generations of the popular music genre, ranging from Vera Lynne to Lady Gaga... but don t worry he promises not to keep you too late, so you ll have plenty of time to get a good night s sleep. Saturday starts with Breakfast from 7:00am, registration opens at 8:00am and the 1st business session commences at 09:00am prompt. Chairman Jeannette is working closely with the Advisory Body to ensure the agenda not only covers the standard AGM business but also includes time for discussion and debate around the latest hot topics concerning Lionesses. Our final speaker of the day will tell us why she did it for kicks - Former Tiller Girl Pam Harcourt, will give us an insight into the highs and lows of her life from joining the troupe at age 16 to her last performance in 2008, live on The Paul O Grady TV show. Then in keeping with tradition there will be a formal dinner and dance on Saturday night with live music from the MASTERS - of MELLOW - Yorkshire's ultimate 'Music to Chill By' Band with a smooth vocal harmony, exceptional keyboard and acoustic guitar. Business will continue on Sunday morning with a selection of activities for you to get involved in before you pack-up, say your goodbye s and head for home in the afternoon. Hosted by Pontefract Lioness Club and Castleford & Pontefract District Lions Club 3
Who Should Attend Conference? As many Lionesses as possible! With only 12 Clubs in the Multiple District it would be fantastic to see every Club represented at conference, even if it is only for the Saturday business sessions. Chairman Jeannette regularly reminds us of the need for more members to get involved, so what better way to do this than come along to Conference where you will meet Lionesses from all over the country and have the chance to find out how other Clubs operate. You never know you may even get some fresh ideas for your own Club! Over the past two years we have worked closely with our fellow Lions to ensure we are compliant with legislation and they have given us great support. Chairman of Council Lion Peter Burnett has already confirmed his attendance at Conference so lets make sure there are lots of Lionesses to give him a warm welcome and show him just how much work Lionesses do. The Grand Raffle Even if you can t attend Conference don t forget to buy your raffle tickets for the Grand Draw which will take place at the Saturday Night dinner and Dance. Prizes include: 32 Samsung Full HD Smart TV Limited Edition Meccano Set - Big Boys toys 50 High ~Street Vouchers 50... and we are still collecting more, so if you or your Club have anything to donate please let Lioness Jeanne know as soon as possible. If any Clubs prefer to make a cash donation, the host committee will purchase prizes on your behalf. Although no specific trips have been arranged for partners there is lots for them to do if they don t want to take part in the business day. Local attractions include the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Ashworth Barracks Living History Museum and the Magna Science Adventure Centre. The Lakeside Village Shopping Centre and Doncaster Dome Leisure Centre are only 10 minutes by car from the hotel. Multiple District Competitions - As we have moved into the new Lionistic year you have got plenty of time to complete your scrapbook for 2017/18 ready to enter it into the competition at Conference, and if you haven t got time to do a scrapbook then why not look for a photo or two to enter into the Caption Competition? For the Travelling Lioness Competition you still have 4 months to go so come on girls lets get those visits in and collect more points. The Competition rules can be found on the Lioness website or alternatively, for further information, contact the Competitions Officer Lioness Gill Williams: tel: 01892 833977 email: gillwill44@gmail.com Where did you get that badge? We knew you were going to ask that! The old part of the hotel shown in our opening photograph of the hotel was the residence of Anthony St Leger, an army officer and politician who devised the St.Leger horse race. Originally called the Rockingham Stakes, it was renamed in his honour. The inaugural running was held at Cantley Common on 24 September 1776, it is claimed to be the world s oldest classic horse race, and still runs today. How Do I Make a Booking? Booking forms have been emailed to all Club Presidents/Secretaries District and Multiple District Officers, plus they will be available on-line at www.lionessclubs.co.uk so all you need to do is complete a form and return it to the Booking Officer, Lioness Jeannette Morgan (Pontefract Lioness Club) with your deposit or full payment in order to confirm your place. Cheques should be made payable to the MD 105 Lioness Clubs Administration Account. If you have not received a copy of the booking form or cannot find a package to suit your requirements, please contact Lioness Jeannette who will be happy to help you. Email: jinty71@btinternet.com Tel: 07711 933457..... and Finally! All that is left for us to say is: Please don t leave Conference to everyone else. Come along and join your fellow Lionesses for a fun weekend at the 2019 Multiple District 105 Lioness Clubs Conference. Your support is needed now more than ever before. Hope to see you all there! Your Host Committee Conference 2019
The next edition of the Lioness MD 105 Newsletter is scheduled to be published in November 2018. The deadline for copy is 20th. The Lioness MD 105 Newsletter will be published on a monthly basis. (Lioness Newsletter MD105 Editor) newsletter@lionessclubs.org or JOHN.FOXDLS@gmail.com On the 13th August Paddock Wood Lions presented Laureen Robinson with Citizen of the Year Award. Welfare Chairman, Joan Read nominated her. For 34 year Laureen had organised a monthly meet that people who wished to change their hearing aid batteries for free could attend. This was instead of having to go to the Audiology department at the hospital. She had her loyal band of helpers but now, on the first Friday of every month, there is a Lioness and volunteer in attendance and Joan organises getting the batteries from the hospital. Laureen received a cheque for 250 for her nominated charity, Kent s Deaf Children Society, from the Mayor. welcomed Angela Howard (Lioness District Chairman of East Anglia) to their meeting, when she updated the Lionesses on the changing policies within the organization. Angela thanked the club for their hard work within the community and for the successful fundraising, despite being a small club. She wishes us well for future events. We recently attended a Zone Meeting held at Swaffham Community Centre where the main topic of discussion was the imminent amalgamation of our District (EA) with District E. We look forward to joining up with our fellow Lionesses and Lions in the Lincolnshire area. On Bank Holiday Sunday we helped with selling programmes at the Vehicle Spectacular on the Recreation ground. We also ran our own Tombola and Bric-a-brac stall where we made a good amount for our Charitable Fund, despite the poor weather and having to pack up early in the afternoon. The Crown Rest Home held a party for residents and friends, and some of us went as Lioness Rosemary s guests, and had a lovely time. At our September meeting we presented our cheque for 425 to the Nook Appeal following our recent fund-raising Afternoon Tea and Flower Demonstration. Anne and Nicola accompanied families to the Circus at Gt. Yarmouth Hippodrome on Lions Fun Day, and on 8th September we all enjoyed a social evening out on the Jazz Train, travelling from Dereham to Wymondham and back, entertained all the way by the swinging Dixie Mix Jazz band. enjoyed the sunshine at Writtle Fete - what can better in the summer than Morris Dancers, music, a flower show and lots of stalls on the village green. We had a lovely time and raised 150 for the charity Kids Inspire. We invited Katharine Loveday from Kids Inspire to come to the Club to tell us about the charity. They help children who have had suffered from abuse, mental illness and other traumatic events in their lives. They provide counselling, art therapy sessions, lunch clubs during the holidays and every year give out Christmas gifts to all the children they help. They provide services and advice for schools and are a welcome addition to overstretched mental health services. We were very pleased to be able to provide a cheque for 200. 5
Louise from Buttercups and Daisies kindly demonstrated Autumn Themed Flower Arrangements at the Fundraising Event. She generously donated her arrangements for raffle prizes. Jolleys also gave generously of pet supplies for prizes. Light refreshments were served and the total raised was in excess of 350. All money raised will go towards the Lioness Charity Medical Detection Dogs. Lioness Marilyn s Grandson, Robert, took part in this year s Great North Run along with his girlfriend Georgie. sponsored him with 100. He ran on behalf of Age Concern and raised in excess of 650. He also was only 18,000 places behind Mo Farrah! There s always next year Robert. (Georgie and Robert are in the white vests.) FELIXSTOWE LIONESS CLUB President Jennie attended the recent Zone meeting and also was a Marshall at the Ipswich Memory Walk. The club has donated 50 to the Zone swimming gala. This is taking place in February but unfortunately it clashes with the MD conference which we hope to attend. Several members enjoyed a BBQ at Lion John Gooch s home. Lynn held an afternoon tea party in her lovely garden - it was so hot that the sandwiches toasted and the cream cakes melted so we had to adjourn indoors!! 5 members will be attending Thetford s 30th Anniversary lunch next month. Our next outing is lunch at the Shipwreck Pub on 24th September at Shotley (between the river Orwell and the river Stour). Forty minutes by road but we are braving a trip across the river on the Felixstowe foot ferry and hoping it is not too rough!! District Chairman Lioness Angela Howard was welcomed to our September meeting and she updated us on Lioness business and details of the Lioness Conference. Our next fund raising event will be a Quiz on 2nd November. Everyone welcome - 8 per head including a Ploughman s Platter. In September gathered together for an evening of fun and fellowship by enjoying a talk from their local Volunteer Bureau about the Time Bank Project. This project is not about raising money but giving ones time. People can take part in this project either as individual or as a group. The more people that enrol: the bigger the bank of volunteers to call on. This is a very worthwhile project which can benefit many people within the local community, the emphasis being on giving your time to help others rather than giving money. The Lionesses finished off the evening by enjoying a lovely meal. A reminder to Clubs to send news of any significant Birthdays and Celebrations, as well as Sad News, to the Lioness MD Almoner Jeanne. 6
The Advisory Body is delighted to announce that Amanda Cale of Dursley Lioness Club has agreed (volunteered) to take on the role of Policy Co-ordinator and in the coming weeks will be looking at a Privacy Policy for Lionesses as well as getting herself up to speed on what other Lions Policies are in place. In order to ensure the longevity of MD 105 Lionesses and our place in the community, helping those less fortunate than ourselves, we must have a facility for promoting our work. The position of Public Relations Officer is for a person who can help the Multiple District Lionesses to move forward, increase their strength and ensure that those in need are aware of the right people to contact for help. Please consider volunteering! Significant Dates for the Lions Family 2018/19 Date Club District Event Sun 7 Paddock Wood 105SE Formation Anniversary Lunch 14 Thetford (Breckland) 105EA 30th Anniversary Lunch Sat 20 Pontefract 105C Lantern Festival Fri - Sat 26-27 Paddock Wood 105SE Autumn Fayre Sat 27 Sleaford 105E An Evening with Elvis Fri 2 November 2018 Chelmsford 105EA Lioness & Lions Charter Anniversary Sat 10 November 2018 105EA & 105E Joint District Meeting at Swaffham Fri 16 November 2018 Chelmsford 105EA Children in Need Collection Mon 26 November 2018 Thetford (Breckland) 105EA Ladies Quiz & Soup Evening Fri 30 November 2018 Downham Market 105EA Coffee Morning Sun 27 January 2019 Lions HQ 105 Advisory Body Meeting Fri - Sun 15 to 17 February 2019 Holiday Inn, Doncaster MD 105 Lioness Conference Sat 23 February 2019 105EA District Meeting at Felixstowe Sun 31 March 2019 Lions HQ 105 Advisory Body Meeting Fri 7 June 2019 Sleaford 105E Charity Golf Day Sat 8 June 2019 105EA District Meeting at Chelmsford Sun 23 June 2019 Lions HQ 105 Advisory Body Meeting 30 June 2019 Pontefract 105C 42nd Certification Anniversary The next edition of the Lioness MD 105 Newsletter is scheduled to be published in November 2018. The deadline for copy will be the 20th. Lion John Fox (MD 105 Lioness Newsletter Editor) newsletter@lionessclubs.org 7