Teesdale and District Lions Club
MEMBERS are already planning their autumn and Christmas season of community and social activities, but took time out at their recent meeting to reflect on a hectic summer.
Summer officially started with the glorious weather at Whit weekend, when club members were in full attendance to support Barnard Castle Meet weekend. The club’s soft toy tombola along with the traditional garden games, including a brand new coconut shy, went down a treat with the youngsters, while parents relaxed to the live music and carnival atmosphere.
The following weekend the club transported a selection of outdoor games to Mickleton in support of their carnival, again in brilliant weather.
July saw the start of the club’s 40th year of service to the community, and at the 39th annual charter celebration dinner at Headlam Hall, Bob Garton handed over the chain of office to incoming president Barbara Foster, in front of club members, family and friends.
At the end of July, the club rallied in support of local group TODY’s, providing a series of team challenges, which the youngsters relished. The evening was concluded by a lovely barbeque, courtesy of our good friend Kimberley Clark and entertainment in the form of some rousing live Irish music.
All plans for a full attendance at Cotherstone gala were scuppered by a nasty weather forecast and the decision to hold a reduced event indoors. The Lions cut their losses with a few games, but like the organising committee, rued the missed opportunities, having done all the work.
During the year, the club donated to the new palliative care room established at the King’s Court Care Home in Barnard Castle.
We were very humbled to be invited to the official opening ceremony for this wonderful facility. We were even more surprised when asked to do the honours, which were carried out by Lion Barbara in what was her first official engagement.
In August, the club was contacted by visiting Lion Alastair Clewlow, of Kangaroo Island Lions Club, South Australia, who met representatives of our club over drinks to discuss the similarities and big differences in doing what we do in our completely different communities.
Both parties left with ideas for taking their respective clubs forward.
During the autumn school term, both Green Lane and Montalbo Primary Schools signed up to participate in the National Lions Clubs ROAR competition – a series of interactive lessons aimed at teaching year six pupils the skills of teamwork, decision making, creativity and marketing – which dovetails into the normal curriculum. The programme is run throughout term and a judging panel will identify the best effort to be put forward to a national finals day in December.
Sunday, October 15, has been earmarked for the next senior citizens bingo afternoon with refreshments and entertainment. This will be held in the GSK Club lounge from 4pm to 6pm and is by ticket admission only (call 0345 8335962).
Another date for the diary is Sunday, December 10, when, once again the club will be organising their annual senior citizens Christmas music concert, featuring Barnard Castle band. Ticket details will be issued separately.
A member of the world’s biggest community service organisation, Lions Clubs International, the local club meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the GSK Club, Barnard Castle, where we hold all of our big events.
If you would like to get more involved in your local community, please come along and see more of what we do.
Bob Garton
