January 2012 Business Meeting
The main event of the meeting at the Old Cock Inn on the 12thJanuary was the formal welcoming and inauguration of 2 new members, John Hargreaves and Glen Neville, to the Club. President Phil Wallis also welcomed guests Zone Chairman Lion Terry White and Stuart Potter from Guys Footprint who gave a brief introduction to the purpose and objectives of this new Worcester based organisation.
The President reported on a number of activities over the very busy past month and expressed his thanks to those involved. In particular the huge effort that went into the Christmas Grotto and the Father Christmas Sleigh, was much welcomed and appreciated by local people throughout the town, and most generously supported. The Sleigh was a great demonstration of the cooperation with many local organisations including the Rotary, Cricket and Rugby Clubs, the St John’s Ambulance Organisation and the Spa housing Association. Of special note and with much gratitude was the donation by a Droitwich resident of the whole of his winter fuel allowance to the Grotto Collection!
It was agreed that substantial donations would be made to the 2 main designated charities, Acorns and Snoezelen, and the balance to be retained to help other, smaller, deserving causes over the next few months
The Book Sale on a cold Jan 7thgot off to a slow start but turned out successfully in the end raising over £300. Other fund raising activities were discussed including the usual Giant Easter Egg Raffles in the local pubs and, following the popularity of the event last May, another Race Night at the British legion on 9thMarch mainly in aid of Kingfields Day Centre in Droitwich
In the last month the Club has assisted several individuals with gifts of household equipment and furniture and made monetary donations to other people and organisations with particular financial difficulties/needs. Further requests for help need further consideration and will be taken forward to the next meeting. A large collection of spectacles will be forwarded to the Hikaduwa Lions Club in Sri Lanka following a request for help.
The next social event is the Burns Night Supper and Quiz at Gaudet Luce and nearly 100 members and guests will be there. The Zone Chairman expressed his appreciation that many Lions from neighbouring Clubs were attending this event as he was somewhat concerned with the support for inter club events. Future social events include a Games Night in February and a trip to the National Memorial Arboretum in March. It is also hoped to support the Old Cock Inn’s 300thanniversary celebrations in June.
The meeting concluded with the usual toast to Lions International.
December Business Meeting
There was almost 100% turnout as President Phil Wallis took the chair for the meeting at the Old Cock Inn on the 8thDecember. He reported on a number of events over the past month including his attendance and the laying of the Lions Wreath at the Remembrance Service on 13thNov.
Book Sales in November and December were very successful particularly the extended one in December when St Andrews Church was also running a Craft Fair. The continuing success and popularity of the Book Sales is a great help to Lions fund raising
The other main events at this time of the year are the Christmas Grotto in the old Carpet shop and the Sleigh Runs and the progress of these was discussed. The Grotto opened with a very busy day on Nov 26thand will run through each weekend and the last few days up to and including Christmas Eve. Attendance on Sundays has been poor and whether or not there is a demand for this, needs to be considered. The Sleigh runs which are being run jointly with the Rotary Club and with help from the Cricket and Rugby Clubs and Spa Housing Association, which will continue over the next 2 weeks, have been warmly welcomed by Droitwich residents and the Lions are grateful for the generosity of people in these tough times. Future fund raising items such as a possible repeat "Race Night" and the usual "Easter Egg in Pubs" raffles were also discussed and agreed.
On Welfare issues the Club voted to assist several organisations and individuals who had particular financial difficulties/needs and decided that further discussions should take place with the Guy's Footprint organisation who have just set up in Worcester, to discuss their role. They will be invited to the next meeting. The Club has also been in discussion with Himbleton School regarding the continuing education of 2 A level students in Hikadu, Sri Lanka and agreed that funds would be made available. The funding of the purchase of tickets for the Kingfield clients to go to the Swan Theatre pantomime dress rehearsal was not fully taken up and the Club feels there may be scope to involve other Groups in future.
On the social front the visit to see "Oh what a night" at the Swan Theatre in November was quite emotional although very enjoyable as was the talk and meal at David's Garden Centre in November. The Christmas Dinner at Droitwich Golf Club last Friday was attended by 47 Lions and guests and, as usual, a very sociable occasion.
The meeting concluded with the President's seasonal wishes and the usual toast to Lions International.