Lions Club of Penrith
Welcome to the
Lions Club of Penrith Website
Penrith is a historic market town in the Eden valley between the Pennines in the east and the Lake District hills in the west. Here the A66 trans pennine route crosses the M6 as it reaches north towards Scotland. It is a meeting place and Penrith Lions Club welcomes new members and visitors alike
It was here in 1975 that a group of local men formed the Lions Club of Penrith. From these small beginnings our club has grown to its present 34 members serving the people of Eden. We have fun and fellowship raising funds and distributing them both in Eden and further afield.
Have a look at our website to get a flavour of the things we do. You may even be inspired to come and join us.
May Day Carnival
Monday 7th May
Although the weather forecast was atrocious we got away with it! The forecast rain did not arrive until the middle of the Grand Parade. By this time the crowds had arrived to watch the Parade with nine floats, three bands and numerous classic cars, tractors and motor cycles.
Entertainment was arranged from 10.30am until 4.00pm and the crowds enjoyed this and the various charity stalls. The youngsters flocked to Taylors Funfair at its new home at Sandgate Bus Station.
The photograph shows May Queen Amalia Colosi, a student at Ullswater Community College, and her attendants before the start of the parade.
More photographs will be added in due course.
Guide Hut Modernisation
President Bill, Brian Gass and Ian Edgar with many others attended the Official Opening of the Guide Hut renovation on Saturday 28th April.
The renovation is a credit to the Guides and their Leaders and it now has a very stylish interior which should last for many years. This photograph shows the cutting of the ribbon.
more photographs in the welfare gallery
Induction of New Member
Ken Johnstone was inducted into Penrith Lions Club on Monday 16th April at North Lakes Hotel and Spa.
President Bill Miller also took the opportunity to give Peter Goodwin his 35 year pin and Joe Grinbergs his 10 year pin. Not to be outdone Bernard Wood received a sponsorship certificate for introducing Ken as a member! Other photographs in Social gallery
President Bill Miller visits Greystoke School
Penrith Lions Club has donated a sum of money to help pay for cookery lessons for some of the children. President Bill visted Greystoke village hall on Thursday 22nd March to see how the youngsters are being taught how to cook at an after school event.
A number of ladies volunteer to run cookery classes and pass on their skills to the youngsters. They were busy making pasche eggs and chocolate crispie nests with eggs in for Easter. See some other photographs in the welfare gallery to get some idea of how they enjoy themselves!
Penrith win Alec and Clare Toft Youth Award Tropy
President Bill was presented with the District Trophy for Youth work at the recent District Convention at Lancaster.
The photograph shows District Governor Ian Clare presenting the trophy to President Bill at the business meeting at North Lakes hotel on Monday 19th March
Two Penrith Members Honoured
District Governor Ian Clare presented Melvin Jones Fellowships to long standing Penrith members Peter Goodwin and Brian Gass at the clubs business meeting at North Lakes Hotel & Spa on Monday evening.
President Bill Miller is also in the photograph.
37th Charter Anniversary
North Lakes Hotel & Spa
Friday 24th February
An excellent evening was enjoyed by members and their guests. The meal was very good and the staff served us very efficiently. The speeches were followed by dancing to 'Dancing In The Dark' disco.
The photograph shows the top table guests with President Bill Miller.
More photographs at the social gallery
District Governor Attends Coffee Morning
We had a flying visit from District Governor Ian Clare and Ann Dobson at our regular coffee morning at the George Hotel on Wednesday 22nd February. District Governor Ian presents his banner to President Bill.
Some of our retired members get together for a social chat where we often put the world to rights! This was no exception. The latest MP3 player that we are thinking of using for the Talking Newspaper can be seen on the table.
More photos on the social gallery
Music Festival Donates £2000
Monday 20th February
Penrith Lions Club funds received a welcome boost when Julie Cotton from Kendal Calling Music Festival presented a cheque for £2000 to President Bill Miller for the Lions to use in their good works. Also in the photograph is Peter Goodwin our contact with Kendal Calling.
Donation to Pride of Cumbria
Air Ambulance
Monday 6th February
President Bill Miller presents a cheque for £927.70 to Jan Hawkins the fundraiser for Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance at the Conservative Club.
The money was raised from the public at the Lions Christmas pub collection in December
Photograph courtesy of Fred Wilson
Lions Ladies Like the Lounge!
Presidents wife Pam and other Lions ladies enjoyed a relaxing lunch and a good old natter at the Lounge Hotel in Penrith on Wednesday 25th January.
more photographs in the social gallery
Senior Citizens Concert
Penrith Methodist Church
120 senior citizens gathered together on Wednesday 18th January to attend a concert organised by the Lions Club.
They were well entertained in the first half of the concert by Myrna Tennant, a young soprano from Carlisle, Kids Alive, a group of children from the Methodist church and Sarah Gait, a cellist from Hesket Newmarket.
During the interval the audience enjoyed a relaxing cup of tea and shortbread and had a chance chat to old friends.
Penrith Town Band played a number of well known tunes in the second half and ended with an encore of John Peel. Thanks to all of the entertainers who provided a most enjoyable concert.
More photographs in the welfare gallery
Cheque presentation to Annie Mawson
Monday 15th January
President Bill Miller presents a cheque for £700 to Annie Mawson from the Sunbeams Music Trust.
Annie and her colleagues provide music therapy for adults and children suffering from mental and physical disabilities and they have helped over 18,000 people at 65 project venues in Cumbria.
The money was half of the money raised during the Lions Santa Sleigh collection in Penrith before Christmas.
Photograph courtesy Fred Wilson
Cockermouth Charter Anniversary
Hundith Hill, Sunday 15th January
President Bill and Pam and Ian and Anne Edgar attended the Charter Anniversary Lunch at Hundith Hill. An excellent meal was followed by the speeches and we enjoyed various quizes and renewed acquaintances with old friends. All in all a most enjoyable afternoon.
more photographs in social gallery
Presidents Open House - 28th December
Bill and Pam invited Lions and their partners round for drinks and nibbles. This was an excellent social event. Thanks Pam and Bill for being such good hosts and providing such a great spread.
more photographs on the social gallery
Santa Visits Kids in Penrith
Over a period of two weeks in December members of Penrith Lions Club transported Santa round the various estates in Penrith where he spoke to the children and asked what they wanted for Christmas.
There were numerous requests but iphones and ipads were the most requested! The photo shows Santa visiting Pategill shop where he spoke to the kids and danced with one of the mothers. He really enjoyed his visit before venturing round the rest of Pategill.
There are some more photographs on the Welfare gallery
Christmas Card Delivery
Lions members collected, sorted and delivered more than 8800 Christmas cards in the Penrith area this Christmas. The cards were collected from Style Line, Penrith Co-op, Cowpers Chemists and Pategill shop and were then taken to our sorting office in the Conservative club where they were sorted into areas for members to deliver in the week before Christmas.
We received the usual number of cards with no addresses, wrong addresses and cards for people outwith Penrith. A number of cards were therefore undeliverable. We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and we look forward to serving the community in the New Year.
more photographs in the activities gallery
Lions Christmas Party - Sat 17th December
Cafe Oswald
Members and guests enjoyed an excellent party with good food and fellowship the order of the day. The social committee lead by Geof Silburn kept us entertained with a number of quizzes and silly party games that everyone enjoyed. The photograph shows some Lions cross dressing as reindeer!
More photographs in the social gallery
Black Eye Friday Collection
Friday 16th December
Nine members took to the streets and their cars to collect donations for the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance. Seven of us visited the various public houses in Penrith shaking our collecting tins and of course having a drink in each pub. Who said that being a Lion wasn't fun! Two members took the their car and visited a number of establishments in the surrounding villages.
Thanks to the generosity of the people of Penrith and district we reaised the magnificent sum of £929.
Young Ambassador of 21st Century at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School 14th December
Quegs Grammar School pupil Emily Rowlands presents her £100 cheque for winning the local competition to Mara Krukowski of Young Cumbria. Also in the photograph are Lion Malcolm Temple, President Bill Miller and Lion Peter Goodwin.
Working in a charity shop, helping out at a nursery, volunteering to support young carers, assisting in a care home - all these volunteering activities are part of every day life for Emily who is this years Penrith Lions Young Ambassador.
Emily was selected by Penrith Lions Club to represent them at the North West District competition in Lancashire. Emily gave an excellent account of herself even though she was competing against youngsters up to two years older that her.
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Takes the Plaudits 14th December
Three pupils from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith were the winners of the Lions Club Peace Poster competition this year. The winning entry was that produced by Kitty Leigh in the centre of the photograph. It was submitted to the Lions District competition. Second was Emily Dyer on the left and third was Erin Drinkald. The pupils all received vouchers to spend at a local store. Also in the photograph are Lion Malcolm Temple, President Bill Miller and Lion Peter Goodwin.
The theme of the competition this year was 'Children Know Peace'
Lions Steward Santa Games and Penrith Lights Switch On Sunday 27th November
The Lions Club erected their stage and provided marshalling for the Hospice at Home Santa games and the Penrith Lights switch on.
In the afternoon Hospice at Home organised a number of team games for Santas. The weather was cold and bright for the event and although the number of spectators was quite low to begin with the crowds had increased substantially by the time the Lantern Parade began.
Penrith Town band lead the parade through Middlegate and into Devonshire street where a number of Christmas carols were sung before the lights were switched on by 'Kirk' from Coronation street.
more photographs in activities gallery
Children in Need Street Collection - 19th November
Lions were out in force on Saturday collecting at various venues across Penrith for Children in Need.
We raised £1407 for the charity and we also received a donation of £17 from two young ladies from Beacon Square who baked and sold cupcakes for Children in Need. Well Done girls!
More photographs in activities gallery
£1000 Cheque from Stoneybeck Inn Thursday 17th November
President Bill received a cheque for £1000 from Tom Dent, manager of Stoneybeck Inn, at a social function. The cheque was in appreciation of the help that the Lions had given in organising the Fireworks Display on 6th November.
Cheque Presentation from Stoneybeck Inn Thursday 17th November
Members and wives who had helped organise the Fireworks Display on 6th November at Stoneybeck were treated to a buffet in recognition of their efforts. During the evening Tom Dent the manager at Stoneybeck presented President Bill with a cheque for £1000.
District Football Competition - Sunday 13th November
Castletown Under 14 football team travelled with Malcolm Temple and Peter Goodwin to play against Ramsbottom under 14 team courtesy of Peel Lions Club.
The team played well and the result was a 2-2 draw at fulltime. However Ramsbottom scored a further goal in extra time and progressed into the next round. The boys enjoyed an excellent meal provided by Peel Lions.
More photographs in the welfare gallery
Remembrance Day Parade - Sunday 13th November
President Bill carried the Lions wreath and Brian, Bernard, Roy and Ian joined in the parade to St. Andrews church for the service.
Fireworks Display - Sunday 6th November
Penrith Lions Club held its annual fireworks display in conjunction with Stoneybeck Inn.
Foggy conditions during the day were not a good omen but by the time the display started visibility had improved and the display was watched by an audience of 400. They were treated to a veritable feast of pyrotechnics that lasted 40 minutes.
More photographs in the activities gallery
20 Year Chevron Presentation
President Bill presented Lion Harold with his 20 year service chevron and a two member pin at the business meeting at the North Lakes Hotel and Spa on Monday 17th October
Keswick Charter Saturday 15 October
President Bill and three members and their wives enjoyed an excellent evening of fun and fellowship at Keswick Charter at Lodore Falls Hotel.
more photographs in the social gallery
Car Treasure Hunt - Sunday 9th October
Six teams set off from Edenhall hotel on a damp Sunday afternoon to try to find clues on a route devised by Ian and Sadie Proud. We zig zagged through a number of minor roads to the east of Penrith trying to decide what information Ian wanted us to put on the form! We even had to negotiate a semi fallen tree across the road near Salkeld Dykes that Ian assured us was not there when he last looked at the route.
We all arrived back at Edenhall hotel and enjoyed an excellent afternoon tea while Ian and Sadie sorted out the results.
more photos in social gallery
Lions Clubs Logo in Castle Park
A floral display of Lions Club International's logo took pride of place in Castle Park this summer. The local Parks Department set out the display next to the bowling green. The photograph was taken by President Bill Miller before the logo was removed in the autumn.
Lions to the Rescue!
Lions members have come to the rescue of Brunswick School, Penrith by replacing outdoor storage facliities. A team of Lions designed and built four storage sheds to replace wind damaged plastic ones. Six members designed and built the shed over the summer period before the end of the school summer holidays.
Head teacher Sharon Sanderson said the Lions came to our aid. We did not have the funds to replace the old sheds. The Lions are our heroes! With their skill and talent they have created four fabulous storage sheds for us. Two of the sheds double as play houses and have delighted our younger pupils. The children now have easy access to footballs, skipping ropes, hoops and much more. This means playtime at Brunswick Infants are great fun for all.
The picture shows President Bill Miller and some fellow Lions with the youngsters making use of the shed.
more photos in the welfare gallery
Wild West Themed Barbeque
Saturday 20th August
We all gathered at Past President Ian and Lynn's house and the theme was 'The Wild West' There was a wide range of outfits ranging from weird to wacky.
We had two fellow Lions from Kingsbridge Lions Club as our guests. Lion Simon Henderson was half way through a walk from John O'Groats to Lands End and they parked up in Penrith for the night and enjoyed our hospitality.
Photo shows President Bill, Simon and Roger exchanging banners before they retired to their caravan to recuperate before setting off at 8.00am.
More photos in the social gallery
New Member Joins Penrith Lions
Monday 15th August
Lion Chris Currie was welcomed into Penrith Lions Club at a ceremony conducted by President Bill Miller on Monday evening. Chris has been associated with the club for several months getting to know us. We hope that Chris will enjoy his time with the Lions.
If anyone in the Penrith area has an interest in the work of the Lions and would like some further information on becoming a member please contact our secretary.
The picture shows Chris, his sponsor Joe Grinbergs and President Bill
25 Year Chevron
Geoff Silburn was also presented with his 25 year chevron.
The photo shows President Bill congratulating Geoff
Lions Ladies go Garra Rufa Crazy!
Monday 1st August
While the men were hard at work at a Lions committee meeting the ladies were pampering themselves at Styleline poking their feet in a tankful of fish and enjoying pedicures, manicures and indulging themselves with nibbles and drinks!
Ruth and Helen Gardiner looked after them so well that there is the possibilty of another evening of pampering.
Photos on social gallery
Cheque Presentaion to Golf Club Captains
Monday 18th July
Former captain Mike Stamper and present captain Norman Wilson were presented with cheques for £300 each for their respective charities. The money was the proceeds of the raffle at the Lions Golf Day in June.
In the photo Joe Grinbergs, Mike Stamper, President Bill Miller and Norman Wilson
Cheque presentation to Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Monday 18th July
President Bill presented a cheque for £200 to John Brown and Paul Gurney from the charity. The group was established in November last year to provide a self help network of support for people who have lost loved ones through suicide.
The money will be used to enable the group to establish a library of books to assist people who have lost people they care about to adjust to their loss.
In the photo are President Bill, John Brown and Lion George McCrone
Change-over Barbecue at Bills
Saturday 25th June
The Change-over this year was a barbecue at incoming President Bill Miller's house where we had an excellent evening. More pictures in the social gallery.
Charity Golf Day - Penrith Golf Club
Sunday 5th June
£3500 was raised for the Lions Welfare account at the above event.
Weather conditions in the morning were ideal with very light winds and the early competitors took full advantage of the good conditions with a number of excellent scores returned. Conditions deterioreated slightly in the afternoon with some drizzle and cool winds.
The picture shows the winners Jon Stafford and Martin Wilson receiving the trophy from President Ian Rae and David Fleming. The winners had an excellent score of 51 points. more photos in the activities gallery
May Day Gala - Monday 2nd May
Following a very dry fortnight we surely couldn't expect a dry day for May Day! However what a day it turned out to be - wall to wall sunshine and magnificent crowds.
We had all of the stalls set up by 10.00am and were ready for the crowds. The Giants of Eden storytelling by 19 schools in the Eden Valley in the grounds of St Andrews church at 11.00am started it all off. This brought large crowds to see the children telling their ghoullish stories was followed by non stop entertainment in Devonshire street.
The highlight of the day was the crowning of the May Queen, Ella Gurney transported by George Bowman with his magnificent team of horses and the Grand Parade of decorated floats, classic cars, vintage tractors, Honda goldwing motorbikes and of course the Giants.
Everyone said that this was the best May Day ever. That is something to live up to for another year!
Photo courtesy Mike Angelo at edenonline.net - more photos in the Actiities gallery
Message in a Bottle
Penrith Lions Club recently relaunched the Lions Club Message in a Bottle Scheme.
The Lions Message in a Bottle is a simple idea that encourages people to keep their basic personal and medical details in a common place where they can easily be found in an emergency.
Basic medical information is kept in a bottle in your fridge and if the Emergency Services are called to your home they would find the Message in a Bottle sticker on the inside of your door and the outside of your fridge and so have quick access to your medical details.
Bottles are supplied free of charge by Penrith Lions Club and will be available at local doctors surgeries, pharmacies.