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.
Burns Supper
A very successful Burns Supper was held at the George Hotel on Saturday 23rd January. The haggis was piped in by Lyndsay Mowbray and it was addressed by George McCrone. Following an excellent meal Ian Edgar proposed the Immortal Memory and George McCrone proposed a toast to 'The Lassies'. George, much to the amusement of the audience, then recited Holy Willies Prayer dressed in a nightshirt!
A very enjoyable evening was concluded when the Arthur Atkinson Duo played music for dancing.
Pub Collection
On Black Eye Friday eleven members took to the streets and their cars to visit hostelries in Penrith and surrounding villages for their annual charity collection. This year funds raised were split between the 'Pride of Cumbria' Air Ambulance and local families that had been affected by the November floods. A total of £720 was raised on the evening.
Christmas Card Delivery
During the month of December Lions collected, sorted and delivered over 9500 Christmas cards in Penrith. Collection points were Style-line, Cowpers Chemist and Penrith Co-op and the cards were sorted in a room at the Conservative Club. During the week prior to Christmas members delivered the cards in Penrith Town.
A number of cards could not be delivered because they did not have an address and a number were addressed wrongly.
Santa's Sleigh
As usual this year Penrith Lions Club transported Santa round the estates in Penrith on his sleigh. Unfortunately there was rather a lot of snow on Sunday evening and Santa had to cancel his trip round Scaws and Pategill on Monday and Tuesday evenings due to the adverse weather conditions.
Santa is extremely sorry to have missed the children but he will make every effort to bring their presents by Christmas.
Santa Dash and Penrith Lights Switch on
Penrith Lions Club was in evidence at this event on Sunday 29th November. We erected our stage in atrocious weather conditions on the morning of the event. Luckily the weather improved for the Santa Dash organised by Hospice at Home. Lions marshalled the route and then helped marshall the spectacular parade of lanterns culminating in the Switch On.
Young Ambassador of 21st Century
Penrith Lions Clubs Young Ambassador for this year is Lauren Johnstone. Lauren visited Garstang Hotel and Country Club on Sunday 22nd November to participate in the District Final of the competition. Lauren was competing against five other girls for the District title.
Unfortunately she did not win the title but she thoroughly enjoyed her day and had a fantastic time with the other competitors. Lauren received a Certificate of Appreciation from District Governor Harry Hawksworth. The girls all combined to sing a song to entertain those at the event.
Next autumn we will be looking for another entrant for the competition so if you know of anyone who is involved in community service and who might represent our club please contact our secretary Bill Miller
Children in Need Saturday 21st November
On a wet and windy day members of the club took to the streets of Penrith to collect for Children in Need. Due to the amazing generosity of the people of Penrith £1880 was collected and will be sent to the charity.
Floods Hit Eamont Bridge
On Friday 20th November severe flooding in Eamont Bridge meant a hurried evacuation for a number of families. Some were found temporary bed and breakfast accomodation in Penrith. President Ian Edgar and Lion Malcolm Temple met some of the displaced people and found out that they needed toiletries and nightclothes as they had to leave their houses in a hurry. Vera Temple and Anne Edgar, their wives, were dispatched to purchase the required items and these were given to the families.
In the evening the families were invited by Luca and Antonio from Gianni's Pizzeria for a meal where they told us of the problems they were likely to face in the future.
Remembrance Day Parade
President Ian Edgar and 5 members of the club attended the Remembrance Day parade on Sunday afternoon to St Andrews church. President Ian Edgar laid a wreath on behalf of members of the club.
Picture courtesy of Fred Wilson
Firework Display
We held a Firework Display in conjunction with Stoneybeck Inn on Sunday 1st November. Despite exceptionally heavy rain on the Sunday morning we decided that the display go ahead. 350 people attended the event and despite some rain and wind we managed to put on a good display.
Senior Citizens Outing
On our latest venture the Lions took 90 senior citizens for a drive followed by afternoon tea at the Inn on The Lake, Glenridding. See more picture in the welfare gallery
Social Event with Keswick Lions
On Saturday 24th August members and their partners joined with our fellow members of Keswick Lions Club to celebrate their 21st birthday.
We enjoyed a sail on Derwentwater in flat calm conditions and then had a barbeque at a local cafe where we socialised for the rest of the evening. Following the cutting of the birthday cake Penrith President Ian Edgar presented a framed embroidered picture of the Lions logo to mark the occasion.
