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.
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
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
Visit to Air Ambulance at Langwathby
Friday 15th April
Members and their wives paid a visit to the Great North Air Ambulance depot at Langwathby and were privileged to see it coming in to land after a sortie in the Lake District.
The crew explained that they were only allowed to operate in daylight hours and then showed members the inside of the helicopter.
We then adjourned to Edenhall Hotel where we finished the evening with an excellent buffet.
Cheque Presentation to Two Flood Protection Groups
Wednesday 13th April
Eamont Bridge and Pooley Bridge Flood Protection Groups met at Eamont Bridge Village Hall to receive cheques for £800 each from the Lions Club to use as they saw fit in each area. The money was the residue of donations given by members of the public, local MP Rory Stewart and other Lions Clubs following the floods in November 2009. The Lions Club also drew on the Lions District Flood fund to help with a larger project.
The photo shows Lion President Ian Rae and Lion George McCrone handing over the cheques to John Beer and Chris Battersby the chairmen of the respective groups.
The Dream is over for another Year
Saturday afternoon at Frenchfield saw Castletown's winning run come to an end at the hands of a team from Cheadle.
It was a hard fought game with plenty of goals and even extra time. Castletown opened up a two goal lead but Cheadle fought back to lead 3-2. However a goal by Castletown evened the scores up at 3 each at half time. The second half saw Cheadle going in front with Castletown equalising in the final few minutes.
Extra time saw Cheadle open up another two goal lead but Castletown fought back and made the score 6-5 in the final minutes but could not find another goal to take the match to penalties.
This was an enjoyable game and Castletown can take great pride from their performances over the last few months. Our ladies provided an excellent buffet for the teams and supporters.
Castletown Under 14 Football Team
Win the Lions 105BN District Final
The team and supporters travelled by coach to Lancaster University Sports Ground on Saturday to play the District Final against a team from Radcliffe and Whitfield.
The game was hard fought and exciting and following a goalless first half Castletown scored 3 second half goals by captain Harry Finney(2) and Callum Evans to win convincingly in the end.
The next game will be against a team from Cheadle in Cheshire on Saturday 8th April in Penrith. Come along and support our team. The venue and time have not yet been agreed.
Penrith Lions Sponsor
Currock House Amateur Boxing Club
President Ian Rae and members of the Lions Club visited Currock House Amateur Boxing Club in Carlisle and presented them with a cheque for £790 to purchase equipment and to sponsor their tops. The photograph shows President Ian presenting the cheque to David Bell and some of the club members showing off their new equipment.
More photographs in the Welfare 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.
District Convention March 2011
Castle Green Hotel, Kendal
President Ian Rae together with Taz Taylor, Bernard Wood, Ian Edgar and their wives attended an excellent District Convention over the week end of 4th-6th March. The week end began with an evening of Witchcraft and Wizardry when everyone got into the spirit of the evening and dressed up in some fabulous outfits.
The Business session on Saturday morning was opened by an impressive Flag Ceremony and the business of the day was concluded by early afternoon when were were addressed by last years Young Ambassador of the 21st Century Alice Whitehead who gave an outstanding address.
The keynote speaker was Lion Paul Whittaker who gave an enthralling speech on Music and the Deaf.
The evening concluded with the District Governors Banquet and Ball.
On Sunday morning we were entertained by Annie Mawson and her Sunbeams Music Group. It was marvellous to see the enthusiasm of the young people.
More photographs can be seen in the Social Gallery
Lions Sight Savers
Penrith Lions Club donated £400 to a Sight Savers project in North West India.
The Drishti project takes a holistic approach to eye care. Comprehensive eye care services aim to improve eye health in three ways.
- Treatment of eye diseases and conditions
- Promotion of eye health to prevent disease spreading
- Support of people who are incurably blind to help them integrate into their communities
36 Annual Charter Anniversary
25th February
North Lakes Hotel & Spa
Members and guests enjoyed an excellent meal and good fellowship at the hotel.
We were made to feel welcome by members of staff when we entered the hotel and following pre function drinks we made our way to the function room to be greeted at the door by two magnificent bronze lions.
Following a very well presented meal and the formal speeches John Westgarth and Geof Silburn were presented with 30 and 25 year service chevrons by DG David Winsland.
The disco struck up and the more energetic of us danced while the others met old friends and spent time catching up with each others news.
Photo courtesy Fred Wilson. There is a selection of photographs in the social gallery
Boxing Club to get New Equipment - Wednesday 12th January
Some members of Penrith Lions Club travelled to Carlisle to present a cheque for £790 to Currock House Amateur Bxing Club for the purchase of much needed equipment. The photograph shows the cheque presentation.
Adam Dickinson from Cumbria Youth Alliance approached the Lions to see whether they could help the club in any way. As there is no Lions club in Carlisle at present Lions Peter Goodwin and George McCrone met with David Bell the senior coach and secretary and Gordon Ullrich another coach and were impressed with their enthuisiasm and commitment to helping some of the young people of Currock.
The Lions enjoyed watching the training sessions and will hopefully guide the club to find further funding within the Carlisle area to help grow the club.
More pictures in the welfare gallery