We have a new home! The new Lions Den is the Windermere Hotel – and what impressive facilities they are. We are trialing this new location for our monthly business meeting for the next three months. The Windermere Hotel has had a recent makeover and our initial impressions are fantastic. We have an oval table with free pens and paper – it feels very professional – im going to call it the oval office!
The December Business Meeting started today with a short presentation from the inspirational Adele Bayman from the 5th Windermere Girl Guides Senior Section – plus her parents Heather & Gary. Heather was nominated by the Windermere & Ambleside Lions Club for the Lions Young Ambassadors Award – for her charitable efforts to successfully raise £1,000 for her to go to Romania and volunteer with the Smile Foundaton, which is a charititable foundation that was started in 1990 – to help children, poor and the homeless in Romania. Adele represented the Windermere & Ambleside Lions Club’s Young Ambassador Award, and was successful in winning the District. As a result Adele is being progressed to the Multi-District Young Ambassador competition in Dudley – we wish Adele the best of luck in her endeavors, and for representing the Windermere & Ambleside Lions Club and for raising awareness for the Windermere Girl Guides. We are sure that she has a promising future ahead of her and look forward to hearing about her progress!
Treasurers Report – Noel was about to begin the Welfare report- but Scrooge (Mr Moneypenny) insisted he went first with his treasurers report – so we weren’t pledging donations we couldn’t afford. Lots of money going out for this month’s Jingle Jell Jog – santa suits, medals, artwork etc – and thankfully lots of money coming from Jingle Bell Jog entries etc. Money going out for Tombola purchases for this month’s stall at the Windermere Christmas Celebration. Money going out for the wreath for Remembrance Sunday.
Welfare – Social Club 55 wrote to the Club this month thanking us for our generous donation earlier this year – the donation has so far subsidised one lady from Troutbeck to attend the social club once a week for the last couple of months. Also they have enjoyed many outings on Fridays including Lakeland Motor Museum, Lakes Aquarium, Swan hotel, Newby Bridge for lunch, Hayes garden center and Coniston garden centre. There are usually 8 people including 2 staff on Fridays because they have two people who need wheelchairs. “We could not have achieved these outings without your kind donation and you are welcome to visit us on Mondays or Fridays to meet us all.” Also – we received a Thank You card from Adele – thanking for our support with her fundraising efforts (see above). We also received a thank you letter for a donation to Alices Escapes earlier this year.
Leos – Lions Philip and Chris met the Headmaster from Lakes School to discuss the Leos Club this week – he seemed supportive so watch this space for further updates!
Twinning – nothing to report….I’m afraid.
Fundraising – December is a big month for the W&A Lions Club – with both the Windermere Christmas Celebration on 9th and 10th December – and our annual Jingle Bell Jog event on Sunday 17th December.
The Lions Club has a stall at the Windermere Christmas Celebration running a Tombola – and we have received a significant number of very generous donations from local businesses for us to use as prizes – so we are looking forward to another great festive fundraising weekend! The Jingle Bell Jog is doing really well – a good number of entries so far and some fantastic sponsors onboard. We have the Bryce Street Strummer Ukulele Band joining us to entertain everyone, Emma Robinson from the Low Wood providing a festive warm up for everyone, and Mountain Massage Company coming down to provide massages to ease your aches and pains!
Membership – we are looking for new members!
Zone – We got to talking about the zone – but apparently we talked about the zone during Fundraising…so we are not talking about the zone now…i missed the zone discussion…but i do remember voting in favour of something to do with the zone….i really should pay more attention.
Activities – It was decided that we would fund the travel and accommodations cost for Adele and her parents to attend the multi-district Young Ambassador event. Spirit of Christmas – we have just under 200 elderly people coming from the local community to our annual ‘Spirit of Christmas’ event at the Low Wood on 14th December this year. Lots of talk of logistics etc at the meeting tonight – and our Lion Christoph is doing a fantastic job of orgsanising this event once again – thanks Christoph!
Social – Our Club Christmas lunch is scheduled for Sunday 14th January at the Lamplighter in Windermere!
Lion Tamer – Keith brought the banner with him but left it in his bag – as he didn’t want to ruin these lovely walls in the Oval Office.
AOB – Decision to keep the next meeting on 2nd Jan (instead of moving this back one week).
Philip brought the meeting to a close
Next Business Meeting is on 2nd January.