NEWS FLASH 2023

A huge 'Thank You' from East Grinstead Lions to the EG Runners for their kind donation of £1400 following their 10K Andy Ripley Memorial Race held in October 2022. EG Runners support three charities; EG Lions, Jigsaw SE and Prostate Cancer UK in memory of local sportsman and Rugby Union International Andy Ripley OBE who died of prostate cancer in 2010. The donation will be used to help fund EG Lions next Prostate Screening event in November 2023

Pictured are John Begely presenting the cheque to EG Lions Club past President, Brian Richens.

New Member

On Monday 9^th January, East Grinstead Lions Club President, Ian Forbes, was delighted to welcome and enrol new member Karen Cairns to the Club.    Pictured with Ian are Karen and her sponsor Lion Brian Richens.

Advent Calendar

East Grinstead Lions Club Vice-President, Sharan Billings, had the pleasure of presenting the lucky top prize winners of the EG Lions Prize Advent calendar (Alison and Dr Fathi Tarada) with their Gravetye Manor meal for two with wine voucher. Also present to congratulate the lucky couple was Gravetye Manor General Manager, Paul Skinner. Alison and Fathi also kindly gave a generous cheque donation on behalf of Mosen Engineering Consultants towards the work of the Lions, which was very gratefully received.

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Senior Citizens Party

On Saturday 21^st January a lovely time was had by all at the Lions Senior Citizens' Party.

After being served by the Guides and welcomed by the Mayor Adam Peacock and Lions President Ian Forbes, guests had an afternoon of entertainment at Sackville Schooll. Entertainment was provided by Choir & Ko, harpist Margaret Watson, EG Ukuleles and compered by MC Lion Nick Gibson. Following the entertainment, guests were served tea and cake. During tea, they were serenaded on the by multi-instrumentalist Carol Baker. The afternoon was funded by the sale of Lions Xmas Raffle tickets so a big thank you to anyone who purchased tickets.

EG Lions Club President Ian Forbes was delighted to be able to help EG Boots Opticians find a new home for some of pieces optical equipment which they had been wanting to donate to a third world country.   Through contacting Chichester Lions (who sort and distribute unwanted spectacles that Lions collect), Ian was directed to Chibozo Community Trust, based Maidstone, who desperately need optical equipment for their Medical Centre in Zambia    The equipment was collected from Boots Opticians by Mr Choongo from the Trust who will also oversee the shipping of the optical equipment (shipping cost paid by Chichester Lions) to the Trust’s Medical Centre in Samooya, Zambia.    Pictured with EG Lions President Ian Forbes are Boots Opticians Assistant Manager Alper Yigit and Mr Choongo from the Chibozu Community Trust.    If you have any unwanted spectacles, there are Lions collecting bins at the following places: Boots, Vision Express, Alexanders Opticians, Arthur Hayes, Moatfield and Ship Street Surgeries and Second Life in Forest Row.

It was lovely to chat to so many people at the Volunteers Fair held at The Crown on Saturday, 4^th February. If you were unable to get to this event but would like to know more about volunteering opportunities available with the Lions, please email membership@eastgrinsteadlions.org.uk or call 0345 833 9506.

March 11th sees a repeat of last years FREE BOOKs for KIDS so come on down (UP) to the 2nd Floor of Martells Store and get your children involved.

 Vintage Bus Day

On Sunday 23^rd April, it was great to see so many people braving the weather at the Vintage Bus Running Day in the High Street. The EG Lions were pleased to be able to support the event by selling their refreshments and helping to marshal those eager to take a free ride on one of the lovely, old buses. Many people had travelled long distances to attend this popular Town event so well done to the organisers and volunteers for running such an enjoyable day.

It was fantastic to see so many people at the Lions May Fair on Bank Holiday Monday. The High Street was packed almost all day with people enjoying the varied stalls and entertainment and luckily the late afternoon rain shower didn't last long!

The EG Lions Club would like to thank the Town Council, volunteers, stallholders, entertainers and the public for making the Fair such a successful community event. All monies raised will be used to help local charities and those in need in the local community.

The East Grinstead Lions were pleased to support the Town Council and local community at the Coronation event on Saturday, 6th May, with very welcome hot drinks, cakes and sausage rolls. Town Mayor, Adam Peacock, led the golden coach and long procession onto King George's field at the beginning of the proceedings and despite the incessant rain, many people were well prepared with umbrellas and gazebos and braved the weather to stay and watch the event on the big screen. A memorable day indeed!

East Grinstead Lions Club (along with Being Neighbourly) have been one of the outgoing Mayor, Adam Peacock's, chosen charities during his mayoral year. At the Town Council’s recent AGM, Adam presented EG Lions President, Ian Forbes, with a generous cheque for £7,050 which will be used to further the Lions charity work in the community. Ian thanked Adam for the tremendous support he has given to the Lions and the local community over the past year.

It was an historic day for the East Grinstead Lions Club on Sunday as Sharan Billings was made the FIRST lady President of the Club since the Club began in 1968!        At one time women were unable to join the Lions organization but Sharan became the trailblazer for women joining the EG Club and now over a quarter of its members are female!       Sharan is well known to many around the Town as she has been the Club's Community lead for many years working with local charities, families and individuals who have requested help from the Lions.       All those present at the handover lunch wished Sharan a wonderful year as President and gave thanks to outgoing President, Ian Forbes, for all his hard work over the past year.     On a light-hearted note, Club member Brendan Joyce was awarded the Rob Holwell Cup for the person who says’ twenty words when one will do’ and for his inexhaustible hard work during the year.

Another huge crowd and another great afternoon of music at the East Court 'Latin Vibes' event.

The EG Lions were kept busy selling their refreshments and new Lions President, Sharan Billings, (sporting her Lions International Logo tattoo!) had quite a battle with the wind making candy floss!

A big thank you to Second Life in Forest Row who have been busy collecting glasses on behalf of the EG Lions Club.

Unwanted or damaged glasses and hearing aids are also collected by the Lions at Boots, Alexander Opticians, Arthur Hayes, Vision Express and at Moatfield and Ship Street surgeries. The collected glasses are then taken to the Chichester Lions Club. Here they are sorted in preparation for onward transmission to Medico France in Le Harve. Medico France has the necessary equipment to clean and grade the spectacles ready for use in eye camps in Africa, India and Eastern Europe.

PSA Testing

Bookings open on 1st September and testing will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY

Saturday 11th November 2023.   sponsored by East Grinstead & District Lions Club and.   Administered by PCaSO will once again take place at Meridian Hall.

On Monday 4^th September, the Town Mayor, Frazer Visser, formally opened the new Lions Book Shop.

The Book Shop is situated on the Ground Floor of Martell's and has hundreds of books from which to choose. Also at the opening was the EG Lions President, Sharan Billings, Mr and Mrs Martell and number of Lions Club members. The EG Lions would again like to thank the Martell family for providing a new home for the Book Shop and for their continued support.

On Sunday 17^th September, East Grinstead & District Lions Club President, Sharan Billings, was delighted to attend the ‘Town Mayor’s Civic Service held at St Swithun’s church. The service led by The Reverend Andrew Hawken, acknowledged and thanked those who serve in the local community.     Also attending the service was Deputy Mayor, Steve Ody, members of the Town Council, MP Mims Davies, past Mayors Danny Favor, Phillip Briggs, Rex Whittaker and John Dabell, the High Sherriff of West Sussex, the Lord Lieutenant of Sussex and representatives from other local groups including Scouts, Guides, St John Ambulance, Rotary, Sea Scouts, Mothers’ Union and Street Pastors to name just a few. The closing message taken from The Pledge, summed up for all civic members attending why they are so passionate to help the community: ‘We pledge ourselves to serve all mankind in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering’.  The Lions motto is ‘We Serve’ so these final words couldn’t have been more appropriate.

East Grinstead Lions Club have supported the work of Riding for the Disabled (RDA) based at Little Brook Equestrian, Newchapel for over 20 years; either as volunteers or with periodic financial assistance. The charity provides riding sessions for children from local primary schools with learning or physical difficulties and is entirely self-funded.

Recently, the EG Lions were delighted to link up with Caterham, Oxted and Godstone (COG’s) Lions to help fund the 1pm afternoon session for a full academic year for children from St Stephen’s School, South Godstone. Each Club donated £1008. Potentially this will help 24 children over the year. The benefits of these sessions are immense and include: helping to improve muscle tone, posture and motor skills. It also helps to develop self-confidence, improve communication, build relationships and learn new skills.

At the Big Reveal, EG Lions were delighted to thank Tony Hobbs from Southern Sheeting for the company's generous Star Prize donation of £500 for the Lions 2023 Advent Calendar. Club President, Sharan Billings had a busy evening selling cards and calendars both at the Big Reveal and Jubilee Centre Christmas Market!  

Welcome to new member June Sinclair.     East Grinstead Lions Club President, Sharan Billings, was delighted to welcome and enrol new member June Sinclair to the Club at their December Business Meeting. June found out about the EG Lions when visiting their Book Shop and has already been volunteering at various events.       Pictured with Sharan and June is Steve Carley, Lions 1st Vice District Governor who attended the EG Lions monthly meeting.

At the EG Lions Club Business Meeting on Monday 4^th December, Lion Mike Barty was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award by Lions 1st Vice District Governor, Steve Carley.          The prestigious award is in recognition of his ‘dedicated humanitarian services’ to the community. Mike has been President of the EG Lions Club three times, Zone and Region Chairman and is currently the Club's Treasurer. Certificates were also awarded to Lions Keith Pratt and Paul Johnson for 30 years’ service, Roger Mead for 25 years and President Sharan Billings for her 10 years of service.