News Archive 2011
These are our new items from 2011.
Woodbridge News (December 2011)
At the time of writing, buying groceries for the Christmas parcels
project is well underway, along with the associated fundraising
collections at the Turban Centre, Tesco Martlesham Heath and around the
streets of Woodbridge & Melton. More details in next month’s newsletter.
Even at a busy time, it is interesting to note just how varied the
activities of the Lions can be. Nationally there is a long standing
partnership with TACADE, a charity which produces educational resources.
We heard a short account from an Advisory Teacher of how the resource
packs are used in schools the benefits to the children concerned.
Our thanks to everyone who has supported us over the course of 2011,
whether with donations, voluntary assistance or just taking part in our
events. May we wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
Woodbridge News (November 2011)
Our 29th Charter Anniversary with its Halloween theme was a
thoroughly enjoyable evening, rounded off by some varied entertainment.
Thanks to all who attended and special thanks and congratulations to
Margot, Carol and Liz who put in a lot of effort to make the evening
such a success.
We now focus our efforts on the Christmas parcels, delivering anything
up to 200 parcels of seasonal groceries to people for whom Christmas may
other wise be just another day. We shall be collecting for funds to
support this rewarding project at the Turban Centre, Tesco Martlesham
Heath and with Santa as he does his preliminary rounds of Woodbridge. We
don’t lose sight of the social side, a speakers evening in mid-November
and our Club’s Christmas dinner help to keep a balance and give us the
opportunity to exchange anecdotes of the things that have happened in a
busy time of year.
Our President and Vice-President recently attended a meeting with the
neighbouring Lions Clubs; after we had reviewed what our Club had done
over the past few months, another Lion commented that we always seemed
to be having fun – which is really how it feels to us, whether raising
funds, helping people or socially, it is enjoyable. Happily that sense
of reward is leading an encouraging number of people to consider joining
us, giving us the resources to maintain, and we hope, expand our
activities.
Martlesham Heath 10Km Road Race & 2.5 Km Fun Run
Record temperatures and a record entry for the Martlesham Heath 10k and Fun Run, which was held on Sunday 2nd October. The event seems to grow each year and we were delighted to see so many taking part. The warm weather added to the occasion as families and spectators made the most of the sunshine. Our thanks go to Martlesham Heath Householders limited for permission to use The Green, to event sponsors Charity Fundraising Ltd. and Palmer Fencing plus the Woodbridge Shufflers and pupils of Kesgrave High School and all the friends and family members who lent much appreciated support to marshalling and manning the water stations. Graham Parker, Managing Director of Charity Fundraising Ltd commented, “I was enormously impressed by this event. It was tremendously well organised and I couldn’t believe the number of marshals and officials involved. Congratulations to everyone who took part, Charity Fundraising Ltd. are delighted to be sponsors … and the homemade cakes were as delicious as ever.” Our thanks to everyone who took part: runners, spectators, officials and the many helpers – your contributions made for a successful and enjoyable event. All proceeds from the event will be returned to the community through the Woodbridge Lions Charitable Trust.
We now look forward to celebrating the Club’s 29th anniversary and then, hard to believe with the temperatures of early October, we start to think of Christmas and our Parcels appeal; watch out for us at our collection days in the Turban Centre and Tesco Martlesham Heath and we may be accompanying a certain red suited, white bearded gentleman on his pre-delivery tour of Woodbridge.The results are now available here.
Woodbridge News (September 2011)
Hard to believe that Autumn is upon us. October brings the annual Martlesham Heath 10K & Fun Run; an event which has grown over the years to become a significant fixture in the Suffolk Athletics calendar and a major fundraiser for the Lions. Our thanks to the numerous sponsors and supporting organisations without whom the event simply couldn’t take place. October also brings our Charter Night celebrations; this year commemorating 29 years since the Woodbridge & District Club received its Charter as a member of the International Federation of Lions Clubs.
Although Lions Clubs worldwide seek to help their local community, as an international movement we can make a real difference in the face of seemingly overwhelming challenges such as natural disasters and preventable blindness in developing countries.. Wing-Kun Tam, the 95th International President of the Lions Federation and its first from China put it “We realize that by joining with like-minded people we can accomplish great things” – his project is to see a million trees planted worldwide “We want to wrap the earth in a canopy of greenery, from Argentina to Zambia …” What does this mean to our community? Well, as a Club we want to support the project and would welcome enquiries from any parish in our area which can identify an opportunity for a modest tree planting scheme. Contact us on 0845 8332820.Martlesham Heath 10km and 2.5km Runs
The 2011 Martlesham Heath 10K and Fun Run organised by the Lions Club
of Woodbridge & District, will be held on Sunday 2nd October. The fast
flat course is ideal for those seeking a PB whilst the Fun Run gives
novices and younger runners the chance to experience the atmosphere of a
major event. Spectators will appreciate the four-lap format which
affords plenty of opportunity to see how the race unfolds, whilst the
Pavilion will be open for refreshments and the renowned homemade cakes.
An on-line entry service is available at
here or you can download a copy of the entry form
here or call 0845
833 2820.
Woodbridge News (August 2011)
Our thoughts now turn to the Martlesham Heath 10K and Fun Run, to be
held on Sunday 2nd October; races start from The Green at 11am, entries
on the day close at 1015.
The fast flat course is ideal for those seeking a PB whilst the Fun Run
gives novices and younger runners the chance to experience the
atmosphere of a major event. Spectators will appreciate the four-lap
format which affords plenty of opportunity to see how the race unfolds,
whilst the Pavilion will be open for refreshments and the renowned
homemade cakes. We believe this year marks the 21st anniversary of the
annual races as a Lions’ event; to mark the occasion we will be
introducing a schools team category in the Fun Run.
An on-line entry service is available at
here or you can download a copy of the entry form
here or call 0845
833 2820
Schools or charities wishing to use the event for sponsored fundraising
are invited to contact our Race Director, Chris Woods at
woods01394@tiscali.co.uk
Woodbridge News (July 2011)
The Woodbridge Regatta proved a hugely successful day; we were delighted to work alongside the Regatta Committee, both organizations benefited from the fine weather and good attendance. Our signature attraction, the Whooppee Dipper was certainly in demand with queues of children throughout the afternoon. Balancing our fundraising with social events, we had a guided tour of the new East Anglian Children’s Hospice; great to see such fantastic facilities brought about by the fundraising efforts of the whole community; quite emotional too, when we thought of the families who would be using the services of the Hospice. A couple of social events are now promised before we begin the build up to our Autumn fundraising event, the Martlesham Heath 10k & Fun Run on Sunday 2nd October. A bit early to think of October? Not a bit; the Christmas puddings are already on order for our annual Christmas parcels project!
The 1st July sees the handover to the Club’s officers for 2011-12.
Marking the end of his year in office, outgoing President Peter Button
and his wife Sue hosted an informal supper for the Club members and
their partners. Reviewing the past year, Peter commented that we had
maintained our tradition, for a small club, of being busy and closely
involved with our community. Incoming President Margot Wobey, who was
previously a member of the Lions Club of Bridport, thanked everyone
connected with the Club for making her feel so welcome. Looking forward,
Margot hopes her year in office will see us build further on links to
towns and villages that make up our District, beyond Woodbridge itself.
The annual swimming gala for people with disabilities, supported by
Lions Clubs in South Suffolk, continues to be a rewarding and enjoyable
event. We are always pleased to welcome further participating clubs for
anyone with disabilities. Anyone who would like further details, please
contact us on 0845 8332820. The costs of hosting the event continue to
rise year on year and we would welcome support from any local businesses
willing to offer a modest sponsorship to ensure that we can continue to
hold this worthwhile event; if interested, please contact the number
given.
Elmhurst Extravaganza
Even if the wind was blustery, the sun shone and there was no rain on
this year’s Elmhurst Extravaganza. A good crowd enjoyed an afternoon of
events and side shows ranging from Punch and Judy and a coconut shy to a
jewellery-making workshop, donkey rides to bouncy castles. The green and
leafy setting of Elmhurst Park at the heart of Woodbridge came alive
with colourful stands, displays and bunting. Our thanks to everyone who
helped both before an on the day and to everyone who came along. As with
all Lions’ public events, all proceeds will be returned to community and
charitable causes – nothing is deducted for the administration of the
Club, those costs are met by the Lions themselves.
See us next at the Woodbridge Regatta on June 19th.
If at times the scale of problems in the wider world leaves us wondering
how we, as a small club, can make a difference, a report just published
shows how those little contributions can add up to something
significant. Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm
of Lions Clubs International, the largest service club organization in
the world with 1.35 million members in 206 geographic areas and
countries. LCIF was ranked by a Financial Times' study as the number one
non-governmental organization with which to partner. – it has for
example a partnership agreement with the Red Cross / Red Crescent to
provide emergency aid. Through Sight First, its campaign to eradicate
treatable and preventable blindness, LCIF has restored sight or saved
the vision of 30 million people. Learn more about LCIF at
www.lcif.org.
Martlesham Heath 10Km Road Race &
2.5 Km Fun Run 2011
Details for this years event are now available here.
The 14th Annual Disabled Persons Swimming Gala
The 14th Annual Disabled Persons Swimming Gala was hosted at the Crown Pools Ipswich on Saturday 2nd April by the Lions Clubs of Felixstowe, Ipswich, Stowmarket & Woodbridge. For a full report please see this article.
Woodbridge News (April 2011)
The Elmhurst
Extravaganza is fast approaching and we look forward to seeing a
good crowd for an afternoon of old-fashioned family fun, featuring old
favourites such as the Whoopee Dipper and some new attractions. Events
start at 2pm in the beautiful setting of Elmhurst Park, Woodbridge on
Sunday 1st May.
Whilst events close to home may take a lot of our time, we cannot ignore
the natural disasters and human tragedies that have occurred elsewhere
in the world. This is where the truly international nature of the Lions’
movement is at its best; the unique Lions Clubs International
Foundation, which we support, enables Lions Clubs close to the scene of
disasters to provide much needed aid with the minimum of bureaucracy and
transport, alongside contributing their skills and resources in whatever
way to the relief efforts, for example: following the earthquake in
Japan, Lions in Japan provided disaster relief, while the Foundation
mobilized more than US$5 million to support immediate and long-term
relief efforts. Lions in Japan themselves are working to raise $3
million, coordinating relief efforts via social media and using the
Japan Lions Office in Tokyo as their emergency relief headquarters.
Woodbridge News (March 2011)
With warmer weather beckoning, the planning for this year’s
Elmhurst Extravaganza is well
under way. On Sunday 1st May, the beautiful and tranquil setting of
Elmhurst Park in the heart of Woodbridge will host a range of rides,
stalls and sideshows from the traditional to the modern, including the
Woodbridge Lions very own children’s ride, the Whooppee Dipper – would
any event be complete without it? It all goes to provide an afternoon of
good old fashioned fun for all the family. As with all Lions events, the
proceeds will be returned to the community through our donations and
charitable activities.
Taking a break from activities, our Spring programme of social evenings
has taken in a highly entertaining talk on the history of Punch and Judy
and a visit to the Ipswich Transport Museum. Our illustrious quiz team
competed in the East Anglian final, achieving a creditable third place.
Woodbridge News (February 2011)
After the busy Christmas period we’ve had the chance to catch our breath, enjoy a couple of social events and also regain South Suffolk trivia quiz shield from arch rivals Ipswich. Our intrepid quiz team now progresses to the East Anglian final. After last year’s unprecedented wash out, the Elmhurst Extravaganza is in the planning stages once again. This year’s event will be held in Elmhurst Park on the afternoon of Sunday 1st May. Watch for further details, as we hope to have some new attractions alongside the well established favourites. We hope as many people as possible will be there to enjoy an afternoon of fun for all the family and to help us fund our contribution to the community.
Woodbridge News (January 2011)
Although Christmas now seems a long time ago, we really must say a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our collections in December. At the Turban Centre we raised £344; at Tesco Martlesham Heath, £602 and on the Sleigh Ride on the 16th December £142. Funds went towards our Christmas parcels project, which this year delivered 204 bags of seasonal groceries to people for whom Christmas may otherwise have been just another day. The many touching messages of thanks that we have received do make the whole project worthwhile; people saying how grateful they are to know that someone has thought of them. Not neglecting the social side, we found time for an enjoyable Christmas party, a time to catch up with all the Lions and exchange anecdotes. February will see us planning the Elmhurst Extravaganza, our now traditional curtain raiser to the summer – just hoping for better weather than last year – more details to follow.