Projects and Activities
Elmhurst Extravaganza
“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. Events get underway at 2pm. As with all Lions events, the proceeds will be returned to the community through our donations and charitable activities.”
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. Some 35 competitors took
part in events ranging from "Wading a Width" to the more competitive 25M
freestyle. Organised by Eddie King of Ipswich Lions and ably compared by
Douglas Whyte of Stowmarket Lions. Disabled Clubs represented included
Beacon Hill School, Felixstowe Mencap, Suffolk 1 and Otley College. Our
thanks go especially to the Ipswich Life Saving Club, who accompanied
every competitor in the water, ensuring their safety and providing
plenty of encouragement; the staff of Ipswich Crown Pool who contributed
to a hugely enjoyable evening. Every competitor taking part received a
medal for each event, with copious supplies of fruit juice and bananas
to sustain them through the evening. Thanks to J J Wilson for generously
donating the bananas. The enjoyment of everyone taking part was evident
from the face-splitting grins they managed, even in the water, and the
“high fives” to the Lions around the pool. Lions’ Region Chairman Peter
Button, for the judges, picked out eight young people for special
awards, reflecting special effort, courage and sheer determination –
such as finishing their event even after the others had long left the
water. The special awards went to Christine Moore, Witney McCullem,
Roberta Lewis, Hanna Thorpe, Peter Grace, Toby Pearson, Charlie Leeming
and Harriet Lucas.
Speaking afterwards, Region Chairman Peter Button commented that it was
"stimulating to see Lions’ Clubs working together for the benefit of the
disadvantaged in the community".