Zone Reports

Although the Clubs all have active programmes that benefit their communities, it is becoming apparent that with reducing numbers and an increasing Club age profile, recruitment of new, younger members must be seen as a priority. Most clubs will have seen some effect on numbers following the COVID pandemic, a period when normal club activities were difficult. All of the clubs have managed to continue with their welfare and fundraising activities, and are looking to recruit new members. 

Zone E - Lisa Rust

I have visited all of my Clubs, I have been made to feel most welcome. I hold quarterly well attended Zone meetings where active discussion is encouraged. We are involved in many Zone projects. I have reinstated the Zone Bone competition in an attempt to build friendship and get to know better those we work on Zone projects with.

The Bra Recycling Bin at the Community Store  continues to be we'll supported, DPD have made 3 large collections so far.

All Clubs have been instrumental in supporting the Community Store, Christmas food parcels and gifts and supported with general running funds and Lion power.

All clubs have taken on a role to raise funds for the Zone FunFest event, and all clubs are on the FunFest Committee.

The IT project continues to support those in need, they are looking for more laptops.

ROAR 23 saw 14 local schools be supported across the Zone.  Cherrywood school won, they were supported by Farnborough Lions. ROAR 24 looks t be just as successful.

FLEET Lions and FLOGS branch club –  46

Fleet and Flogs have supported various individual grants, held a well-attended PSA event, Beerfest, Fireworks, Carol Concert, and trialled an Advent Calendar multi club project. They have just badged up 2 new members. They will be celebrating their 50^th Charter later this month.

ALDERSHOT branch club – 10 members

Aldershot Lions President, Ian, sadly passed to Higher Service last month. The Club are so active in their community. They have held various Quiz nights and Chocolate Tombolas, they regularly support the Community Grub Hub and Fleet Lions events. They were also involved in the Advent Calendar project. They have just badged up a new member.

FARNBOROUGH Lions – 10 members

Farnborough have held Quiz nights, collected Christmas parcels, won ROAR 23. They ran their first very successful PSA event. and regularly promote through BRadio. They hope to be able to continue to run their Classic Car rally.

HART Lions – 15 members

Hart Lions have catered at the Model Railway, collected Christmas hampers and ran Light Up a Life scheme. They were involved in he Advent Calendar project. They have supported local Youth and  individual grants.

HOOK & ODIHAM Lions – 21 members

Hook and Odiham have held Spooktacular event, food hampers, raffles and secured grants for Zone projects. They regularly help their local Village Magpies and drive for the Fleet Food Bank.

YATELEY & DISTRICT Lions – 29 members

Yateley regularly marshal the local 10K events they  held a Fireworks display and a Christmas market.

As a Zone we have run New Lion Induction training for 6

1 attended MD Symposium, 2 attended the ALLI in Berlin and we attended the Autumn Forum.

Zone F - Andy Goffin

(Figures taken from Club Health Assessment, January 2024)

Further new members are anticipated before the end of the Lion year.

Burnham Lions are a potential concern as their President relocated to Bolton at the end of January and a long standing and active member Marilyn Rolfe was unexpectedly called to higher service in late January. Positively, they had 3 guests at their January Club meeting. 

Three Zone meetings have been held so far this year, each hosted by a different Club, with the 4^th meeting scheduled for 22^nd May (host Club and venue TBC). All 8 Clubs have generally been represented, with an average attendance of 22 members. Meetings have included presentations about Parkinson's UK (Reading branch), Thames Valley Adventure playground, and most recently ROAR 2024. These meetings have helped general communications between Clubs and facilitated the sharing of ideas and information. 

I hope that we will also have a Zone social event – a skittles evening – before year end.

All clubs have been active in fundraising, service and social activities as their membership numbers allow. Clubs have also collaborated well, supporting one another's events where a greater number of helpers has been required. 

I have been able to attend and/or help at a variety of Club events including Burnham's Classic Car Show and Christmas Market, Maidenhead's 50^th Charter Dinner and Swimarathon, Reading's PSA event and skittles evening, Windsor's Awards evening, and Woodley and Earley's Santa Sleigh and skittles evening. Visits to Club meetings are scheduled to take place over the next 3 months.

Maidenhead Lions celebrated their 50 year anniversary with a Dinner last September, and Wokingham Lions will celebrate their 50 year anniversary in May and June with a couple of special events.

Zone G - Richard Weaver

Are there any issues in any of the clubs or the Zone that a Cabinet officer might be able to assist with? No

I visited all clubs in the Zone at least once with some clubs having two visits so far for this Lionistic year and intend to complete a second visit to the rest after my holiday. Sadly Bournemouth & Christchurch are in the process of closing down due to various reasons not least of which is the age of their members.

In October the Zone project was a beach clean at Studland which we managed to get into the Sentinel.

Wareham is in the process of inducting a lady into the club (the first one) with possibly more in the pipeline.

I intend to stand again for the position of Zone Chair in the coming year

I also had the honour and privilege to present a 50 year service badge to one of the members of New Milton a fantastic achievement

Zone H - Christine Asquith

Frances and myself have visited all the Clubs in Zone H and finding them working very hard within their Community. All the Clubs are very pro-active, delivering MIAB, collecting spectacles and supporting events that are taking place.

All the Clubs have Annual Events that they organise or contribute to which includes Christmas Sleighs, Duck Races, Fayres and Parties and Romsey and Waterside also run a monthly book stall which is very good for raising the awareness of Lions Clubs.

Despite Membership being a big issue the Clubs are very organised in ensuring that the Events and activities take place with great success. All Clubs are working hard to gain more Members.

I asked for ideas for a Social Evening and Bowling was suggested. However this had to be cancelled due to lack of support so I I feel the next way forward to get the Clubs together is to organise a Zoom meeting and build up from there. On Reflection I feel that this should have taken place at the start of the Lionistic Year.

I have had a pallet of MIAB's delivered for distribution within the Zone.

Zone I - Paul Allaway

Due to travel restrictions and the cost of travel I have yet to visit the Clubs in the Zone but am hoping to do visit the Isle Wight in April.

However, I have held a couple of Zoom meetings with most of the Clubs attending.

There have been difficulties within the Isle of Wight as unfortunately due to ill health a few other issues we lost Ventnor but Sandown and Shanklin did absorb one member and the Ventnor Club assets.

Current membership in the Zone is 75 which overall is down 1 on last year which is mainly due to members passing on to higher service.

Above figures based on Club Health assessment through January 2024.

All Clubs continue to Serve in their communities and take part in Spectrek, Message in a bottle etc and raise funds through several events including Swimarathon attendance at village fairs, muddy fun runs and shows.

Clubs are also working together with other Charities such as Round Table, local hospices etc. in putting on events or helping at the Charities organised event.

Together with the DG team we are hoping to travel to Isle of Wight in early April to assist the Island Clubs in a recruitment drive and promote awareness of Lions.