Well it’s been another amazing year for us at Westbury Lions Club and it is with huge thanks to our fantastic community for all the support you give us throughout the year.
After a fantastic Santa Float collection in 2018 here we are again as I write this in full flow of this years rounds, although we have been a little hindered by the weather this year we endeavour to cover as much of our local community we can and I would like to say a huge thank you to all my fellow Lions and friends who came out night after night for three weeks of December to see the joy that seeing Santa brings, while raising funds for our local community.
The start of our events in the new year started as always with our free Easter egg hunt in the grounds of All Saint’s Church. This year we gave away a record amount of eggs and with added tea and cakes, it is one of our Leos’ favourite events, along with our senior citizens’ party in May at the Paragon Hall. This was a lovely afternoon of sandwiches, tea and cakes, while being entertained by a variety of musical acts and this year we even had a comedian. The afternoon ended with everyone leaving with a gift.
Talking about our Leos, who are the youth division of Westbury Lions, I would like to give a very special thank you; they turn up with great enthusiasm to everything we do as a club and give it their all. We are so very proud of them all. A special mention to them as this year they completed the project they started in 2018, of restoring the lost graves of the Quakers, who included John Matravers, who left in his will money for the very school that they all attend. It was great to see how this project bought so many different aspects of our community together.
We celebrated our 45 chartered year with a dinner and dance, which was attended by local Lions clubs, dignitaries and friends of Lions.
June saw our 14th annual Donkey Derby and we were blessed with another beautiful day weather wise and it still remains one of our most popular events. I think we all look forward to seeing the donkeys as much as the children do.
Our next big event was in September, seeing our second attempt at our classic vehicle show, a collaboration between Westbury and Trowbridge Lions clubs and what a great success it was, with a record amount of amazing vehicles turning up to make this one of our greatest events yet. We had such amazing feedback from the day and raised a record amount of money – all of which is put back into our communities. So if you came, enjoyed and supported us, a huge thank you to you all. Please keep the 6th September 2020 free, as we are already planning for the next one.
October saw our next annual event, the Lions 10k run. This has become a very popular event and this year saw a record amount of runners for a steady run from the White Horse Country Park to Bratton and back again. Well done to everyone who came and took part.
This year saw one very special occasion for us as a Lions club when we saw our very first Leo become a fully badged up Lion. Maddy Strout was the first President of our newlyformed Leos club, so it’s been a delight to see her take all that Lions clubs stand for and embrace it and become part of our hugely successful club. Hopefully, she is the first of many of our Leos who want to continue on their journey as part of Westbury Lions.
Being a Lion is all about wanting to give something back to our own community and sometimes further afield when disasters strike. Quite often, Lions clubs all over the world are the first to respond with not only funds, but practical help to alleviate problems that arise from those disasters.
This is one reason I have been so proud to represent this wonderful group of people this year in my role as president It never ceases to amaze me just how much Lions will give of themselves to be able to give to those who need it. Thank you all, we work hard to achieve what we do but in doing this, have so much fun friendship and a real sense of family.
Thank you also to our friends who support us year after year, we greatly appreciate all that you do to help us throughout the year.
If anyone is interested in joining us or seeing more of what we do, please take a look at our website West burylions.org or our facebook page.
Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous new year.
Westbury Lion President Michelle Strout
