Why would you want to join the Lions?
Besides all the great work they do in the community, Edwinstowe and the Dukeries Lions make sure to enjoy themselves. One way was to revive the Games Night, arranged to challenge other Lions clubs to play classic games, alongside food, drink and a raffle.
The games were Table Skittles, Quoits, Shove Ha’penny, Roll-a-Ball and a golf putting game. There was a great turn out including Lion friends from Southwell, Retford and Lincoln. This roaring success is intended to be repeated. Edwinstowe and the Dukeries Lions Club is part of a huge family, both locally and internationally.
The primary focus is to support people in need in the local community: Ollerton, Bilsthorpe, Edwinstowe, and also Walesby, Wellow and parts of Mansfield. They also support other organisations: Bee Humble for homeless in Mansfield, Bluebell Wood, The Air Ambulance, the wonderful Rope Project in Ollerton, and many more worthy groups.
Quiz Nights and Race Nights are in the pipeline, and ideas for further social events are being discussed.
Their annual Birthday Charter Dinner dance celebrates the founding of the club; members dress up in posh gear, have a great meal at the South Forest with music, dancing and the compulsory raffle.
The end of the year is probably the most important time for Lions and probably what they are best known for: helping to carry Santa around local villages, taking sweets and chatting to the children.
The group works so hard in December and this is where they really need help. They will need a couple of sleigh towers, especially in Edwinstowe and Bilsthorpe, following the devastating loss of their oldest member.
John ‘Rudolph’ Whitlam was integral to the club: not only as a great Lion of 22 years, but a fine man who worked tirelessly even in ill health. He never let anyone down. Maybe John can’t be replaced, but certainly his good work can be continued!
If this has piqued your interest, please call Lions club secretary Jonathan Yarwood on 07581 265531, or email jon.c.yarwood@gmail.com for more information.