Our Spring Quiz in May attracted around 25 teams to do battle on a variety of subjects ranging from current affairs, musicals and famous quotations to singers & their backing groups, towns & cities in New Zealand and the nicknames of football clubs. So it's a huge thank you to everyone who came along, enabling us to raise a magnificent £1,800, all of which we will be donating to a range of good causes.
Thanks also go to quizmaster Ian Gillings, who has found a new role for when he steps down as President at the end of June, and to the bar staff of the two Nicks - Turner and Parr.
The winners were the Wild We team from Farnsfield with an excellent 105 points. Several other teams were hot on their heels with over 100 points. As well as the usual raffle and 'True or False', we featured an auction for a giant Easter Egg, which raised a brilliant £80 - thanks to the generosity of the first successful bidder who donated it back for a second auction.
We hope to see everyone back at our next Quiz in November!
Collecting for Marie Curie
We returned to Morrisons in Newark in late February and early March for our regular collection on behalf of Marie Curie, the cancer care charity. This year, we decided to move our collection days from the weekend to Thursday and Friday, and Marie Curie benefitted as a result. More than a dozen Lions were on collection duty over four days and eight shifts. Thank you to Lion Steven Scall for organising, Morrisons staff for making us welcome and to their customers for their generosity.
Burns Night is back!
After a gap of several years, Southwell Lions celebrated Burns Night on 26th January in the magnificent surroundings of the Great Hall at Southwell Minster. Around 70 people enjoying a three course meal - including cullen skink and, of course, haggis, neeps and tatties - and plenty of appropriate liquid refreshments, all cooked by a select band of skilled Lions chefs under the expert leadership of Rama Nanda from The Reindeer Inn on Westgate.
The haggis was led into the Great Hall in the traditional manner by Pipe Major Pat Larkin of Nottinghamshire Pipes & Drums and was addressed in faultless Rabbie Burns verse by Gordon Green. Lion Alastair Murray - in his traditional family tartan - kept his nerve and a steady hand as he carried the haggis along the length of the Great Hall to rest before the expectant guests.
Huge thanks go to Rama, who negotiated the logistics of cooking numerous haggises (including vegetarian) and ensuring the neeps and tatties were mashed to a perfection. Also, our thanks go to pipe major Pat Larkin, Gordon Green and the folk group - Jim Coggan, Ruth Dobson and Dave Lambert - who entertained us all afterwards. The evening was organised by Lions Ian Gillings and Roger Eastty, who were aided and abetted by several more Lions with cooking, serving and washing up.
Swimathon trophy presented to Southwell Swimming Club
On Saturday 20th January, the Bob Eastty Swimathon Trophy was awarded to Southwell Swimming Club for winning the event which was held at Southwell Leisure Centre last October.
The event is run by Southwell and District Lions Club where sponsored clubs and other groups are asked to complete a swimming trial, with the team raising the most money for their organisation being declared the winner.
The handing over ceremony was conducted at the Leisure Centre with members of the Swimming club and Lions being present.
The Lions would like to give a big thank you to everyone who participated in 2023. It was great to see you all at the poolside. Given the present situation facing the Leisure Centre, this year's event is unlikely to take place. However, we will keep all advised.