Post market collection do at Ian's

Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil and See no Evil; 3 Lions warming their vitals on Ian's hearth. We would have had something to eat and drink but we couldn't get up.

Scenes from the float '09

This is what it's all about!! Collect a bit of money and then stuff your face with mince pies at regular stops along the route. David's looking really guilty - so he should, he's just stuffed 3 pies into his mouth and John's almost caught him out. Marie is looking for yet another loo stop.

What do you call a gathering of Santas, a Claustraphobia, I've just made that up!! Nick doesn't fancy the pies and is kindly asking John if he has any warm nuts. Looking at where is hand's going, I think he's taking it a bit too far.

And then onto the pub to count up the money with yet more food and ale. In fact, is this whole fortnight just one big excuse for an elaborate pub crawl? Couldn't we extend this to last most of the year - then again perhaps not - we wouldn't survive. What's surprising though is that despite the fact that we have a retired banker, 3 tax men and other highly and more intelligent Lions, we have yet to add up the collection correctly.

Christmas Dance '09

Riemie and Annick as part of the 'welcome' committee demanding money for the raffle. Even poor Sue was not allowed to pass. However, they do look rather glamorous (I was made to add that), Riem's standing behind me with a hammer drill.


Here we've captured a very rare moment - dancing Lions. Mike and Mick are doing their version of 'dad dancing', better though than the lady in the background who is attempting to take off.



And the band generating all this enthusiasm is, and always has been, the Jimmy Willan band who have done sterling work for many a year. When he first came all of the Lions were still working and they could manage to dance for more than two numbers on the trot.

Senior Citizens' Concert Dec. '09

The Senior Citizens were welcomed by Ian (Rudolph) Robinson - he's already been given a place in one of the local homes for the deranged. However, even this did not deter over a 100 'Seniors' attending the concert.



Part of the Lion's choir augmented by some of our wives, partners or girlfriends (wishful thinking)!!
Unfortunately we do not have photos of the other excellent acts - 'The Palace Singers' and and a barber shop quartet 'Special Blend'. The audience had a great time apart from those who feinted and were whisked off by St. John's.


Proof that had good time was had by all. Sandwiches and refreshments provided by the Lions + a contribution of mince pies from the Coop.

firework display 2009

Fortunately the weather was perfect - no wind or rain. The entrance to the field looked like a fairy grotto, candle lit pumpkins lined the route, the smell of burgers and sausages whafted down from the BBQ and Roger's mushy peas gave a sensory experience which no punter could possibly resist.

And just to add to the appeal, we have two glamorous assistants, Kathy and Marion, who delicately served the cuisine with onions or ketchup. Roger's looking on and asking if anybody wants his 'mushy's'.


Graham, Tony and Nick waiting in anticipation for the hordes to descend. Tony being the chief pyrotechnic is looking most concerned. It's extremely important to to get the order of fireworks correct, nobody wants your 'Barrage Box' to go off before
we've seen the 'Sweet Dreams' or even the 'Swedish Delight'

This was a rather unkind picture. Not a nice way to describe fellow Lions. Whoever took this should be heavily fined. I thought Malcolm and Richard did a fine job although this was taken at 10pm when everyone else was in the pub

Everybody gets roped in - friends, family and partners and who knows, potential future Lions but don't mention it within their earshot.

This is where all the really hard work is done - Ian, John, Graham and Mike sweating over the burgers, sausages and onions. The public can be so demanding, wanting everything cooked thoroughly. We even managed 'flamegrilled' but only when it was getting cold.

Where's the Health and Safety when you want them? Roger is showing off his bandaged fingers - the first case that St. John's have had to deal with since the fireworks started in 1605. Somebody needs to tell him that it's better to use a ladle to put the peas into the cartons.

BBQ - August '09

On a rather damp and cool August evening the Lions brave the elements and hold their annual BBQ. This fine body of men are gathered around the coals more to keep warm than to practice their culinary arts.
Barry's holding a very impressive piece of equipment, Graham wondering what he's going to do with it and Mike, Joe, Richard and Vernon trying to stand downwind.


The 'Reindeer' provided all the equipment and food for which Tony is giving a well desrved round of applause. The more sensible Lions edge towards the pub.
A successful evening but next year could we not find a warmer venue - the Maldives perhaps or David Peel's conservatory.

STOP PRESS!!

Mike Broadley has kindly offered his recycled garden shed as a multi-purpose amenity for future Lions activities: Suggestions so far include - A Firework store, venue for sub committee meetings, the Presidents BBQ, a paint store for John.H., holiday chalet - £10/week for two sharing a camp bed - contents of chamber pot to be tipped over vegetables (ammonia is supposed to be very good for adding colour and size to your cucumbers), a quiet 'retreat' for all those tax officials and bankers who need to get away from constant abuse and finally a small but excusive drinking establishment - BYO alcohol, crisps and nuts - salad and fresh berries are available for free from the allotment.

2009 Charter Night at Saracens Head

Paul is now able to stand upright and is in the process of handing over the shackles of command to Tony. The job apparently now includes having to wear that yellow jacket. I thought yellow jackets were reserved for winners of the Tour de France although Paul and Tony have just returned from a successful 'Tour de Single Malt' in Scotland.

The outgoing President manages to get a few words in before being heckled for referring to our home town as Suthell, which he did, not once, not twice but four times. I bet that balloon is full of 'hot air'.


What follows is a random selection of photos, apologies if you are not included but as it is a public site I thought I'd best show the better side of our Lions i.e. those with good looks and gravitas.
Whoops! gone wrong already - did Nick bother to shave and why did he choose that seat?


Brian is clearly enjoying himself - just found someone else who supports Forest.


A bit like Playschool, this group were sitting on the rectangular table in the naughty corner or it was reserved for those who have to wear braces. I hope that those who need secondary support are going for the healthy option.


Barry must stop going to those tanning salons. He'd disappear against a darker background, good job he's cleaned his teeth.


Tony has the full attention of two young ladies although the nearest is looking a bit dubious about his exaggerated claims - Roz seems to be telling the truth.

Tony, the quiet retiring one, whispering sweet nothings into Viv's ear. She's probably very impressed by being offered a box of prawns from Greenland at cost price.
You can get them cheaper from Iceland!!
John just lets him get on with it.

Presidents BBQ 26th June'09

Typical Lion's organisation, our annual summer President's BBQ, is held in the garden of Vice President and guess who isn't there, yes you've got it - the President.

Tony did his best and had even organised a one-way system through his house to try and avoid a free-for-all over the salads. It was never going to work - most of the Lions can't read, some resented the extra walking involved and others are blatantly obstreperous.

Anne and John have just been told why Paul can't make his own BBQ. I told them that this was not an appropriate response but after three empty wine bottles (I think) they clearly didn't care.

By the way, their corner of the gazebo had central heating and walls, the rest of us had to suffer and as can be seen in the picture below, Richard has already caught a cold.

Apologies for not including more pictures - these are not particularly good but the others were rubbish - much too dark or just the back of people's heads. I'm going on a photography course when I've retired, I need to learn more about focal length and exposure or at least that's what I 'think' Riemie said!

BBQ for the French

Saturday 6th June and the Lions yet again show off their culinary skills but what a challenge!! How could they impress the French visitors who were here as part of 'Friends of Sees Twinning Association'. As you can see the 'A' Team were on the case.
Ian has just suggested a little coq au vin. John's eyes watered immediately.


Not one French person in sight just 5 Lions with booze in hand. This is hardly cordon bleu lads. The people from Sees saw smoldering sausage, sloshed seniors and scarpered swiftly to seek sustenance in Southwell.
Haute cuisine does not mean 'on your own' - still they look happy- bless!!

Quiz Night and Skittles Evening

On Friday 15th May we held our much vaunted Quiz Night and raised over £1,000. Unfortunately I forgot to take my Camera and have no record of the event. Moral - do not rely on GC and somebody please bring a camera to future events - just in case.
Some taxmen apparently won, but then had the nerve to claim their wine bill back on expenses.
Clue to whom came last: 'the gloss was taken off his evening'
At least everybody now knows what a Numbat is, although I did take exception to someone who claimed that it was our secretary.

We also had an excellent skittles evening at the Crown in Bathley on 21st. We played Edwinstowe Lions but rather unfairly they had women in their team. However, we could have played combined men against those ladies and still lost although one or two ladies did try to put a hole through the roof with the ball.
The Pub Grub was delicious - proper home made Steak Pie.
We lost!!

Swimathon Presentation

Paul Wilkinson (looking vaguely like Royalty - a young Charles or an old William) presents the Swimathon Trophy to Graham Cullen, the Headteacher of Halam Junior School. The School were this year's biggest fund raiser.

As OFSTED would say 'Outstanding'!

Meal for the Ladies

On Friday 24th April '09 the Lions Club made a rod for their own back. Where will it end? As a thankyou for the ladies' excellent support throughout the year the male Lions created, cooked and served up a fabulous meal which in any other venue would have cost a fortune. We even washed up!! Personally, I think we set too high a standard.
Paul took the following incriminating pictures to many of which I am reluctant to give a caption, for fear of libel but then again who cares.

The ladies are clearly oblivious to all the hard graft going on behind the scenes. The starters haven't even been served and they've already quaffed three bottles of vino.



This is slightly scarry.
I could make some very obvious comments but I am sure Nick is only referring to the size of the melons which he had for sale in his shop. With hands like those, you can see why he played cricket.


John reckons that his Tiramisu was by far the best. He just looks a little too comfortable in his 'pinny' - enjoying the experience perhaps a little too much. I always thought he looked good in pink!!

Proof that the men were hard at it. The place was left spotless. I just hope that not too many of the wives view this blog. This is not the norm and is completely out of our comfort zone.


I thought long and hard before publishing this photo of Richard and Brian, I just think they seem to be enjoying the whole experience far too much. It was supposed to hard work lads! Do we really want this to become an annual event?


'Next time you make Tiramisu in my kitchen make sure you wash up the pots'

Help for the Literacy Volunteers

On 24th March '09, a great big cheque for £1200 was presented to the Literacy Volunteers. It was gratefully accepted by Toni Edwards who described how the money would go a long way to supporting their invaluable work.

There are 320 volunteers who work in 167 Nottinghamshire schools, helping 1200 students a week in reading and generally helping them to improve their confidence. Most of the money will be used in buying suitable books and materials to assist the volunteers in their brilliant cause.

CURRY NIGHT 26th Feb.

Curry night at the Khyber is becoming an annual event and before I receive any complaints - the pictures and comments were supplied by Gordon.
Gordon has suggested that when the president starts to talk people seem to go to sleep or turn away - personally I think that's a bit
cruel.


Not a bit of curry left on Nick's plate - nothing unusual there then!

Nice picture of Pauline but would welcome comments about Roger. Can't work out whether it was taken before or after the event - I suppose the two bottles of beer is a bit of a clue.

Presentation on Tuesday 24th Feb

A grand total of £4000 handed over to a delighted representative from Family Care. All the money was raised from our 'Carols for Everyone' concert in December.

She is flanked by Barry, Mike and our esteemed president Paul, still doing a great impression as an ice cream salesman.

On the same night we had an informative and interesting talk from a guy from Water Aid (sorry - forgot to take his name).

The number of people in water stressed countries is projected to climb to 3 billion by 2025!!

The average European uses 200 litres of water every day - in developing countries the average is only 10 litres!!

Perfect day in Derbyshire

A small but select group had a great day in Derbyshire.
Fantastic weather - cold, crisp and dry
Great scenery - along the Derwent between Baslow and Calver and then onto Curbar and Baslow Edge.
Good exercise - 7 miles (should have been 6 but we had to avoid some vicious looking highland cattle)



A well earned rest on top of Curbar Edge - brilliant views but bitterly cold - if only Margaret would share the hot drink - Ian kept muttering something about 'Millstone'!!



Anne's sheltering from the icy blast but Mike is clearly keen to press on to reach Baslow before the coffee and cake shop closes.

Great day though and whetted the appetite for more challenges - 'onwards and upwards'.