Barton Under Needwood Branch Lions Club

We support our community in two ways: -

1. We give of our Time

2. We give donation

Volunteering our Time

G4 Concert in aid of Missing People Charity Nov 2023

Barton and Lichfield Lions volunteered their time at the G4 Christmas concert in aid of the Missing People Charity at Lichfield Cathedral this month. The evening was a splendid affair with a sell out crowd who were treated to an amazing vocal evening by G4. They entertained us all with a medley of Christmas carols and songs in the atmospheric surroundings of Lichfield Cathedral and were joined on the stage at times by local school children.

The Lions helped people to their seats, and held a bucket rattle at the end of the evening which raised £715.20. All proceeds going to the Missing People charity.

Rangemoor Onion Festival 2023

Barton Lions supported the Rangemoor Onion Festival on 9th September on what turned out to be the hotest day of the year! The Lions not only supplied manpower for the car parking but also providing live musical entertainment with Mike Kirkland (Tatenhill) and Leanne Summers (Newbury in Berkshire) performing during the afternoon. Hairy Biker Dave Myers who lives in Rangemoor did the honors of officially opening the event and spent time having his picture taken with people and signing autographs.

The Lions had their own stall and ran a tombolla, name the Teddy competition and childrens Tattoos.

A lovely fun day, shared by old and young alike.

Barton Teddy Bear Festival 2023

Barton Lions were out in force at this weekends Teddy Bear Festival. We manned the car parkl and our own stall to raise funds towards the church. Our own Lion Hunt which has been going on i the village for the last 4 weeks was drawn on the Sunday and the three lucky winners were : - Maisie Cattell (11), Esme Hudson (8) and Daniel Weedon (5). A £15 WH Smith voucher was awarded to all three. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who participated and hope you enjoyed the fun.

I am sure our Lions will be finding new places to hide next year!

Barton, Yoxall & Alrewas Aug Health & Wellbeing Event Aug 23

Barton Lions were delighted to be invited along to participate in the Health & Wellbeing Event held on Saturday 19^th August at Barton Village Hall hosted by Barton, Yoxall and Alrewas Patient Groups. This annual event is gaining more and more kudos and interest as the general public are actively seeking knowledge and information about what services are provided in their areas which will enables then to proactively look after their own health and wellbeing.

Barton Lions chatted to lots of people and gave away nearly 100 Message in a Bottle containers and collected 3 bins full of spectacles and hearing aids and promoted Lions and what we do in the local community. A very successful event that we will repeat next year.

The Activity Alliance Junior Championship Games 1st and 2nd July 2023

A thank you from the organisers- Thank you so much for coming along to help at the 2023 Activity Alliance Junior Championship Games over the weekend. My thanks go to all of you for everything you did.

Your help is much appreciated by myself and Activity Alliance. Without the team of Lion Volunteers Activity Alliance could not run the Games.

Whatever role you carried out it meant that the Games ran smoothly, everybody was fed, cars directed to the car park and the athletes could participate in their respective sport. There were many smiling faces as athletes proudly showed off their medals.

Thank you on behalf of everyone involved.

Barton Lions volunteer at the Missing People Garden at The Gardeners World Exhibition Birmingham

From 10th-18th June, families affected by missing, as well as Missing People staff and volunteers, attended Gardeners’ World Live, and created a garden border ‘Missing You’ to commemorate missing loved ones.

The border display garden was designed and created by a group of families of missing people, and those who sadly died whilst missing. Families involved include Mike and Karen Bone, parents of Matthew Bone, who went missing and was later found deceased, and Julie and Rob Stammers, parents of missing Anthony from Essex. Together, these families also wanted to recognise and celebrate the 30 years of the charity.

The garden border has been created by families who are missing loved ones. They hope to convey the moments of escape and refuge that tending a garden can provide by becoming fully absorbed in the healing power of nature. It also captures the difficult emotional journey experienced fluctuating between feelings of hope, loss, and reflection.

The border is a retreat and demonstrates mindful gardening bringing peace. The metal and perspex figures remind us that although the loved one is missing, they are never forgotten, and the search never ends. The still water allows for reflection on happy memories and strengthens hope for the future. The names displayed on the tree’s branches remind families that they are not alone. The calm meadow planting provides relief from the ambiguous sense of both hope and loss, represented by the darker planting.

The garden attracted interest from the public and was also awarded a Silver Merit at the awards ceremony. You can see images of the finished garden in our gallery here.

Families at Gardeners’ World Live also spoke to BBC West Midlands to discuss the garden border and its meaning.

Barton Lions support Barton's Defibrilator

Barton Lions have contributed funds to keep the community defibrilator located at Barton library up and running. A vital peice of health equipment located at the heart of our community.

Newborough Well Dressing

Barton Lions joined the team of organisers at the annual Well Dressing in Newborough in May 23. We helped park cars, sell programmes and generally give a helping hand where possible. The sun shone and the crowds came out to celebrate. A great day was had by all.

Giving Donations

Thanks to you all for donating and making this possible.

We are able to donate in two different ways. The first is with our time though volunteering at events and supporting the local community. The second is through financial or other donations.

With the funds we have raised from our funraising events recently, we have managed to donate to the following organisations: -

Burton Hope- Burton Hope are a charity for the homeless in Burton on Trent.

John Anderson Chairman of Burton Hope receiving a donation from Lions President Steve Shields

Please click on this link for more information about Burton Hope https://www.burtonhope.co.uk/

St James Church- Local Church of England Church in Barton Under Needwood

Rev Andy Simpson received a cheque for £250 towards some PA equipment for the church which will provide good quality sound and visuals in both their services and for other community groups which use the church. In the last 12 months John Taylor High School, Thomas Russell Junior school, The children’s society, Needwood Singers, The Barton Ranger guides and a Ukraine Appeal concert have all used the church for various activities, all of whom (and more) will benefit from this improvement.

In addition this will greatly improve their flexibility in worship for the regular congregation on a Sunday morning (now regularly between 50 and 70 people), enabling them to be more creative and engage younger people. The equipment is flexible enough to be used for the Wednesday morning carers and toddler group which currently attracts up to 60 people each week.

This will also reduce their use of paper when bespoke orders of service are required, taking them a step closer to Silver Eco Church status (they already hold the bronze award), by enabling them to display words, pictures and film clips

Rev Andy receiving a donation from Lions President Steve Shields & Lion Candy Kirkland

Individual donanions of White Goods have been made during this year too for people moving into council accommodation without facilities. The Lions step in where they can help.

Thank you from Thomas Russel School Barton

*** See our Supporting our Community for more information

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

President Steve Shields makes a donation to Sally McMahon from the Midlands Air Ambulance charity

http://www.midlandsairambulance.com