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Please Support Devizes Lions |
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Would you like to be part of the action?
To enable us to continue arranging fund raising events in the town and
deliver much needed support to the community,
COME ALONG AND HELP US .....
Our Club Needs You!
If you would like to help us help others, don't delay, contact us now.
To find out more, click here:
Who are Devizes Lions?
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Now in its 50th year, Devizes Lions are committed to helping the people of Devizes and in the areas surrounding the town. With the support of the local community we have raised many thousands of pounds to help support local people and various charities. Whether a group needing funds, a community action group or just someone seeking help, Devizes Lions try to make the problem smaller.
During a typical year the Club raises funds through a variety of events, sales, collections and concerts, that it distributes to benefit worthwhile causes, such as local individuals, families, groups and charities that have approached us when in need of support.
In addition, we enable groups to raise their own funds through our popular Sponsored Walk and Swimathon, and we provide around 500 local children with new sporting experiences over our Sports Coaching Weekend.
As well as fulfilling our charitable aims, Devizes Lions Club is also a great social organisation where we enjoy fun and fellowship whilst supporting those that need our help.
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STOP PRESS!
To see our forthcoming events, click here: Forthcoming Events.
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Welcome to our Web Site
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Lions are here to help society and each member of that society; our motto is "We Serve". Use this website to find out more about what we do. |
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Notice to Visitors to this Website.
Please be advised that we will never ask anyone seeking a grant from Lions Clubs International or from any Lions Club to make any payment to secure a Lions grant.
Anyone contacting you by telephone, by letter or online and offering a Lions grant in exchange for a fee or advance payment to secure a Lions grant is doing so fraudulently, and you should not proceed with the matter.
For all the latest Club News and Events,
scroll down this page or click one of these links:
| Lions News | ||
| Forthcoming Events | ||
| Recent Events | ||
| Who are Devizes Lions | ||
| Interested in joining us? | ||
| Devizes Lions President 2018/19 | ||
| What is being said about Devizes Lions | ||
or visit our Calendar for a full list of our forthcoming events
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Would you like to be part of the action? |
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Please Support Devizes Lions |
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Who are Devizes Lions?
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Devizes Lions are dedicated to helping the people of Devizes and those in the areas surrounding the town. If your organisation or group is in need of help and you think we can assist, please visit our Contacts Page and get in touch now. |
With the support of the local community Devizes Lions have raised many thousands of pounds to help support local people and various charities. Whether a group needing funds, a community action group or just someone seeking help, Devizes Lions try to make the problem smaller.
During a typical year Devizes Lions raise funds through a variety of events, sales, collections and concerts, and distributes around £30,000 to worthwhile causes, including local individuals, families and groups that have approached us when in need of support.
In addition, we have enabled groups to raise their own funds through our popular Sponsored Walk and Swimathon, and we provide around 500 local children with new sporting experiences over our Sports Coaching Weekend.
Here are the formally adopted Purposes of the Club: Purposes
A Brief History of Lions Clubs International
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In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Melvin Jones' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. |
The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objectives and a code of ethics were approved and they elected Dr. William P. Woods of Indiana as their first President.
It was thanks to the support of Canadian Lions and the intervention of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, that the first Lions club in London was founded in 1950.
And the rest is history.
| To find out more about Lions, download a copy of this publication: ＃LionsGetInvolved |
or watch this short video:
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It's not all hard work! |
Here are some Lions enjoying a planning meeting! |
TO CONTINUE PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY WE NEED NEW MEMBERS TO HELP US
So now is the time to take this opportunity.
Find out more about becoming a Devizes Lion by contacting us now:
- phone us on 0345 833 6749
- e-mail us at Devizes Lions Club
- follow us on Facebook or Twitter
- visit our contact page for more options
Devizes Lions' President 2019/20
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OUR PRESIDENT  Devizes Lions' new President, Chris Ellis took over from former Lion President Andy Sheppard at a handover tea party on 30 June 2019.
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Lion President Chris Ellis with District 105W Governor Lion Sally Marsh. |
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At the same event Past President Lion Andy Sheppard conferred Melvyn Jones Awards on Michael Gaiger and Nigel Grist for their long and invaluable support and service to Devizes Lions.
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President Chris Ellis' key message for the year is that Devizes Lions should initiate, develop and improve. |
And this is what he has to say to everyone:
"Hello
It is my pleasure to be President of Devizes Lions in this our 50thyear.
I have lived in the Devizes area for all my life, I am married, I have two children and one grandchild.
I have been a Lion for over twenty years and this is my second term as President. It is again a pleasure to be working with so many experienced Lions who tirelessly give their time ably supported by their partners, raising funds at various events which are always well supported by the town. Most of the funds we raise are distributed locally.
We also carry out such events as the Sports Coaching weekend which last year was attended by over 500 children who learnt many new sporting activities. This year we are holding our inaugural Arts Coaching weekend in the autumn for children, we hope this will become a regular fixture in our calendar.
If you feel being a Lion is for you please contact us, we will be pleased to hear from you."
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Would you like to be part of the action? Click here: Find out more or Contact us. |
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What is being said about Devizes Lions
"Chase LOVED seeing Santa last night again, thanks so much to the Lions Club for continuing such a wonderful tradition that I can share with my child, that I remember doing as a child myself! Keeping Xmas magical." Cassie on our Facebook page.
"Big Thank You to Devizes Lions for organising the sponsored walk; we've managed to raise over £1400 (and still counting) for Victim Support"
"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Devizes Lions again for their continued support for First Stages. It means a great deal to us to know that our work is recognised, and we are very proud and grateful to have been among so many worthy recipients last week. The support the Lions gives to the smaller local groups is so important. Thank you!" Carole Berry.
"The Monday Club would like to thank ... the Lions who have worked so hard to support us." Jackie.
"The cheque given to us will help keep our club afloat and enable us to give our members some little pleasures." - Devizes PHAB.
"It's all great news people! More then 500 kids took a part in sport weekend this year - I know, because I asked... I can see so many advantages, not only fun some of them will continue, for some of them it was perhaps the only opportunity to try some sports, more sport - better health! More 'inspired' kids - more 'sporty' adults in the future! All voluntary job by Lions Club, how amazing!" Asia K.
And recently posted on Facebook:
"My daughter has come back from a canoeing session, with Don Jones 's autograph!
Seriously, a huge thank you and well done to Devizes Lions for organising their sports weekend again. My girls have respectively canoed and played badminton. It's a fantastic opportunity for our youngsters to try their hand at something new, or at something that their parents might not otherwise be able to afford for them to do." Sue Ross
http://lionsgiving.co.uk/international-appeals/lions-international-disaster-fund
Swimathon
29th February 2020
The aim of the Swimathon is to make it simple for people to raise money for their own favourite charity or worthy cause.
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Can your Fund Raising Team swim for an hour between 4pm and 10pm on Saturday 29 February at Devizes Leisure Centre Pool? The Lions Club provide all the facilities and the forms for your own charity, organisation or group to get sponsorship and claim any possible Gift Aid. Teams of 4 to 8 swimmers can enter, with only one swimmer in the water at any time. Children, parents, teachers etc can all enter and we won’t charge you. For entry forms or more details, please contact Lion Andy Sheppard on 0345 833 6749 You can download your own copy of the poster here: swimathon 2020 poster
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Spring Concert
28th March 2020
St Andrew's Church, Long Street, Devizes
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This year's concert will be held in St Andrew's Church, Long Street, Devizes and will feature the Trowbridge and District Youth Band, songs by the talented singer, Beth Coleman, along with music from Bangers and Nash. Tea and coffee will be available in the interval. Tickets are £10 and can be obtained from Devizes Books or by telephoning Lion John Harris on 01380 730440. Make a note in your diaries now! All proceeds of the event will be used to support Wiltshire Young Carers. You can download a copy of the poster here: Spring Concert 2020 poster.pdf
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Lions will be coming to visit local schools in January and bringing enough application forms for all children in years 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Completed forms should be returned to the schools by Friday 31 January at the latest.
A child that is home taught or is local but attends a school out of area may still be eligible to attend. Details can be found on our Sports Coaching page
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Would £2,000 MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR VOLUNTARY WORK? Awards will be made to deserving causes that are expected to be for the benefit of the residents of the Devizes and surrounding area. Exceptionally the panel may accept a project to meet a wider need. There will be a top award of £2,000 and the balance will be allocated to the other finalists. Interested? Alternatively, you can download an application form and presentation guidance notes here: |
Visit our Calendar for a full list of our forthcoming events.
Calendar
Devizes Corn Exchange 9:00am to 2:30pm
CHRISTMAS FAIR UPDATE
A BIG, BIG THANK YOU to all who came along and supported the Lions Christmas fair on Saturday and helped us raise nearly £9,000 that will all be used for charitable purposes.
Thank you also to the many friends and volunteers who helped us make the event such a success, and to those who donated items for us to sell.
Here are some photos of the event in progress:
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You can download your own copy of the poster here: Christmas Fair Poster
In 2018 Devizes Lions Christmas Fair raised over £9000 after expenses that has been used to help local charitable good causes.
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26th October 2019
Taster sessions for Primary School children in Year Groups 4, 5 & 6 from the Devizes area in various artistic activities.
There's an interesting article about the day in the Gazette and Herald: https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/18015099.everything-cheerleading-crochet-lions-devizes/
Visit our Arts Coaching page for further details of this highly successful day
Sponsored Walk
6th October 2019
The aim of the Sponsored Walk is to make it simple for people to raise money for their own favourite charity or worthy cause. The Sunday this year was a bright autumn day, perfect for a walk around Roundway Hill when about £2,000 was raised by our walkers for the various causes they were walking for.
A BIG THANK YOU and WELL DONE to all who walked.
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The format was the same as in previous years with a route of about 8 miles that follows the roads and tracks onto Roundway Down. The start and finish was at Devizes Wharf Theatre starting at 9.30 am prompt. Organisations and individuals were invited to take part and raise money for their own charity or other good cause. If you would like your sponsorship money to come to the Lions Club of Devizes for distribution to local charities, that would be most welcome. We provide the sponsorship forms and administration and ask that all money raised comes initially to Devizes Lions Club. All the money raised will be returned to the relevant charities or organisations after the walk. Download a copy of the poster here: sponsored walk 2019 poster.pdf |
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Presentation Evening 13th June 2019
Lions support for the local community
| Cheques for a total of £10,600 were handed out by the Mayor, Councillor Judy Rose, to thirty-two local groups at Devizes Lions' Presentation Evening on 13th June. The amounts were part of the end-of-year package of grants marking Lion Andy Sheppard's year as Club President. An additional £1750 was donated to Lions projects in the UK and overseas. |
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Recipients included these diverse groups:
Age UK - Wiltshire, Alzheimer's Support, Arts Together, Budo Club, Canon's House, Carer Support Wiltshire, CUDS (Clean Up Devizes), Devizes & District Link, Devizes & District PHAB , Devizes Child Contact Centre, Devizes Hospital and Community Radio, Devizes & District Food Bank, Devizes Men's Shed/Devizes Men's Club, Devizes Opendoors, Devizes Over 50's Club, Friends of Erlestoke Prison, Home-Start Kennet, Kennet Gateway Club, KFR, Mid Wiltshire Relate, Monday Club, Nursteed Community Centre, Samaritans, Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child, First Devizes Scout Group, The Tuesday Club, Victim Support Wiltshire, Waiblingen Way Residents' Association, Wiltshire Mind, Wiltshire Portage Service, Wiltshire Sight and Youth Action Wiltshire.
During the evening representatives explained the magnificent work of the various organisations and charities that were being supported and how the Lions’ donations would be used, with frequent references to tackling loneliness or isolation, providing transport that might not otherwise be affordable or providing facilities, meals and entertainment.
The Lions’ grants were part of the amount raised at various fund-raising events throughout the year that is used to support many local groups, families and individuals.
Picture: Lions Presentation Evening - June 2019
Representatives of the thirty-two local groups that received grants at the Devizes Lions’ Presentation Evening. Kneeling are Club President Lion Andy Sheppard (left) and the Lions Welfare Chairman Jerry King (right) with the Mayor of Devizes Councillor Judy Rose.
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Back in December, Devizes Lions contributed £650 to help a local mum to reach the amount needed to order a very special bike. It will allow her to take out her son Jai who is severely limited in what he can do, but is able to enjoy being outside in the countryside. The other day a few of us went to see the bike, and one of our Lions, Speedy "Pedals" Seager wasted no time road testing it. Evidence attached.
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The fair will be on similar lines as previous years, but enlhanced in a number of ways.
In addition to trades & charities, a new class of stall is being introduced - for artisans who produce goods for direct sale to the public.
Full details of the Fair, including entertainments and other attractions, are being finalised and will be published here.
Booking forms for stalls will be available early in January. They will be sent automatically to those who have taken part in previous years, but if the address or person responsible has changed since then, please let us know.
Any other potential stallholder is invited to get details from:
Lion Chris Gillings, 5 Gaisford Chase, Worton, Devizes SN10 5RX, telephone 01380 725503.
Email: chris.gillings1945@gmail.com
Charity Golf Day at North Wilts Golf Club
8th May 2019
Devizes Lions and Devizes Rotary's joint Charity Golf Day held on the 8th May 2019 raised £3736 after costs, to benefit Dorothy House Hospice Care.
To find out more visit our Charity Golf Day web page
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For more details of the event visit our Golf Day page |
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On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April 2019 Devizes Lions held their popular Sports Coaching Weekend where children in school year groups 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are invited to try one of 22 different sports that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Tuition was all provided by qualified coaches. We offered three new activities in 2019: Visit our Sports Coaching page for details
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The Swimathon at Devizes Leisure Centre on Saturday 2nd March went very well and raised at least £3677.00 which will benefit the many organisations that took part. The total mileage swum was nearly 50 miles! Many thanks to Cllr Judy Rose (Mayor Elect) (right) who started the event off with very loud whistle. A BIG WELL DONE to all of you that participated and very special thanks to all that sponsored them. |
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Can your Fund Raising Team swim for an hour? Devizes Lions annual Swimathon will take place on Saturday 02 March 2019 between 4pm and 10pm at Devizes Leisure Centre Pool. The Lions Club provide all the administration and forms for you to raise money for your own charity, organisation or group and claim any possible Gift Aid. Teams of 4 to 8 swimmers may enter, with only one swimmer in the water at any time. |
Download your own copy of the poster here: |
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Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal.
Devizes Lions collected £470 at Morrison's on Thursday 28 February 2019 for the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal. Here are two of us in our silly hats helping this wonderful cause.
Charity Concert
featuring the Ynysowen Male Voice Choir
Saturday 16th February 2019
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Ynysowen Male Choir was formed in the wake of the Aberfan disaster as a way of saying thank you to the world for the support it had shown Aberfan in its darkest hour through song. This 30 strong choir has performed at various venues across the UK and abroad, from churches to village halls, concert halls to marquees they have sung for small crowds and thousands of people. The event is supported by performers from local schools. The event, promoted by Devizes Lions raised £2000 to support the Devizes Opportunity Centre who provide a world of opportunities for children with special needs and their families through high quality Early Years Education, therapeutic care and ongoing support.
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Click here to download the poster:
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Seasonal Events in the run-up to Christmas
Other past events
You can find out about many of the other events that Devizes Lions has organised by visiting our Club Projects Page: Club Projects
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Please support Devizes Lions |
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