It was thanks to the support of the Canadian Lions – and the intervention of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, that the first Lions Club in London was founded.

Canadian Lions had provided invaluable support for children orphaned in the Second World War. To thank them, the then Queen sent her equerry Colonel Edward Wyndham (later Lord Leconfield) to Canada. He was so impressed that Windsor (Ontario) Lions Club agreed to sponsor the first London club, with Lord Leconfield as its founding Charter President.

The first Lions Club in England, Lions Club London Host, was chartered on 29 December 1949. The Lions Club in England (London) was formed on 1st March 1950 and was quickly followed by clubs in Tonbridge and Brighton. Glasgow was the first Lions Club in Scotland, formed in 1953, the Dublin Club was the first in Ireland being founded in 1955. A full 8 years later in 1963 the first Welsh club – Wrexham was formed.

Membership at London Host has varied from about 120 to 30 especially with growth of many Clubs (over 30) in and around London.  Due to falling membership London Host Lions Club and London Central Lions Club decided to merge on 27 June 2016 to be renamed LONDON CENTRAL HOST Lion Club.

We currently have a healthy membership of forty four. Membership is very diverse; age ranges from 20 to eighty, professionals from all walks of life, nationalities Sri Lanka to England (India, Africa, Turkey, Italy, Eastern Europe and many more).

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