West Norwich Lions History
Brief history OF West Norwich Lions
West Norwich Lions (CIO)
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1211900
We transitioned from a Charity Trust to become a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation), Registered Number 1211900, effective July 1st, 2025.
What does this mean to our donations? A simple answer is that nothing; we are still working under the Charity regulations.
In summary, trustees are generally not personally financially liable for the debts or obligations of the trust, provided they act in accordance with their duties, within the scope of their powers, and in good faith. This legal protection is fundamental to the operation and viability of trusts as a legal structure. However, trustees should remain vigilant: the shield of limited liability can be lost through misconduct, breach of duty, or carelessness. For those considering acting as a trustee, a clear understanding of these principles and careful compliance with legal and fiduciary responsibilities are essential.
Wymondham Lions contacted both Keith Teasdale, a member of the Stalham Lions living in Bowthorpe, and Adrian Lemmon, a member of City of Norwich Lions.
After a period of time, a small meeting was held, during which the requirements and procedures for starting a new club were explained.
To start with, we could not collect in our own right, and everything had to go through the Lions Club of Wymondham, which acted as our treasurer and overseers.
The first project we undertook was running a stall at the Police Gala day at Earlham High School in September 1987. The same month, we started minuted meetings at the Kings Head, Bawburgh.
The same year, we did our first Christmas collection.
We finally formed as a Lions club in our own right on 29th March 1988, this had taken longer than expected due to the number we required to form a club which was 20 members.
The one Founder member still actively involved with the club is Barry Sheldrake.
Our first president was Adrian Lemmon, but this changes each Lion year, which runs from 1st July to 30th June.
Our first female president, Jane Steggles, was appointed in 2009-10.
Our policy, of course, is that membership is open to all.
We raise money for various charity organisations throughout the year by hosting events in and around the Bowthorpe and New Costessey areas. Static collections, which are well-supported by Store management and the public alike, are outside shops in and around Bowthorpe and New Costessey.
Our big project is the Christmas collections at various stores and shopping areas in our district.
We raise in excess of £5,000 most years.
In 2013-14 we gained a charitable status charity number - 1154145.
We now meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights at 7.00pm at Clover Hill
VBowthorpe,
INTERESTED? Please come along and meet us, or contact our secretary Patricia Moore on 07686 724266 for more details.
Lions International History
Lions International was founded by Melvin Jones almost 100 years ago in 1917. Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879, in Fort Thomas, Arizona, the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Melvin Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois, became associated with an insurance firm, and in 1913 formed his own agency.
He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen's luncheon group, and was soon elected secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting the financial interests of their membership. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans.
"What if these men," he asked, "who are successful because of their drive, intelligence, and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities ?" Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men's clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organisation, and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born.
Melvin Jones eventually abandoned his insurance agency to devote himself full-time to Lions International. It was under his dynamic leadership that Lions Clubs earned the prestige necessary to attract like-minded members, each passionate about serving their local community.
Melvin Jones, the man whose personal code – "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else" – became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over, died June 1, 1961, at 82 years of age.
The Lions International logo
The original Lions International logo was a more elaborate design.
The royal colours of purple and gold were selected as the official colours when the association was organised in 1917. Purple stands for loyalty to friends and for integrity of mind and heart. Gold symbolises sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgment, purity in life, and generosity in mind, heart, and purse to those in need. In summary, trustees are generally not personally financially liable for the debts or obligations of the trust, provided they act in accordance with their duties, within the scope of their powers, and in good faith. This legal protection is fundamental to the operation and viability of trusts as a legal structure. However, trustees should remain vigilant: the shield of limited liability can be lost through misconduct, breach of duty, or carelessness. For those considering acting as a trustee, a clear understanding of these principles and careful compliance with legal and fiduciary responsibilities are essential.
The current Lion emblem is designed to be more suited to a variety of media (print, web, etc.) and today, Lions throughout the world are recognised by it.
The logo consists of a gold letter "L" on a circular blue field. Bordering this is a circular gold area with two Lion profiles facing away from the centre. The word "Lions" appears at the top, and "International" at the bottom. The Lions face both past and future - showing pride in heritage and confidence in the future.
