Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions Club
Minutes of Business Meeting held on 2nd September 2013 in the Two Brewers
Present: John Ferris (JF), Karen Thorpe-Morgan (KTM), Bob Benbow (BB), Geoff O’Brien
(GO’B), Martin Ward (MW), Bill Littler (BL), Rod Wayland (RW), Tony Higgs (TH), Russell de
Ville (RdV),
Apologies: Trevor Aldred (TA), Dave Simmons (DAS), Tina Byford (TB), Tony Triggle (TT),
Stephen Matthews (SM), Tom Hart (TH), Derek Seymour (DS),
Guests: The club welcomed Alice Church, who had come to discuss possibilities for a joint fund
raising event, and Richard Pearson, a guest of Geoffrey’s who was interested in learning more
about Lions.
Joint Fund Raising event. Alice outlined her plans for a bike ride through Cuba in May with the
intention of raising money for Breast, Ovarian and cervical cancer charities. After some
discussion around possible ways to support Alice, it was decided that, given the success of the
Bolywood event held last year in the Carlton House Club, we should consider a similar event with
a Cuban theme. Alice did most of the organising for the Bolywood event and was prepared to
take on the task of organising a similar event but with a Cuban theme. The Lions agreed to
support Alice in any ways they could. Help might include support in the planning process, support
on the night, provision of funding for entertainers, organisation of a raffle and prizes etc. It
was agreed that the club should form a sub group to help manage this ongoing support. AP TH
Minutes of last meeting & matters arising- The minutes were agreed and AP’s would be picked
up during the meeting.
Treasurers Report:
 Charity Account stands at £12032.95.
 Receipts this month included NP advanced stallholder fees £80.00, and Motorama
Sponsorships of £250.00,
 Expenditure: Nil.
 Donations: Disability Sports Scotland £50.00.
 Admin Account stands at £94.59 including income from subscriptions of £12.00 and
fines & Raffles £9.70.
Movement of Funds Summary. Trevor had produced these for the Charity and admin accounts
for the end of Lionistic Year to be discussed at the next meeting. Bob and Russell had spent
some time with Trevor auditing the accounts which were found to be accurate and well kept.
Service Committee
 Foodbank – We made a donation of £500 last August. Deferral of presentation to later
in the year. Discharge pending presentation.
 Women’s Refuge – Karen has talked to her contact there and discovered a number of
details about the operation including the number and size of the units and also the time
it takes for new residents to get their benefits through, which can be 3 – 4 weeks.
Hence they like the idea of the reception ‘kits’ and also talked about cleaning kits and
the provision of basic stuff for kids like pencils paper etc. They also discussed an idea
for the encoding of information. Other possibilities included a voucher for the
Snowdome. They would also welcome donations of old electronic games, ps2/3, X box,
Nintendo old mobile phones and SIM cards. They are going to produce a wish list for us
to work with. Karen will report back on progress at our next meeting. AP KTM ongoing.
 Alice Church request to sponsor bike ride across Cuba. – See above. AP TH ongoing.
Middle School Snack Bar. This project will go ahead but with the New Year 5 and 6
Groups in the September term. Discharge pending progress with School.
 Purchase of Defibrillator. We are adequately provided with these in both towns.
Discharged.
 Disability Snowsport Scotland – A donation of £50 has been made. Discharged.
 Newport Muster – It was agreed to support this as part of our policy to build
reationships with and between voluntary organisations in NP. Tony took a list of 5
possible volunteers willing to help out on Saturday 14th September.
 Presents for the elderly: It was agreed to authorise a budget of £1500.00
 Olney Fireworks: It was agreed to support this and seek volunteers from the group.
 Newport Football Club: Under investigation as a possible JV. AP TH
Service Policy Issues – Geoff had written an excellent article for MK Pulse which outlined the
work of the Lions and the amount of money we had raised and many of the recipient charities. It
also mentioned that we are here to help people locally and gave Geoff’s contact details for
people who were in need of help. John planned to mention this aspect in ‘The Lions Den’ in the
Phonebox.
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Fund Raising
 Calendars – There was some discussion regarding the current position. Martin had
produced a mock up of the calendar, but time was pressing, since calendars need to go on
sale in early October. Most things had been put in place by Martin and Dan and also with
the printers. Based on the clubs original agreement to take this forward, and despite
some reservations about the project, John and Bob agreed to approach as many
businesses as possible starting with the current sponsors so that we could get the
sponsors and strap lines on each page confirmed by the time Martin returns from
holiday. Based on the outcome of this, the club can then decide on whether we go for
500 @ £2.46 per unit or 300 @ £3.01 per unit. Prices include envelopes. Selling price is
expected to be £5 - £6 each.
 Motorama – The date for next years Motorama will be 8th June. Derek attended a
Traffic Planning meeting arising because the Local authority will cease supporting
aspects of road closure management. Derek to report back at the next meeting. Because
few people could make the September dates offered by Bob for the review meeting, Bob
will send out some possible dates to combine with a dinner and social evening in October.
Richard has links with the Historical Society in Newport Pagnell and offered to set up a
meeting between Bob and the Aston Martin Museum Trust MD. AP BB
Dickens – Dickens is now Full. A status report will be discussed next month.
 NP Craft Fayre – Geoff would e-mail out to seek support.
 Alban Hill Nurseries – Geoff has the wishing well in the boot of his car. “Well your
Honour, it was like this…….”.AP JF ongoing
 Can Shake – We are awaiting information from Stony Stratford Club.
 Master Chef & Whisky (without the e) to be held upstairs in The Bull on 18 th October
in the evening. The cost of £40 per ticket will include 6 courses and 6 whiskies. Costs
underwritten by Bull so we get £5 from each ticket. John to advertise event. AP JF
Social – see the social calendar on the web site for fuller details.
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Jazz Night – John to order 10 tickets for the October event.
Psychic Night – Tina to organise. AP TB
Sponsors Evening – We will consider an event early next year to reward our sponsors.
AP JF/BB
Xmas Meal – It was agreed that The Bull would be the venue but a round table upstairs
rather than the long table in the bar. AP DS
 Business meeting – Monday 7th October to be held in The Bull.
 Service Committee meeting – Friday 20th September 12.00 The Three Fyshes
 Motorama Review dinner TBA
 Newport Muster 14th September.
 Quiz Night Abbey Hill 10th October.
 Wine tasting Milton Keynes club 27th September £15 per head. No obligation to buy.
Membership –
 The club were sorry to hear about our Tina and her back problem and wished her a
speedy recovery.
 Tony has contacted Dave Simmons about re scheduling his 10 year long service award AP
TT ongoing.
 Lions Leaflets - Geoff and John to get together and produce a draft. AP JF/GOB
ongoing
Correspondence
 As distributed.
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AOB.
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Geoff raised the possibility of offering a different sort of Xmas present. Geoff will
explore what can be done with a £5 budget per parcel and report back to the next
meeting. AP GOB og
Karen mentioned a conversation she had with an 86 year old lady concerning her mobility.
To discuss at the Service Committee meeting.
Questions for future discussion:
o Should we be present at Cherry Fayre, and if so in what way?
o Should we make a wreath available for Armistice Day and take part? If so in
both Towns?
o Should we ‘Sponsor a roundabout?
 Geoff mentioned the Town Fayre organised by Stony Stratford and Wolverton.
Next meeting – 7th October - The Bull. .