Social Activities
50th BIRTHDAY PARTY
Darlington Lions Club celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday 19th June 2011 at the Blackwell Grange Hotel with lovely tea party.
Special guest and speaker was Mike Amos from the Northern Echo who wrote a splendid article entitled 'Roar Meet' in last Thursdays column.Other guests included Larry Collins.Lions District Governor,Lions Zone Chairman, Fiona Doyle, and Deputy Major of Darlington, Paul Baldwin.
There was a pennant from the International Lions President and many former members were present including Les Fielding the oldest at 96 years.
Stephen Cowton former President of Zimbabwe Lions and his wife Mary were also present as they were on holiday in Shildon, where Stephen was brought up before he emigrated in 1962.
Photo - left to right front row, Larry Collins, Lions Dist Governor,John Biagioni, former Lion, Fiona Doyle, Lion Zone Chair, Richard Western Darlington Lion President , Pat DeMartino, Sandy Duncan and, Jean Pinnegar all Darlington Lions.
Annual Charter Night.
On 6th March 2010 the Lions Club held their annual Charter Night Dinner Dance at the Croft Hotel, near Darlington.
This was to celebrate the club's 48th birthday and was well attended by 80 revellers. An excellent meal was followed by a few short speeches then dancing to disco music provided by a local DJ.
The principal speakers on the night were:-
Lion President - John de Martino.
District Governor - Tony Campbell
Brian Bouttell - Finance Director of Yorkshire Cricket Club.
Lion President John & Guests
Lions enjoying the disco
Robert & Marsha Hillary
%20share%20a%20joke%20with%20John%20Mutum%20(%20Zone%20Chairman).jpg "Richard Western & Charklie Headon ( seated) share a joke with John Mutum ( Zone Chairman)")
Richard Western & Charlie Headon (seated) share a joke with John Mutum ( Zone Chairman )
HANDOVER MEETING & PRESENTATIONS.
July of every year sees the installation of new office bearers in the club. The photograph shows the 2008 - 09 president Denis Pinnegar handing over the presidential chain of office to John de Martino. This ceremony was held at Blackwell Grange Golf Club and it was also an opportunity to present long service awards to 15 of our members.
Outgoing President Denis Pinnegar presented badge chevrons to club members with service totalling over 400 years. Lion President Denis remarked this was an amazing number of year's service to the club and thanked all members for their dedication and hard work over this historic number of years. The recipients of the award are in the group photograph below.
Top Row L- R
John De Martino ( 10 years )
Dave Mawer ( 20 years )
Richard Western (20 years )
Denis Pinnegar ( 30 years )
Andy Leitch (20 years)
Sandy Duncan ( 10 years )
Jeff Kemp ( 25 years )
Geoff Heeley ( 25 years )
Bottom Row L - R
Fred Thompson ( 35 years)
Alan Watson ( 30 years )
Charlie Headon ( 10 years )
Dave Nicholson ( 35 years )
Tom Peacock ( 35 years )
Neil Anderson ( 25 years)
John Clulee ( 35 years )
Not in the photo but part of the group was Ian Barnes ( 35 years )
