Local Lions Meet the District Governor

James O’Loughlin from Ennis Lions, District Governor for the Ireland district paid a visit to local Lions clubs last week meeting Banbridge Lions on Thursday evening, Ballynahinch, Downpatrick and Newcastle Lions on Friday morning and Newry Lions on Friday evening. His meeting on Friday morning took place in Montalto café which was hosted by Ballynahinch Lions. After thanking everyone for attending he reflected on the outstanding service and many volunteer hours given by the clubs across our local area to their communities. He also thanked the many partners in the area who support the work of their local Lions. He presented chevrons of service for 10, 15, 25, 35 and 40 years and one amazing 50 year award to Lions club members

Downpatrick

Colin McKee (25 Year), Damien McKee (25 Year), Dr John Orr (50 Year), Seamus Mc Mullan (40 Year).

Ballynahinch

Alan Warwick Simms (10 Year), George Maguire (15 Year).

Newcastle 

Terry O'Reilly (35 Year), Marian McGreevy (10 Year), Peter May (40 Year)

In addition he presented Dan O’Reilly with a Certificate of Appreciation for all his work with recycling, the environment and the defibrillators in the Newcastle area.

 All present appreciated the visit by James and the chance for local clubs to get together and share ideas and friendship.

Newcastle Lions make donation to The Ark Community Garden

Newcastle Lions have made a presentation of £500 to the Ark in the town to assist them with repairs to their polytunnels which were severely damaged during Storm Eowyn. The Ark opened in 2015 to help men’s wellbeing through friendship, gardening and craft work. It now caters for women as well as men and each week the centre helps 60-70 adults. It. is financed by donations and by selling produce grown on site including vegetables and flowers. It is located adjacent to the Burrendale Hotel just off the Castlewellan Road and it is renowned for the lovely coffee and scones sold in its café which has great views of the mountains.    

The photo shows Newcastle lions president John McDonagh (with chain) presenting the cheque to Joanna McCaul with other Lions, Ark staff and volunteers looking on. 

Newcastle Lions presented Mourne Mountain Rescue

At their most recent meeting Newcastle Lions presented Mourne Mountain Rescue representative Martin McMullan with a cheque for £1,000 from the money raised during their Christmas fundraising efforts of collections at Eurospar, Barbican and Tesco as well as the raffles at the Burrendale Christmas dinner dances. Martin then gave the Lions a short talk on the history of the Rescue team’s efforts to have a new base in Newcastle. In 2012 50 years after the establishment of the team the decision was made to try and have a base of their own as they had always been “squatters” in other premises. This became really important when the premises they were in was condemned and they were moved to smaller premises which do not allow the full team to meet together never mind having room to dry out equipment after they return from a rescue. They were fortunate to link up with Lidl and a submission was made to Planning in 2019 for premises which were estimated to cost £650,000. They had raised £300,000 toward the cost of the building but due to there being issues at planning and due to COVID they lost 3 sets of funding which would have allowed completion. Hurdles have now been overcome but unfortunately costs have escalated to £1million.  The Group put out an appeal to the public which raised over £100,000 and this was added to the donations that they had gratefully received over the years of the project. Just before Christmas the group were notified that they had been given £1/2 million pounds from the Community Ownership Fund. With the contingencies built up this will allow the premises to be built without any debt and it is hoped to be ready in November/ December 2025 to allow the group to carry out their amazing work which has greatly increased due to the larger number of people visiting the Mournes. Martin thanked the Lions for their very generous cheque and in turn the Lions would like to thank the public who supported them very generously during their fundraising.