In 1779 the World Famous Bridge in the centre of Ironbridge was built by Abraham Darby III. He made history as this was the first bridge ever to be built of iron.

200 years later Lions Clubs International granted Ironbridge & Severn Gorge Lions their Charter.

The Lions in Ironbridge have a long and loving relationship with the bridge (they use it for a regular fund raiser). In this Olympic year they have joined forces with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (Educational Charitable Trust no 503717-R) and will act as tourist guides at the Iron Bridge Tollhouse whist carrying out their “Silver over the Bridge” fundraiser throughout the summer months.

In recognition of this ALL Lions Members of MD105 are offered a unique Olympic year discount of 20.12% at all of Ironbridge’s 10 museum sites.

To get your discount just e-mail Ironbridge and Severn Gorge Lions on Ironbridgelions2009@hotmail.co.uk with mailing details and a voucher will be sent to you in the post.

For more information what the museums have to offer go to www.ironbridge.org.uk

Fellow Lions to Down load or Read your MD Convention  Book for Convention 2012

Click on the link below to obtain your convention book their are four Parts due to the Size of the file

 Convention Book

http://www.lions.org.uk/joomla/index.php/health-projects/st-dunstans-have-become-blind-veterans-uk

Many Lions across the British Isles & Ireland enjoyed the opportunity to meet and hear their International President Dr Win-Kun Tam who arrived in London on Friday 9^th March 2012 and stayed with us until Wednesday 14^th March.

He started his tour over in 105I where he met the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins the following day he spent time at Maynooth Kilcock Lions Club to see the Sheltered Housing Project where he planted a tree as part of his campaign of tree planting throughout the world. Club Presidents and Zone Chair’s had the opportunity the meet Win-Kun Tam before he launched the Tullamore Lions Club Intel Youth Innovation project. After visiting Armagh Lions Clubs in Northern Ireland Dr Win-Kun Tam paid a visit to Lisanally Special School  and St Patrick’s Cathedral and again he planted a tree.

On Monday 12^th March he paid a visit to Lions Headquarters in Birmingham and then went on to have lunch with Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club to the delight of the Lions in 105M this was followed by a trip to the National Memorial Arboretum within 105BS to see the Lions Shelter that was opened in 2011. Dr Win-Kun Tam then planted his third tree near the Lions Shelter.

On Monday evening Club Presidents and many other Lions from across the British Isles & Ireland met with the International President at a “President meets the President” evening at the Yew Lodge Hotel in Kegworth within 105E.

Tuesday morning started in 105D where our International President visited the home of our Patron Her Royal Highness Sophie Countess of Wessex and continued with his tree planting mission by planting a Japanese Larch in the gardens of Bagshot Park. He then moved onto 105SE and met with PDG Lion David Saunders who has been a member of Lions Clubs for 60 years and was a serving Governor in 1958-59. The day finished in 105A with a very successful visit to the Houses of Parliament for UN day where we were delighted to be joined by our Patron. Dr Tam ended his visit by being hosted at London Chinatown for a Chinese banquet which was attended by over 150 Lions.

Lions Club International I P Wing Kun Tam’s Visit to the N M A Alrewas & Kegworth U K

Lions Club International President Dr Tam planting tree. 12th March 2012

Lion President and my Fellow Lions

St Dunstan’s have become Blind Veterans UK

St Dunstan’s have a new name and new look that give a clear message about who they are and what they do -

http://www.blindveterans.org.uk/about-us/st-dunstans-is-now-blind-veterans-uk/

Almost 100 years on since they were founded in 1915 growing numbers of ex Service men and women still need their help, including sadly a number of younger Service personnel from the recent and ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Blind Veterans UK will deliver the same high quality care and the new name will make it much easier for those veterans who need their services to become aware of the existence of the only organisation specifically committed to improving their quality of life. The increase in beneficiaries means that there is an urgent need for more people to understand – and support – their life-changing work. This is another reason for the name change, it clearly describes what they do, who they help and why they need more people to support the blind veterans that rely on them.

They have thought long and hard about what they are all about, spoken with their me mbers, staff, supporters and potential supporters and did months of research into what makes them special – and the new identity captures this perfectly. Not enough people are aware of them and there are many other organisations called St Dunstan’s, including churches, schools, colleges, therapists and dentists – there is a need for them to stand out -  so they have updated their whole brand in order that their purpose is clear, simple to understand and easy to remember.

LCI MD 105’s Partnership with Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstan’s) continues unaltered and we shall work together to alleviate the challenges facing our ex Service men and women with sight related difficulties – some of whom may well be our own Club members or their family members/friends – so please make all your fellow Lions aware of this change of name and the continuing potential of Blind Veterans UK to ensure that there is “Life beyond sight loss”

Yours In Lionism

PDG Lion Evan Wm Jones

LCI Liaison Contact for the LCI-Blind Veterans UK Partnership (formally LCI-St Dunstan’s Partnership)