History of Lions
- Lions is a service organisation with about 1.4 million world wide in 44,000 clubs.Lions Clubs began as the dream of a young Chicago insurance man Melvin Jones, who wondered why local business clubs could not expand their horizons from purely business concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Jones' idea struck a chord within his own group, the Business Circle of Chicago, and they authorised him to explore his concept with similar organisations from around the United States. His efforts resulted in an organisational meeting on June 7, 1917 and the establishment of The International Association of Lions Clubs in October 1917.
- Lions stands for: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety and was officially adopted in 1919. The Lion was chosen as the emblem for the organisation because the Lion symbolised courage, strength, fidelity and vital action. The emblem shows the Lion's head facing in two directions. One head is looking to our past and the other is looking to the future. This emblem was adopted in 1920.
- Lions in the UK. During the Second World War the Queen Mother, then Queen Elizabeth, was Patron of "Waifs and Strays", (later "The Church of England Children's Society"), and received £80,000 from the Lions of Ontario to use on behalf of the children who suffered in the London "Blitz". The Society looked after the evacuation of the children. After the war the President of the Church of England Children's Society, Colonel Edward Wyndham, visited Toronto to thank the Lions Clubs of Canada. He met Bruce Malcolm (Lions International Staff Representative) and was persuaded to visit Lions International Headquarters in Chicago. He was moved by the spirit of Lionism and when he returned to London Bruce Malcolm came with him. They contacted business men in London, many of whom were Canadian ex-servicemen who had married and settled in the UK. Some of them had been associated with the original gifts, and between them they formed the London Lions Club with 70 members on 29th December 1949. There are now 17,000 members in the UK and Ireland spread over about 900 clubs.
- Lions set up a club in Ilminster in May 1976. There are currently 24 members, 6 women and 18 men, ranging in age from those in their 20s to 80s, providing a wide range of expertise and experience to help the local community.
- Lions motto is "We Serve" and all club members get involved in projects where we have been able to help, either individuals or local organisations that need some support. Working with a group of like-minded individuals who enjoy what they are doing can give a great buzz...
- Lions Fund Raising. We have a number of successful events over the year - The Easter egg draw, Bric-a-Brac stalls, Summer Fete/Dog Show, Ilminster Victorian Evening, Teddy Bear Stalls and South Petherton Christmas Bazaar. Other innovations have been Fashion Shows, Antiques valuation, Jazz nights and Rock and Roll evenings. Club Members and partners run these events to minimising our costs. We really do get fantastic support from local communities.
- Lions Community Service. Internationally, Lions is recognised for service to the blind and visually impaired. In 1926 Lions was challenged by Helen Keller to become "knights of the crusade against darkness" Over the years this has become a major activity involving almost every club. At a more local level our community service work can vary from small donations to help an individual buy a piece of equipment to help improve their quality of life, or a set of football shirts for a local junior football team, through to something more major like the Message in a Bottle or Message in A Wallet schemes or collecting several thousand used spectacles which go to Chichester Lions Club for sorting and grading then on to countries overseas where they can change peoples' lives. We also provide help with car parking and admission at events such as Taunton Flower Show and at Barrington Court (National Trust).
- Lions Ilminster Club Members live across the district, which covers an area of approximately 35 square miles in rural South Somerset. With Ilminster at its centre the district extends as far as South Petherton, Kingsbury Episcopi, Curry Rivel, Fivehead, Buckland St. Mary and around to Chard.
- Lions membership is by invitation. Usually a member will invite a potential member to come along to our meetings and to some of our social events. The whole thing takes about two to three months before a decision can be made.
We Serve
Pride in our Community
