MANCHESTER MURMURS October 2021

FEILDING MANCHESTER LIONS CLUB

Manchester Murmurs

November/December 2021

P.O. Box 451, Feilding STRENGTHEN FOR THE FUTURE
Club established 1977
President: Phil Brady Secretary: Steve Poole

Even our Visitors are Smiling – Ash and Brian from Rongotea

Meetings: Held 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month
Venue: Stockman Restaurant, Denbigh Hotel, Feilding. 6pm
Apologies: RSVP Monday 7.30pm to Maurice Newth email: [email protected]

LIONS BOARD MEMBERS Phil Brady
Steve Poole
President Lynn Southee
Secretary Andy Aston
Treasurer Grant Pennycook
Immediate Past President
1st Vice President Jason Bowles
Warren Nicholls
Directors Steve Cowie
Chris McLaughlin
Membership Ross Fairless
Programmes Clinton Antis
Projects Arjen Spekking
Youth Health & Welfare Bob Monds
Speedway John Dougherty & Ross Fairless
Almoner Warwick Horton
Publicity John Collis
Bulletin John Jamieson
Tailtwisters Chris McLaughlin
Lion Tamer Maurice Newth
Barrel Train Co-Ordinator Grant Pennycook
Candy Floss Co-Ordinator Geoff Lovegrove
Spirit of Adventure
Communications
TGIF
Coffee Mornings

Lions Committees 2021

Programmes Membership/Community
Warren Nicholls (Director) Jason Bowles (Director)
Bob Monds Geoff Lovegrove
Ross Fairless Arjen Spekking
Warwick Horton Peter Doyle
Ron Peters Allan Muntz
George Bleakley John Dougherty
Andrew Williams Maurice Newth

Projects Youth, Health & Welfare
Steve Cowie (Director) Chris McLaughlin (Director)
John Collis Grant Pennycook
John Jamieson Andy Aston
Wayne Ellery George Hitchman
Pat Sheridan Alan Carter
Nigel Brown Clinton Antis
George Keenan Graham Christensen

Finance Maurice Watt
Phil Brady, Steve Poole, Lynn Southee

“Stayed in a posh hotel with towels so thick I could barely close my suitcase.”

Presidents Report

President’s Ramblings.

Hi one and all. Bob has just reminded me that I am
late again getting this report to him. Sorry. We are
coming to the end of the calendar year which has
been far from plain sailing due to Covid. While
there has not been the regular opportunity we would normally have to gather funds for
the Club, we are fortunate some of those opportunities are now arising which will require
all of us to support with our time and talents. Stockcars are now underway and
opportunities for the Barrel train and Candy floss at Ashhurst and Rongotea as they have
their annual signature days, will be a welcome relief. Unfortunately for us our annual
signature event, the Christmas parade, did not eventuate again due to covid restrictions.
The Health Caravan is due for some outings in the near future and one of those outings is
planned to be a community one in early March at a Friday Market Day. I cannot stress
enough the need for all of us to be prepared to put our time into supporting the events
that are landing on our plate to boost our funds such as the mini golf. We are a strong
club, one that we can be proud of and one that I have the privilege of leading. I would like
to extend my thanks to you all for the support you are giving me in trying to steer the Club
through the covid minefield and hope that the new year will bring some stability for the
courses we wish to take next year as a Club. With the end of the year fast approaching,
lets hope we take the opportunity to relax and refresh as we are in for a busy couple of
months to start the new year if our schedule of events is anything to go by. As the next
bulletin will be in January. I would like to wish you and your families the very best of
wishes For Christmas and the New Year, stay safe and look after yourselves.

Cheers,
President Phil

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COMMITTEE REPORTS

PROGRAMMES

• New Year – Car rally ending at the ????????, if your any good we will see you there
• A visit to Feilding Steam Rail was suggested.
• A speaker from Camp Quality is prepared to speak to the Club

MEMBERSHIP
This is an on-going Club Project, please keep your eyes and ears open for potential new Lions
Members.

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I got myself a Seniors’ GPS. Not only does it tell how to get to
my destination, it tells me why I wanted to go there

PROJECTS
• A BBQ is planned for when Wayne’s World Playground is officially opened with Candy
Floss and the Barrel Train there.
• The Barrel Train will be heading out to Rongotea Lions for the Waitangi Day event.
• The Annual Feilding Manchester Lions Christmas Parade has been cancelled for this year
due to the uncertainty of the COVID situation, Feilding Promotions are planning something
on a smaller scale.
• We have received permission from Darraghs Mitre 10 and Bunnings to run a BBQ at their
shops as a fund raiser for the Club.
• A big thank you to those Club Members who participated in the Keep Feilding Beautiful
Roadside clean up.

YOUTH, HEALTH & WELFARE
• Spirit of Adventure - Funding is being sort to send a second candidate on the Spirit, Grant
has visited FAHS to get the selection process underway, we will definitely send one with
the hope of sending a second candidate on a life changing experience.

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PUBLICITY
Arjen presented a project list that will increase our visibility in the community. Here they are

o BBQ at New World/Bunnings
o Help out with dog walking
o Farmer’s Market – Lions info, flyers and banners, BBQ or perhaps Candy Floss in

school holidays?
o Adopt a Grandad
o Rest-home visiting
o Drive to appointments
o Gardening at schools – help with veggie gardens.

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Signature Club Project Ideas

The time has come to think of some other major project that can put us on the Community Events
map, we have our Christmas Parade maybe its time to get another hardy annual up and running.
Rongotea Lions have their Waitangi Gala Day, Ashhurst/Pohangina Lions their Small Holders
Auction – what can we do?

When Bob Crampton was in the Manchester Lions he and I spent considerable time and effort
planning a fishing Expo. We had a number of players interested but could not quite get it over
the line. Fishing is still one of the most popular pastimes in the country, even in this landlocked
area of the Motu. I think it is worth looking at again.

The other idea is for a Boy’s Toys day . This could be DIY, Woodwork, Metalwork, Gardening,
Bikes, Boats, Cars, Utes. This could include the existing ideas of Tractors, Diggers and
Chainsaws and a fishing section if we want to go that far. The possibilities are endless.

Give it some thought

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SPEEDWAY SEASON

Speedway is underway, with
a good attendance on opening
night of Stock Cars, the
Roster has been altered to include an extra
person on the gates. Check the new Roster,

Car pool where you can and if you can’t make
it on your rostered night its up to you to find a
swap/replacement, there a few Members who
are willing to swap.

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Birthdays Wedding Anniversaries

December December
3rd - Karen Bowles 31st - Andy and Nola Aston
6th - Alison Fairless
12th - Locheen Howie
16th - Steve Cowie
18th - Grant Pennycook
23rd – Maurice Newth

And a very SPECIAL HAPPY Birthday to JJ celebrating his 80th birthday

“2020 – the year where surrounding yourself with positive people is negative”

Kowhai Lions Quiz Night

The President of Kowhai Lions
Club, Elizabeth Heath, to all the
Clubs and people who helped make
our Quiz a fun evening last Friday.
It was very rewarding to see
everyone joining in with
enthusiasm, enjoying some friendly
rivalry, and supporting other
teams.

The shield (which had been held by
Fitzherbert) was awarded this year
to Kairanga, who earned a score of
64 out of 90 points. Manchester
were close behind, with 63, Heartland 2 gained third place with 59, and Fitzherbert 58.

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Christmas Cakes - The SOLD-OUT sign has gone up. 20,000 Christmas
Cakes this year!!

Camp Quality

Sadly Camp Quality has made the decision to cancel the upcoming summer camp which was to be held in
Marton in January.

They have, however, come up with an alternative which will bring the spirit of camp to the doorstep of
every child who was registered to attend Summer Camp in 2022. Each box will be packed with toys,
games, puzzles, books, resources, and activities. Every child will receive their own special box and an
invitation to take part in a range of on-line activities. The aim is to generate the kinds of amazing
experiences and important outcomes from camp, but in a COVID-19 safe way.

Each box will cost approximately $250, however in line with Camp Quality philosophy will be provided
free to our Campers. Across the country, the aim is to provide 400 boxes so that no child misses out this
Summer. Across our Wellington and Central Districts, there are 81 children and young people to send a
box to. So far, thanks to the generosity of Lions Clubs in your District, there is already sufficient funding
for 65 boxes.

Is your club able to provide any financial assistance with this worthwhile cause?

Regards

Our Club, over the years has supported Camp Quality, Treasurer Lynn was directly involved in running the
Camp a few years back, a worthy cause for our children who have life threatening and terminal cancer.

2021 Christmas Parade – Well Nearly – here’s what we missed out on

May be next year - 2022

Manchester Lions Mini Golf Roster

Standard Hours 10.00am AM/PM Changeover 1.30pm Last Admit 4pm

Finally getting some opportunities to earn some revenue in this case the Feilding mini golf where Host have asked
us to cover two weeks as per the attached roster. Can you please reply to me what dates and time of day you will
be able to cover. Coverage of the golf has been a profitable exercise for us in the past so we need to give the roster
full coverage. If anyone needs help on the afternoon shift with the cash handling etc I am happy to be on call
(assuming I am well enough) and come down and help at the close of play. My phone number 2418103 – Steve P

Monday 17 January Morning Phil Brady

Afternoon

Tuesday 18th January Morning Alan Muntz

Afternoon

Wednesday 19th January Morning Maurice Watt

Afternoon

Thursday 20th January Morning

Afternoon

Friday 21st January Morning

Afternoon

*********************************

Monday 24th January Morning Phil Brady

Afternoon

Tuesday 25th January Morning Alan Muntz

Afternoon

Wednesday 26th January Morning Maurice Watt

Afternoon

Thursday 27th January Morning

Afternoon

Friday 28th January Morning

Afternoon

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My Mum told me the best time to ask my Dad for anything was
during sex. Not the best advice I’d ever been given. I burst in
through the bedroom door saying, “Can I have a new bike?”.
He was very upset. His Secretary was surprisingly nice about it.
I got the new bike.

I went to the doctor today, he said “what”s up?”
I said: I can’t stop my hand from shaking!
He said “Do you drink a lot?
I said No I spill most of it

TGIF Thank Grant its Friday

There was a good turnout of Members and their Partners at Murrays for the
November TGIF, the food was at its usual high standard and the room was
full of chatter throughout the evening.
December’s TGIF will be our Christmas Cheer, so make sure you all come
along and enjoy the occasion before we take our holiday break

Aye it was, it was, and with a nice cold beer, a Guinness and a nice glass of Wine to wash it
down with.

Next TGIF - 10th December 5:30 p.m. at Murray’s.

STOP PRESS

Updates from the Core Committee:

• The caravan is undergoing Warrant of Fitness checks and upgrade to the electrical
wiring so the van is certificated for public use.

• Ownership of the caravan has been passed from Global HQ to Feilding Manchester
Lions.

• Permanent storage for the caravan has been arranged courtesy of VDG Steve Barr.
• Signage, brochures and forms are on order.

Sponsorships:

• COVI has provided insurance cover for the caravan at 50% discount.
• Darraghs Mitre 10 Feilding have made their Gazebo available to the project.
• EBOS One hundred Accuchek test strips for $70 rather than the normal $500.
• DecodIT, an IT company in Palmerston North has donated a Lap Top worth $1,000.
• Sparex have discounted a generator by 50%.

Programme for the first quarter 2022:

• January 19th Rongotea BBQ – this will be our test run for the service and a training
opportunity for the Manchester and Feilding Host crew who will be staffing the
GLOB at Ashhurst and Rongotea.

• January 29th at the Ashhurst Small Holders Auction.
• Waitangi Day Sale at Rongotea
• March – Feilding Farmers Market for a community event.
• April 2nd – Kimbolton Sculpture Festival

As you can see the My Health Check project is gaining momentum and it is not showing any signs of
slacking off. This is just how the team want it to be and we hope that after reading this you will have
some questions for us and are able to come up with some events we can participate in with you.

Your main contact is Zone One Chairman Warren but any core group member would welcome your call.
The team consists of Zone Secretary Robert Heath, 1st VDG Steve Barr, 202D Treasurer Anne Russell,
District Almoner Ash Hazlitt, Manchester Lions President Phil Brady and Club Secretary Steve Poole.

Merry Christmas everyone – Cheers, Steve Poole.

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Meeting Protocol

It has been reported that many members have difficulty hearing what is going on. They ask their
neighbour “what did he say?” and the Meeting becomes unruly. The Board decided that we will
pursue a sound system and as a matter of Meeting etiquette. All speakers to speak from the
lectern. If members still have difficulty hearing they should say so and may wish to
relocate closer to the lectern. We don’t want anyone missing out on what is being said.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

We Serve