Conference got off to a good start on Friday afternoon with people meeting old friends and new and generally having a good chat, whilst relaxing in the hotel lounge.
Friday evening was a great success with good old-fashioned sausage & mash - What could have been better after what was for some a long journey?
The best was yet to come however as our guest for the evening was the Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe MP. An excellent speaker who entertained everybody with her fascinating stories of life in and out of Parliament - we could have listened to her for hours. The books she brought along were a complete sell-out and Ann kindly donated all profits to the Lionesses.
Bright and early Saturday morning we were all ready to start the business of the weekend. Our opening ceremony began with the East Peckham Boys Brigade performing the flag ceremony,
followed by the official opening of Conference by Councillor Barbara Cobbold, Mayor of Tunbridge Wells. We were all delighted by the arrival of PID Lion and Honorary Lioness Phil Nathan.
His support of Lionesses is of great importance to us all. We were also pleased to welcome our last 5 Multiple District Lioness Chairman (Lioness Marjorie Gill, Lioness Angela Howard, Lion Lesley Reid, Lioness Jeanne Morgan & Lion Jacqui Blake).
The day saw a good mix of speakers, business and workshops with the first speakers being from the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre; a self-funded registered Charity established by a group of cancer patients and their presentation was both inspirational and enthusiastic about the help they are able to give to those with cancer and their families.
Following lunch it was time to get down to the serious business of nominations and resolutions. There was some interesting debate and all the resolutions were carried. The nomination for Lioness Phyllis King of Paddock Wood to take over as MD Chairman for 2008 – 2010 was agreed, as was the nomination for Lioness Pam Kyte of Sleaford to be her deputy.
The third nomination for Lioness Amanda Cale of Dursley to
take on the position of MD Treasurer was also carried - Congratulations to them
all.
Two workshops were held in the afternoon (Public Relations and
Vulnerable Persons) where delegates were able to participate in full, and we
were delighted that the Multiple District Vulnerable Persons Officer, Lion
Brigid Hendy was able to join us to run the Vulnerable Persons workshop.
Everyone came away with a wealth of Knowledge and I know we are keen to
hear more from Lion Brigid at a future Conference.
Our Guest Speaker for the afternoon was Maggie Stredder, an ex Vernon Girl. Known as “The Girl with the Glasses” she is a real “show biz” personality and despite having just got over a nasty cold, she proved to us all that she can still reach those high notes.
(Maggie kept us all enthralled with her stories of the “Six Five Special” and other programmes from television that made her and her group famous. Listening to her was quite nostalgic for many of us, particularly when she had us all singing the old advert jingles from the 60’s and 70’s – and we all knew them!
Saturday evening’s banquet was most enjoyable with plenty of good food and wine, excellent company and lots of dancing.
Most of us were “awake” on Sunday morning, particularly when our MD Lioness Chairman Dorothy had us jigging about to a highland reel before commencing the business of the day.
The first speaker was from the Alzheimer’s Society and Lioness Chairman Dorothy was pleased to be able to present cheques for over £2,400.00 to this worthwhile cause. After listening to the presentation I think we will all be watching countdown and doing crosswords or Sudoku puzzles to keep our brains trained which can help to keep Alzheimer’s at bay.
Our final talk of the day was from Derek Patey of Tonbridge Fire and Rescue Service; Another extremely interesting speaker – but then most ladies like a man in uniform! Derek even brought a spare uniform which Past District Governor Lion David Clark modelled for all to see.
The bid for Conference 2009 was approved and we are pleased to
announce that this will take place at the Ramada Hotel, Grantham, Lincolnshire
from 20th – 22nd February 2009 and as Sleaford is the
nearest Lioness Club, Pam Kyte (Deputy MD Lioness Chairman Elect) agreed to act
as Conference Chairman and the Club have kindly agreed to help with the
organisation of Conference.
Conference finally closed in the traditional manner with the
singing of “
