With effect from 1st July, Biggin Hill & Westerham Lions Club has a new President. At a Barbeque, to mark the change Malcolm Lowing handed over to John Scott, 62, a retired civil servent, from Melody Road, Biggin Hill.

Malcolm spoke of the achievements of the Club over the last year.

The Club has supported local charities such as South East London Breast Cancer Trust, the Maypole Project, Biggin Hill Community Care Association, Harris Hospice Care Westerham Royal British Legion & Noahs Ark Childrens Hospice. The Club has also supported two local girl guides' attendence at an international camp in Switzerland.

The Club has also contributed to national Lions projects including Lions International Blood Research Appeal (LIBRA), MedicAlert, Special Olympics and a project to raise £100,000 for St Dunstan’s (the only organisation specifically committed to the rehabilitation of Servicemen, both current and past, who have been blinded in combat or whose sight has deteriorated over time).

The Club made a donation of £400 to Prostate Action in memory of one of its Founder Members, Sid Heywood, who died earlier in the year.

As part of the largest community service organization in the world the Club also contributed to International Lions Appeals for the Pakistan and Australian Floods. Whilst our Clubs contribution is small, when combined with donations from other Clubs all over the world it can make a big difference. As there are Lions Clubs in the effected areas we can be confident that the monies are put to good use with not a single penny deducted for administration. The Club is currently running it's annual shoebox appeal for Belarus. Further information and details of suggested (and prohibited) items can be found at bigginlions.2ya.com. Donations can be taken to Big Yellow Self Storage at Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington or Eltham.

Malcolm said that a growing membership is crucial if the Club is to expand its work in the local community. The Club welcomes Members of both sexes and of any age. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Club can visit www.bigginlions.2ya.com or phone Malcolm Lowing on 01959 576628.

Malcolm's final duty of the year was to award the Lion of the Year Award. Malcolm awarded this to Neil Walker his enthusiastic participation in all of the Clubs fundraising, social, and community service activities together with his work as Treasurer.