Businesses club together to serve the community

The Business Circle of Chicago commenced on June 7, 1917.

The initial 12 men named the new group Association of Lions Clubs and proposed that a national convention should be held in Dallas Texas within the year.

These organisations soon grew in size and number to such an extent that, by 1927, there were 60,000 members in 1,183 clubs around the world.

The organisation is now known as The International Association of Lions Clubs, although for many it is simply known as Lions Club International.

The organisation arrived in Europe in 1948.

The organisation is known worldwide and members are recognised by their emblem, in its distinctive colours of purple and gold.

This is worn on the lapel and consists of the letter 'L' in gold on a circular purple field. Their motto is simple '“ We serve '“ and their slogan is Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety (LIONS).

The first club in this country was formed in London in 1950 and its expansion was due largely to the late Queen Mother.

During and after the second world war, she had heard of gifts coming into the country from Lions Clubs in America. She then sent one of her representatives to the US to gain more information on this organisation.

Today, there are about 1.5 million members in more than 180 countries worldwide.

Within the British Isles there are over 900 clubs with 20,000 members.

The Lions International is considered to be the largest social service club in the world.

When the club formed in Bognor Regis in 1965, they organised a wide range of events to raise money for various causes.

Initially they met above Osborne's Restaurant in the High Street, today the site of Gamley's.

They then moved to Street Court club, followed in 1978 by a move to the Grosvenor Restaurant in Nyewood Lane. Next was a move to the Inglenook until, in 1983, they moved to the Royal Norfolk Hotel where they have been ever since.

As with many of these organisations, the club comprises a small group of people who assist with raising quite large sums of money.

For example, many people are aware of the Rowland Rank Centre on the Aldwick Road, opposite the Martletts Pub. Some will have been to events in the hall. I personally have held a number of fundraising talks there.

In 1982, John Rank approached the Bognor Regis Lions Club stating his desire that the old barn and farmyard on Aldwick Road be converted into a community centre.

The site was left over after the sale of most of the original farmland, which was used for development of the area now known as Aldwick Felds.

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It was named in honour of his late father, Rowland Rank '“ the brother of the more widely known J Arthur Rank '“ and it was requested that as much of the old buildings as possible be retained.

The Lions Club agreed and took on their largest project to date, as they had to raise 250,000 to carry out this conversion.

Initially, West Sussex County Council Social Services expressed an interest in having a block booking for a drop-in centre for the elderly.

St John Ambulance was also at that time looking for new headquarters and, with these two possible block bookings, fundraising was well in hand to allow designers and builders to commence.

The centre opened in December 1988, but the official opening was on January 11, 1989, when Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk, performed the opening ceremony, with Mr Rank and other family members.

The trust that was established was granted a 99-year lease on the premises, and the rent has to be paid at 11am on July 11, every three years.

The payment is a specimen white gardenia; the date is the time and date of the death of Rowland Rank.

The late Mr Rank was fond of the farm of which the centre is now the last visual remind-er in the area where he was well known for the horses he bred there before the second world war.

Since the centre opened, it has played host to many groups and organisations as well as a number of parties and wedding receptions.

While discreet, it is also a pleasant and quiet venue for many events and is used by the Lions Club for fundraising activities, for which they are more generally known.

The results of their endeavours are often seen around the district, without much thought given to the benefactors.

For instance, in the early years of their operation they bought several vans for the WRVS Meals on Wheels service.

As a result of their work, money has been given to organisations such as St Wilfrid's Hospice, Macmillan Nurses, Snowdrop Trust, medical equipment for the Bognor War Memorial Hospital and other such groups and individuals.

In addition money raised has helped Scouts, Guides, WRVS, Sea Cadets and Sammy Community Transport, as well as many smaller organisations who assist disabled people.

It is estimated that the Lions Club has raised in excess of 1m, due to the generosity of the people of the Bognor Regis district.

They organised the town Carnival since 1968. In 1970 the first of their sponsored dips was held on New Year's Day and this event still continues today raising funds for much-needed causes.

For 13 years, the Birdman rally was also organised by the Lions.

Another of the activities encouraged internationally, is the exchange of friendship between clubs around the world.

In 1978, clubs in the South East of England and others in Germany communicated in an endeavour to establish a twinning association.

By 1981, it was formalised that the Lions Clubs in Marburg, Germany, and here in Bognor Regis would be twinned.

Each year there is a visit '“ alternate years in Bognor Regis and Marburg '“ when people renew friendships and take part in a golf competition.

The items mentioned here are only the tip of the iceberg of the annual activities of the Bognor Regis Lions Club, which this year is celebrating 40 years of service to the community.

From all that I have mentioned, one could assume that the Lions Club in Bognor Regis is a large organisation.

This is not true. Their membership is quite low and until recently has been a men-only organisation, but now they also have female members.

If you have the time and interest, they would be pleased to hear from you and I suggest you visit their website on www. bognorlions.co.uk to see the range of their activities and contact numbers for you to join their club.

They claim that they are the best kept secret in Bognor Regis. You would be made most welcome.