THE CLUB IN 2011/2012

The current membership stands at 59 and meets twice per month, a business and dinner meeting, in addition to both the wide a varied programme of service, fund raising and social activities. These range from running one of the largest horse shows in the county, a nationally recognized triathlon and the town carnival to Christmas barrel organ collections, a fun day for the disabled, quiz nights and numerous other events.

The 2011/2012 President of Tonbridge Lions club is Lion Allan Mort ( pictured below with his wife Jackie). He took over the Presidency at the annual Changeover dinner on the 25th June 2011.

Allan was born in Newport, Gwent and became a teacher working at Hugh Christie Technology College in Tonbridge for 35 years. He retired from teaching in 2009 but continues to work as a work experience consultant and external moderator of Travel and Tourism for OCR Examination Board.

Allan has been married to Jackie for 36 years and they have three daughters Victoria, Nicola and Suzanne.

Allan has lived in Tonbridge for 30 years and is a very keen sportsman. He had a distinguished rugby career playing for Devon, Kent, Richmond, Blackheath and Maidstone in the 1970/80’s. He has completed the London Marathon 9 times and he has raised thousands of pounds for local and national charities.

On becoming President Allan is honoured and privileged to lead such a great club and he and Jackie are looking forward to his presidential year.

 

2010 LION PRESIDENT WITH NATALIE SEYMORE, England and GB Hockey International after her speaking to the club at a recent meeting.

 Board of Directors 2011/2012                                    

President	Lion Allan Mort
Secretary	Lion Ken Thomas
Treasurer	Lion Steve Harvey
Greeter	Lion Mike Edwards
First Vice President	Lion Mike Stout
Second Vice President	Lion Keith Bourne
Third Vice President	Lion Neal Charlesworth
Minutes Secretary	Lion John Chapman
Director (1 year)	Lion Pete Davis
Director (2 year)	Lion Richard Hill
Activities Chairman	Lion James Lark
OTHER CLUB OFFICERS
Tail Twister	Lion Dave Musgrave
Lion Tamer	Lion Dixon Hawkins
Activities Secretary	Lion Bob Maddison

 

THE EARLY DAYS

The summer of 1949 saw the beginnings of Tonbridge Lions Club.

 

During the 1939/45 war a Tonbridge hairdresser CWH Addy was often in touch with servicemen from the United States and Canada. He heard many stories about the Lions and the aims and objectives of Lions Clubs, and decided he would try to organize a club in Tonbridge.

 

In 1947 he wrote to the headquarters office of Lions International for advice and as a consequence was able to advise that office in 1949 that he was in contact with enough interested men in Tonbridge to form a Lions Club.

 

The official formation of Tonbridge Lions Club followed on the 9th February 1950, though it had been operating as a club for some months prior to that date.