Lions Zoom in to Welcome New President

On Sunday, the official handover to the incoming President, Simon Edwards, took place in a rather surreal environment. In his garden, with just five fellow Lions and a live Zoom stream to other Members and Friends of Bexhill Lions.

Observing social distancing and hygiene guidelines the ceremony was introduced by Lion David Burstow.

Simon placed his Vice President’s Chain of Office on a table which was then taken and worn by incoming Vice President, Richard Winrow.

Lion President Andrea Etheridge then said how proud she was to have been President and that it was a great privilege to have represented her fantastic Lions Club. Andrea added “To all Members thank you for all your help and support. You are what makes Bexhill Lions Club such a great Club. And Friends of Bexhill Lions – thank you also for your continuing support. There have been times when we would have struggled to put on an event without your help. I know it’s not the Oscars or the Emmys, but I would like to thank my production team. I’ve an absolutely fantastic backing group and I’d like to say a humongous thank you to you all. To Rick, George, David Burstow and Richard. Everybody has been a tremendous help and I will now hand over the Chain of Office to Simon by placing it on the table.”

Simon said ” I would like to thank Andrea for being a first-class President over the past 15 months and I have a hard act to follow. It is a really proud moment for me, having been a Lion for just over 4 years. Pam and I saw the Lions in action at an event on the lawns. We didn’t know much about what they did. When we had a better idea, we decided that we wanted to join, make new friends with a great bunch of likeminded people and have fun, whilst doing our bit for the local community. During the coming year I want to re-launch Bexhill Lions and how we support the local community and also to have a membership drive for new blood to help us move forward following these difficult times.”

Lion David Butler OBE, incoming 2^nd Vice President, then stepped forward and presented Andrea with a Past President’s badge. He added ” You have shown strong leadership and involved all members of the Club in helping serve the Bexhill Community. You have kept Members engaged during lockdown, enabling the Club to continue its work. Finally, on behalf of all the Members of the Club I would like to present you with this photo montage that reflects your year in office, well done.”

The ceremony ended with a toast to; Bexhill Lions Club, Friends of Bexhill Lions, Simon and Pam.

For more information on membership or the activities of Bexhill Lions, please call the Club Secretary on 0345 833 9591