DISTRICT 105D

Working Together For Those We Serve

"Conservation of the Bee Family" is the main project to be supported through the MD thgis year. The idea is to address the problem of the alarming decline in Bee numbers (across the species). One of the main problems for bees is the dwindling sources of suitable food flowers and 'mono crop' cultivation which flowers for a limited time, which, when flowering is over, leaves the bees without a viable food source. The increasing use of Silage for animal feed also plays a part in the reduction of available flower food sources. The bee family are essential to the pollination of many of our food producing crops. 

How can we help? The sowing and planting of Bee friendly flowers, both wild and cultivated, will significantly assist in this problem. The "traditional hay meadows" were once a very good source. Such a project could involve Club members direct by approaching Farmers, schools, and other Establishments with gardens, Municipal gardens as well as including them in their own gardens.   Yateley and District Lions have given out small packets of bee friendly flower seeds at their events.  Zone 2C Clubs are supporting a scheme at Larkrise Community Farm.  The aim is to establish an apiary based teaching unit "The Lions Apiary" with up to 8 bee hives to teach students the basics of bee husbandry, hive inspection and hive maintenance, honey collection, extraction and purification.  The apiary once established should be self supporting with an estimated production of 200-300 lbs of honey each year valued at £800-£1,200.  Students will be able to watch the beekeeper from an outbuilding but suits and equipment will be made available to those who want to get more closely involved.  The cost of hives ranges from £215 to £300 for one effectively ready for bees.
Other suspected reasons for the decline in bee populations are certain insecticides and herbicides and this is at present being actively researched to come up with a solution, as is a virus which is suspected of killing off both Bees and their Pupae, again this is being actively researched. Information will be forthcoming at a later date from the MD Environmental Officer.

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ENERGY CONSUMPTION/CLIMATE CHANGE

We can all do our bit towards this and can encourage others to reduce their "carbon footprint".

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COMPETITIONS

There are now 2 competitions under the heading of Environmental Projects.  Cabinet agreed in June 2013 to remove The 3 R's Competition as it has never been contested.  Cabinet in July 2014 agreed to discontinue the Helen Deakin "Make the World a Better Place" as it had been poorly supported and its aims could be met by the Revised Leo Plumley Award and/or The International Photographic Competition (Peter Allen Trophy)

 MD Photographic Competition

Lions Clubs International ceased running the competition in 2017 but we are now running the competition within the Multi District.

As the name applies this  is eventually a MD Competition held each year but initially it is a District Competition.  The winner of that competition goes forward to the MD Competition.  Historically, the take up of this competition has been very poor.  Why?  There are many Lions who take photos so why not enter the competition?  You never know you could win! 

This year I am running the competition with MDHQ.   The competition is also open to LEOS.

I am happy to have as many photos as clubs wish to submit.  I will arrange for judging at the District level and if there are more than 5 entries The Peter Allen Trophy will be awarded.  The entries must be either black and white or colour prints.  

The photos  must be taken within  the British Isles and preferably within 105D.

Photos from outside the MD will be disqualified.

The size of the photo to be 5” X 7” (13 x 18 cms) and must not contain people.

There will be a District winner in each category and it is from these winners that the outright District winner will be selected. The winning category winners will be sent to MDHQ for final judging.

The categories for 2019-20 are:

1. Plants

2. Animals

3. Weather phenomenon

4. Other aspects of nature including landscape 

The photos will need the name of the photographer, their cluand the category that is being entered.  This can be written on the back of the photo.

Entries must reach me by  Monday 7th January 2018 so that the winner can be forwarded to MDHQ by January 19th 2019  for the Council of Governors to judge them at their January meeting.  All entries to the MD Competition MUST come via me and any sent directly to MD will be returned to the sender.  My address is 88a, Franklin Avenue, Tadley, Hampshire RG26 4EU.

Lions Environmental Poster Competition

 Please see above

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DISCONTINUED COMPETITIONS 

Make the World a Better Place

In 2009 The District Cabinet gave permission for an Environment Competition to complement the existing Photographic Contest.  However very little interest has been shown by clubs and the 105D Cabinet in July 2014 decided that the competition should be discontinued.   The decision was also made because it was felt that the aims could be met by the International Photographic Competition and/or the revised Leo Plumley Award.

The Helen Deakin Award was introduced to commemorate the life of Miss Helen Deakin.Helen lived in Stubbington, Hampshire.  She trained as a Nurse and then as a Teacher before offering herself to the Church as a Missionary.  She was rejected. So she became a "self appointed" missionary in our village where she dedicated her life and possessions to "Making the World a Better Place". That included getting up at 4 or 5 in the morning, every morning, to ensure that the village was clean and tidy and an environment to be proud of.  In 2002 she was created a "Citizen of Honour".

The 3R's Environmental Project

This competition was discontinued by Cabinet  in June 2013 as there had never been any entries.

The competition was devised and introduced by the District Youth Committee.  The competition was based on either of these three elements : RECYCLE......RE-USE......REDUCE It was hoped that youth groups would be encouraged to undertake environmental projects.The project chosen by the club could be any of the above with the guiding principle that it should be within the capability of the age group chosen.

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CLEAN UP CAMPAIGNS

This is what a lot of Lions associate with the environment campaign and it is indeed an important part of the programme.  No one likes to see rubbish scattered about their local town or village.  Education is what is needed to remove this bugbear but in the mean time we can help clear up.  Loddon Valley Lions have helped their local community by helping to pick up rubbish once a year.  Not only is this good for the community but it brings Lions to the forefront of the community.

For more information go to the LCI Website and click on Our Work and then Community and Environmental Programs

Probably the most effective campaign to become part of is the BIG TIDY UP organised by the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign. Register with them and they will provide all the tabards and litter sacks, etc., for an event in your area. Give it a try and let people know about Lions getting involved in protecting and improving our environment.

In Environmental and Community Activities little things do mean a lot because, by working together, we can have a positive effect on our environment and communities.
With thanks to my predecessor Lion Reg Norton for providing some of the material

Judith Goodchild 105D GLOBAL SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR 2018-2019