Summer Spectacular 2017

Here we archive our largest events in recent years. Archived not because they are old, but because they were magnificent and we treasure all those that attended, helped, came as guests or supported and sponsored these events.  The Farnham Lions Summer Spectacular was a truly fantastic American themed afternoon and evening. 

It took place on Saturday 8th July 2017 at a private location in Churt, Nr Farnham, Surrey, commencing at 5pm and closing at midnight. The event was held to celebrate the 50 years of Service in our community as The Lions Club of Farnham, and the Centennial of the formation of Lions as an organisation in Chicago, USA - hence the American theme. This period gave us a rich period of culture to draw our inspiration for this event, and it sufficed to say that for all of the guests who joined us; "Prohibition stopped here"! The ‘Summer Spectacular’ was held in support of four local youth based charities. ‘Challengers, 40 Degreez, the Ridgeway School and Frensham Pond Sailability. The event was attended by six hundred and ninety guests, many of whom arrived resplendently dressed in the styles of the 1920’s.   On a warm summer evening the guests were greeted with a glass of bubbly, courtesy of Wright’s Lion Brewery, and had the opportunity to view the wonderful motor museum exhibits before dinner during which they were entertained by internationally renowned singing group Urban Blue.  More music and dance followed including two very energetic and superbly choreographed dance sets entitled The Jazz Age and The Golden Age wonderfully performed by professional West End cabaret dancers.  A little later, and to the surprise and delight of the guests, Rachel Palmer and her team from The Dance Movement performed an energetic Charleston routine. Then, even more of a surprise a number of Farnham Lions, ably supported and trained by Rachel Palmer, took to the stage with their version. James Knight of Bonhams kindly gave of his time and conducted a very successful auction that featured many ‘exclusive items’ and was very well supported as were the Silent Auctions and Raffle. And then as darkness fell, under clear skies and the gaze of the full moon, the guests were first treated to the sight of members of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Freefall Parachute team making a great descent and exciting entrance and then a truly spectacular fireworks display.  Andrew Lodge, this year’s President of the Lions Club of Farnham offered his thanks to all guests for their support, to the organising committee and fellow Lions for their contribution and had the pleasure of being presented with a gift by Dietrich Tripp and Thorsten Sponholz, members of the Frankenberg Lions Club twinned with Farnham, who had flown in to support the event. The Rt Hon. Virginia Bottomley rounded off the formalities of the evening with a very well received speech including kind words about the contribution that the ‘Lions’ have made to Farnham during the last 50 years. More music and dancing followed before carriages home thus bringing to an end almost two years of planning and the relief and joy of knowing that it had been a great success and all worthwhile. It was only possible due to the sponsorship of Robert & Tanya Lewis, Andrew Lodge Estate Agents, Riverprint, Jigsaw Events, Wise & Co and The Farnham Herald.