Almost 50 Years of Bourne Lions
In 2025, Bourne Lions celebrated 50 years of serving the community of Bourne and beyond. You probably knew Bourne Lions best for their Santa sleigh, which travels around the area in December, fundraising and bringing smiles to local children’s faces.
However this is not all they do!
Since its formation in 1974, Bourne and District Lions agreed to make helping local people and organisations its priority, and this principle is still being upheld today! With the club’s moto: “We Serve” in mind, members work timelessly to enhance the lives of the elderly and vulnerable of Bourne and the surrounding area.
The club, guided by the Lions Club of Spalding received its Charter on April 21st 1975 and is part of Lions Clubs International - the world’s largest service organisation.
Over the years many exciting fundraising events have been held, the Lions Pantomime being one of the first. Since then the club has performed to thousands of people, on occasions with standing room only! Other fantastic events include: Old Time Music Hall, boxing matches, casino evenings,seafood suppers,carboot sales, charity golf days, a sponsored cycle ride to London and much more! Not forgetting of course, Santa’s annual visit with his sleigh, to switch on the Christmas lights, which for many years were erected by the club along with the Christmas tree in the town centre.
The Little Blue Lions Bus which was built in 1978 and is decked out in the Delaine Bus Company Livery, used to visit fayre’s and fetes, giving rides and delighting a new generation of children. This has now since been retired and given to the Delaine Bus Museum.
The club takes great pride in having helped so many vulnerable people in need of a helping hand over the years but in order to continue more volunteers are needed to hop on board.
Anyone with a passion for their community can become a Lion, male, female, young and old - the only requirement is that you can offer some of your spare time to help others.
Past Presidents
Passed On Into Higher Service
Lion Paul Crosby joined Bourne Lions in 1980 and held several positions within the club over the years. In 2017 he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship, for his work with lions, which was presented to him at Charter Night with his family attending the event.
A quiet caring man who was devoted to his family and the community and can only be described as an Officer and a Gentleman. Paul was always on hand to help out, passing on his skills and knowledge to those that needed his help and advice.
He was the Clubs Lion Tamer, organising and looking after the club’s property. making sure it was available for any event.
Paul became ill in the preceding months before passing into higher service on the 11th November 2018. A man who will be sorely missed but not forgotten by his family, friends and others that knew him.
Photo: Bench at the Well Head Memorial Gardens, Bourne, erected in memory of Paul, facing Bourne Abbey Church where he worshipped regularly,