New President for 2023/24

We recently held our traditional handover lunch where Peter Coleman was installed as the new President for 2023/24. During the handover, Peter received the Chain of Office from outgoing President Michael Snell at the Bat & Ball Pub. Peter thanked Michael for successfully guiding the Club for the previous 12 months. He gave special thanks for liaising with Lions Club International regarding essential distribution of the funding for international disasters.

Peter is a farmer and business owner who previously worked for many years at Brinsbury College on Stane Street. Here he specialised in machine operations and legislative training. 25 years ago he set up his own operation, Accredited Plant Training. He specialises in construction plant training and testing for industry, specifically for excavators, dumpers, rollers, tractors and telescopic handler forklifts.

30 Years of Service

Peter joined the Billingshurst Lions in March 1991, receiving his 30-Year Long Service Chevron at a previous handover in 2021. He was encouraged to join by Gerry Blakeborough, after learning about the great work the Club did fund-raising for local needs. He believes that it’s great to put something back into society and to help others. He also recognises the camaraderie involved and the friendship that he has found at social events.

Peter is no stranger to the role of President, having previously held the office in 2016/17. Needless to say, he has been the Club’s Health and Safety Officer for many years. Peter has been involved in many of the Club’s past ventures, especially storing and preparing Santa’s Sleigh at the farm. That is, until it sadly collapsed after 43 years’ service. It has since been replaced by the ‘Flying Bedstead’ bringing Christmas cheer each year to Billingshurst and the surrounding villages.

Looking forward to the coming year, President Peter said, “I am particularly delighted to be starting my second period in office during our 50th year since the Club was Chartered in 1974. I look forward to working with a great team of enthusiastic Lions and supporting the excellent work they all do for the benefit of the local community, bearing in mind that all Lions are volunteers.”