Haywards Heath Lions Club and Lyon Ouest Lions Club

In 1970, on the eve of 9th May, an inauguration ceremony took place at the Chateau St Bernard to celebrate the twinning between Haywards Heath Lions Club and Lyon Ouest Lions Club. The inaugural document was signed by Fred Barrett and Pierre Coulongnoy, presidents of both clubs.

The Twinning was initiated by Lion Mike Kendall, who was the British Consul in Lyon, 1968/71. The 30th anniversary of twinning between the two clubs was celebrated in millennium year, 2000, with Lion Roger Stevens as President signing the anniversary documents.

This year, 2010, will see the 40th anniversary of twinning between the two clubs. A great friendship has built up over the years with many Lions from both clubs seeing each others children grow up to become Lions themselves.

Twinning has become and important event, which many look forward too and which will continue to see new friendships develop between the two clubs.

Social Activities

HHLC and Lyon Ouest have met every year since 1970, with delegations from both clubs taking it in turns to visit each other every other year. In some years, there may be two visits as each club invites members from the others club to attend their Charter Dinner.

In 2007, Lyon Ouest paid two visits to Haywards Heath, once for the Charter Lunch, held at Barnsgate Manor and where Lion Bruno Bourbon and Lion Albert ? and their respective partners were our guests and secondly for the "annual" trip in October, where seven Lyon Lions and their respective partners came to Haywards Heath, via TGV and Eurotunnel, for the weekend.

On this occasion they were treated to a tour of Brighton Pavilion, lunch at Lewes, which enabled our guests to watch the Ditchling Morris Dancers performing outside the lunch venue, and the celebratory dinner held at The Birch Hotel. Sunday saw an informal lunch at Lion David and Janice Thomas' house where the Lyon Lions then left for Lyon from Haywards Heath station.

In 2008, HH Lions went to Lyon for the Lyon Ouest charter dinner where we were treated to a trip to Vienne and the amazing roman ruins by the river.

This year, HHLC will travel to Lyon in March to celebrate the signing of the inaugral document and in October of this year, Lyon Ouest will return to Haywards Heath for a reciprocal arrangement.