Lions have plenty of pride at stake with Legoland

CHRISTINE MCKAY | Friday, February 3, 2012 8:54

BETTER BUILD: Alan Holmes had great fun with Sasha Kent, 2, (left), Preston Teller, 4, Alan Holmes and Olivia Augustine, 4, at the First years Preschool when he went there to find out more about Lego bricks. PHOTO/CHRISTINE McKAY DAN012386

Dannevirke Lions are determined their 50th anniversary year will be a roaring success.

President Alan Holmes said the club was bucking the trend of dwindling numbers, with a resurgence of interest from people wanting to serve the community.

"We've got new Lions, left, right and centre, with a membership of 40 now and still growing," he said.

"I've been fortunate to have a half--dozen new members in the past few months, along with some who have transferred from Wellington."

But with an expanding membership, Mr Holmes has had to find projects for idle hands.

"I've got to come up with more community-orientated work for members now, - projects to keep them all busy - to make sure no one gets bored."

Already Mr Holmes and his fellow Lions are busy planning for their second-ever Zone 3 Youth Talent Quest.

"This year, we've got seven Lions clubs throughout the zone keen to help with this project," Mr Holmes said.

"I think everyone saw how successful the inaugural event was last year." Norsewood and Dannevirke clubs will combine their resources, with Lions club members from Woodville, Pahiatua, Tararua, Takapau and Waipawa all on board.

After elimination rounds, the final of the talent quest will be held on May 19 in the Dannevirke Town Hall.

With the Dannevirke club's ever-expanding membership, Mr Holmes has decided it's time to really build on success by creating Dannevirke's own Legoland.

"I contacted the president of the Lions Club in Billund, Denmark, who put me on to Lego executive Eric Maugein and I've floated the idea of a Legoland in our Scandinavian neck of the woods," Mr Holmes said.

"After all, they've got them in Europe, the UK and the US, so why not here where we've got such strong Scandinavian connections?

"You know Lego is the biggest construction company in the world and also makes more tyres than all the world's manufacturers, so I think they'd make a great partner for our Fantasy Cave.

"Perhaps they could buy the building the cave occupies."

While he works on his plans, Mr Holmes has been in touch with Lego's New Zealand chief executive, Hugh Campbell, to organise a Lego building competition.

"The competition will be open to everyone and, appropriately, entrants will be asked to build Lego lions and submit a photograph," he said.

"Dannevirke Lions members will then select the 12 best, give them a barrow load of Lego bricks at the Town Hall and let them go for it.

"We could be on to a real winner."