DATE: Thursday, April 17, 1997              TAG: 9704150149

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SAM MARTINETTE, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   84 lines

NORVIEW LIONS CLUB RECEIVES BIRTHDAY WISHES FROM BRITAIN THE WELL-WISHES WERE DELIVERED AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CHARTER NIGHT BANQUET.

When Gordon Parris, president of the Surrey Border Lions Club in Surrey Heath, England, got up to wish the Norview Lions Club a happy birthday during their 50th Anniversary Charter Night banquet , he brought well-wishes from a pair of prominent Britishers, Elizabeth R, the Queen Mother and Prime Minister John Majors.

``We were completely surprised,'' recalled George Byrd, a member of the Norview Lions Club who was there that night. ``None of us knew what was coming, and when he handed the letters to our president, Michael Leech, who read them to us, we were in awe that we had such nice letters from the royal family.''

The letter from the Queen Mother, written on Clarence House stationary, said, ``I was delighted to hear that the surrey Border Lions Club, which looks after the charitable needs of so many villages around my home in the Park at Windsor, is to visit Norview, Virginia on the occasion of their twin Lion's Club Fiftieth Anniversary. ``I offer Norview my warmest congratulations and I send to the members of both clubs my best wishes for the continuance of their dedicated work in the years ahead.''

From No. 10 Downing Street came a letter signed by John Major, the Prime Minister, saying, ``I am glad to have this opportunity to convey my congratulations on your club reaching its 50th birthday. It is always pleasing to learn of the development of excellent relationships between organisations, and I am sure the fact that some of the members of the Surrey Border Lions Club have been able to join you to celebrate this special occasion is greatly appreciated.''

The letters, along with a letter of congratulations from the Mayor of the Borough of Surrey Heath, were the handiwork of Gordon Parris, who came over with three other members of the English club. The Surrey club has been ``twinned'' with the Norview club since 1976. Members exchange visits, and a number of Norview teen-agers have gone to stay with English families over the years.

John Denney, a member of the Surrey Heath Lions Club, explained how it all came about.

``Our president at the moment happens to be the general manager of the biggest supermarket adjacent to Windsor,'' Denney said. ``And one of his customers is, of course, the Queen Mother.''

Before you picture the Queen Mother bustling down a supermarket isle behind a shopping cart full of vegetables and bread, consider that she has a number of stewards to shop for her.

``Because he knows the Mayor of Surrey Heath as well he was able to contact the Queen Mother's secretary, and was able to write to the prime minister, as well,'' Denney explained. ``But, I have seen Fergie shop there,'' he added.

The Surrey Heath Lions Club helps the nearby Windsor club stage an annual equestrian charity event at the Royal Park that is attended by some notables as well, Denney said.

``I was working at the event one Sunday when a blue Jaguar pulled up,'' he said, carefully pronouncing it Jag-u-ar. ``A woman nearby said, `My God, that's the Queen!' I walked over, took off my hat to her and said, `Good morning ma'am.'

`` `How's it going?' she asked, and we chatted a bit before she said she was off to have a gin and tonic with her mum,'' Denney said. ``They're perfectly human people, you see.''

The Norview Lions Club was organized on Feb. 17, 1947, and originally met in the Norview High School cafeteria. At the time, Norview's principal was Edwin W. Chittum, a charter member. Sponsored by the Ocean View Lions Club, the club now has 32 members, including some from Virginia Beach and Hampton. The club is active in eye and hearing conservation, as well as other Lions club philanthropies.

The English connection has broadened the horizons of the Norfolk Lions, members say.

``Having them come over has added tremendous enthusiasm to our club,'' said Sam Saunders, a member of the Norview club since 1965.

``They are so sociable, and so friendly,'' Byrd said, referring to the recent visit of the four English Lions. As for the letters, they ``have really created a very good feeling amongst all of our members. We really feel a part of our Lion friends across the water.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SAM MARTINETTE

John Denney, second from left, of the Surrey Border Lions Club of

Surrey, England, brought 50th birthday anniversary wishes from

Elizabeth R, the Queen Mother and British Prime Minister John Majors

to Bob Hailey, left, Sam Saunder, and George T. Byrd of the Norview

Lions.

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