Much has changed at City of Wells Lions who celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their Charter with a dinner at the Burcott Inn. 

Women were not invited to join Lions until 1987. But now their president and longest serving member are both female – Mary Ellis and Tessa Munt MP.

The Wells Lions are few in number but prolific in their voluntary work that includes the annual Moat Boat Race, the Tree of Life on which local people can place a light each Christmas in memory of a loved one, recycling old mobile phones and arranging free prostate tests.

Guests included Lions District Governor Kevin Moore and his wife Catherine and Deputy Mayor of Wells, Louis Agabani. 

Kevin presented President Mary with a certificate of celebration and recognition for the club's 50 years. 

In her toast to the guests Mary shared some snippets from the archives and told how they are pleased to have welcomed some new members.