THE PAST President of Otley Lions has cast his eye back over 'a great year'.

Gareth Dibble handed over the chain office to his successor, Judy Pears, at the club's recent annual barbecue.

Speaking at the event, he spoke about some of the highlights of his 12 months in charge - which began with an announcement that his President's Project would be the Friends of Otley Lido.

The club has donated £5,000 to the group to support its bid to bring an outdoor pool - based at the old lido site in Wharfemeadows Park - back to the town.

Mr Dibble said: "Throughout the year the club continued to support some very worthy causes nationally and internationally, but have great pride in being there to help support the community of Otley.

"Locally, we were proud to support projects such as Weston Lane Juniors with new goal posts; financial support and a day trip for Otley Blind Club; Otley Athletics Club (juniors) with funds to purchase new equipment; and to provide funding for a defibrillator in neighbouring Askwith.

"We also continued to support the Town Mayor's chosen charities.

"The club would like to thank everyone who supported us throughout the past 12 months and enabled us to donate £17,760 in total to some truly great people and projects."

This year also marked the centennial celebrations of Lions Clubs International, which Otley Lions celebrated by organising a free Otley Brass Band concert in the town.

The club also contributed towards the 'cans across the Humber Bridge' world record attempt, but its biggest project for the centenary was the creation of a Lions flower bed in Wharfemeadows Park.

Mr Dibble said: "The flower bed not only marks the Centennial of Lions but it is also a thank you to the community for all of the support they have given our club for many years.

"The flower bed bridges the changeover in club presidents, as new President Judy Pears prepares not only for the second half of the Centennial year but also her year in office, for which the club wishes her every success."