The Weston-super-Mare Lions are a branch of the Lions Clubs International, established in 1917. A charity organisation that is committed to providing care in the community through service and fundraising.
Weston-super-Mare Carnival 2025
Weston-super-Mare Carnival – Important Information
This year’s Carnival will be more exciting than ever, but there will be some changes to how the event is managed.
Safety First – “Martyn’s Law”
We are putting into practice the principles of Martyn’s Law, which means:
Cars will not have direct access to crowds.
Some access points to the Carnival route will be blocked.
Designated pedestrian “Gates” will allow safe entry, while still preventing traffic.
Your safety is our top priority, so although Martyn’s Law has not yet been passed in Parliament, we believe it’s right to adopt it now. Please be patient if entry through the gates takes a little longer – it’s all for your protection.
Supporting the Carnival
At the gates, you’ll see our donation collectors. We kindly ask everyone to give what they can:
In the past, the Council helped fund the Carnival, but due to budget cuts, it is now organised entirely by the Weston-super-Mare Lions.
Costs have risen to around £60,000 each year. Last year, we unfortunately made a £10,000 loss, which isn’t sustainable.
Your donations help us cover the bills, support local charities, and – most importantly – keep the Carnival running for future years.
Please consider dropping a few pounds into the collection buckets, or use one of the card readers if you’d like to make a larger donation. Every contribution helps.
Thank You
We hope you enjoy this year’s Carnival, that the weather stays kind, and that together we can keep this fantastic community tradition alive.
Contact W-s-M Lions
Please only use this form for general questions. For support requests (either personal or organisational), scroll down to ‘Support Request’ and go from there.
What the Lions Do
🦁 Life as a Weston-super-Mare Lion
Each Lion takes part in the activities they feel comfortable with. Our members range from people in their 20s to those in their 80s, and everyone finds a role that suits them — whether it’s securing sponsors, helping with events, or even building obstacles for the Mud Master OCR. Nobody is ever forced to do anything, and we enjoy a warm, supportive relationship with one another.
🍽 Monthly Social
On the first Monday of each month (with a few exceptions), we meet for a meal together, which is covered by our subscriptions. It’s a great chance to relax, catch up, and enjoy each other’s company.
📊 Monthly Business Meeting
On the third Monday of each month, we hold a business meeting. Here we:
Plan upcoming events and decide how to staff them.
Review recent activities and discuss costs.
Share updates on fundraising — what’s been raised and how the money will be distributed.
💛 100% for Charity
Every penny of profit from our events goes directly to charity. Lions take nothing for themselves — we cover our own meals, travel, and expenses so that all funds raised can make the biggest impact possible.
Upcoming Weston-super-Mare Lions Events
Throughout the year, the Lions hold many events involving a few to many people. When the Weston-super-Mare Lions cannot utilise enough people from within the club we recruit personnel from other charities.
To see what events we are booked for at the moment please click on the calendar below
Calendar
The Lions
Below is a list of items where you can see the various things the Lions do and where you can request support, casinos. race nights, help with marshalling and anything else .
Click on the headings to expand the section.
Support Request
This page is where you can request support from the Weston-super-Mare Lions as an individual or as an Organisation. All requests are passed on to the Welfare Committee and judged by them to be viable or not before going before the club to recommend or not. With this in mind, the more information to give us will help to make the best informed decision
Please be aware that you have to live in the area to allow us to support you
Organisation Support Request
Individual Support Request
Members Only Access
This page is for Weston-super-Mare Lions only. You will need a username and password to log in. If you are a member and have login details, please click the Lions Logo below
Charity Status
Weston-super-Mare Lions Club is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
number 1182704.
This project was set up in 2012 by Weston-super-Mare Lions Club and the Weston Mercury. Its mission is to provide financial support to organisations and individuals which promote activity in people under the age of 18. When GoKidsGo was last able to proceed in 2019, 21 grants were awarded, from 58 applications. Grants ranged from £200 to £1,800.
Our mission is to make a positive change to the lives of children and young people in this area. We need to ensure all the projects we fund help us to achieve this. Your application will be judged by a panel drawn from our sponsors. Please read these guidelines to ensure a grant from Go Kids Go! is appropriate for your needs.
We will only consider giving grants under the following terms and conditions:
- Your organisation and project must be based within postcodes BS22, 23, 24, 25 or 29.
- You must be a registered club, charity or other not-for-profit organisation, set up to encourage activity in children.
Applications fall under two categories:
- Sport
- Other
(Theatre or drama groups, music groups, scouts and girl guiding groups, youth clubs, gardening clubs community clubs or other organisations which promote activity and social interaction in children.)
Our focus is firmly on children and young people. We will examine grant applications from organisations that encourage young people to get involved in sporting, cultural and community activities, where additional funds will improve the facilities for those taking part.
Examples of grants which have been successful are:
- New training equipment.
- Kit, tools, shirts, balls, bats etc.
- Playground equipment.
We will not consider grants for:
- Relief of statutory responsibility.
- Applications from local government (except school associated) or NHS bodies.
- The promotion of religion.
- Medical treatment/research.
- Bursaries, sponsored places, fees or equivalent.
- General appeals or endowment funds.
Deficit funding or repayment of loans.
To apply for funding please click on the image below
Questions and Answers
Yes, everyone over the age of 18, no matter what creed or colour you can join if you are over 18.
Fill in the form by clicking on the link below and a member of the Lions will contact you directly
There isn’t a joining fee but a monthly fee of £7 for those on lower incomes or £34 for all others is payable monthly.
The extra £27 covers the cost of the meals and those paying £7 can pay extra to join in with the meal if they desire.
Any meals that a Lion doesn’t attend gets the money back for that specific meal at the end of the year.
We hope that all members have an active role in most activities but there is no pressure to do any events that aren’t suitable