Historic first at Malton and Norton Lions Club as Di Keal becomes president

Di, long-serving member of Ryedale Council, and of Norton Town Council, said the induction ceremony is usually held at a formal dinner organised by the club, part of the international charity organisation, but it had to be abandoned as result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: “It’s a real pity we could not have the annual hand-over dinner but I am delighted to become the first woman president, and it is splendid that the vice president is also a woman. We’re hoping to have a belated celebration at a later date.

“My father was a long-term member of the Lions and I will be varying out the role in his memory.

“As a child we moved around a lot with his work, but wherever he went, my dad joined the local Lions Club.

She takes over from another ‘first’ in the club, out-going president Jack Wilford who was its youngest member to hold the position at just 29.

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