Page 77 - Phonebox Magazine December 2009

Brooklands Club Choir, Newport Pagnell, September 1964
The Old Brooklands Club seen 22nd March 2009 Photo: MC Barratt
Brooklands seen from Ouse Bank Gardens, 24th March 2009. Photo: MC Barratt
The begining of Building work being carried out on 26th June 2009 Photo: MC Barratt
The Building work seen from Ouse Bank Street. 24th Sept 2009. Photo: MC Barratt
Phonebox Magazine 77
events.
The club also has two specially equipped coaches used for transporting members who are less mobile, manned by volunteers who also use their own cars when needed.
The members therefore enjoy summer outings, holidays, theatre visits, and Christmas lunches.
Also, in past years, a meeting was held involving Mr Marsh from Social Services, Col Payne, Mr Arthur Leary, Gladys Cook and Sister Jean Harris. Consequently a day centre was then set up. A facility for frail or housebound people allowing them the opportunity of a hot dinner and a day out. This now takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays.
On Tuesdays the club has been successful with entertainment for the members.
Fridays sees the club opened for Alzheimers sufferers and their carers.
The Club is also setting up links with the Medical Centre and Health Visitors.
We still need help
The Brooklands Club now requires assistance still needing to raise more funds. Any money that can be raised locally in support of our elderly residents and their club, where they can interact and meet socially, enabling them to enjoy the many facilities such as a dinner club.
It can be very lonely living alone for those who have no family around them. Even if this is not the case for most, it is always nice for members to meet up with old friends. Thefore any help from whatever source would be of great value.
The Club is now in a new stage of
development and is asking for help in its present situation.
Fund raising by any individuals or organisations would be greatly appreciated by the Brooklands staff who give their time freely. A fine example being Mrs Joan Rose who has helped at the club for last 28 years and all of the other valued helpers including Sheila Wiles Chair of Trustees.
The Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions significantly give their support.
The Cheque was handed over to Sandra Dorrill (Centre Manager) from John Ferris the Lions President, accompanied by Rod Wayland, Chairman, who both live in Olney.
The Lions, in their good work, would also like to encourage like minded people to help and support their splendid efforts in systematically raising money and giving support in the local community. Look out for their street collections enabling the Lions to carry out their beneficial work, as well as their International efforts in helping the less fortunate world wide.
The Lions History:
The organisation was founded on June 17th 1917 by Melvin Jones who rallied together with business men and associates to give the name “Association of Lions Clubs”.
The Lions Clubs today consists of international networks of men and women who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities across the world.
LCIF (Lions Club International Foundation) have been working, for example, in the Philippines in response to the Typhoon Ketsana that ravaged the area; again in Samoa after the Tsunami; also in Indonesia following the terrifying earthquake.
LCIF and the Lions partnership has brought clean water to more than 120 villages in Mali alone. Dirty water contributes to the death of 10 per cent of babies not reaching their first birthday and 20 per cent not reaching the age of five. Dirty water alone causes three million deaths a year. It’s a relatively easy problem to solve with the right organisation. The problem is overcome by digging wells where needed.
The Lions are always on the lookout for new members young and old who could contribute to their organisation, perhaps wishing to concentrate on local issues.
If you have a few hours to spare and good organisational skills, or can give up some of your spare time assisting in the general running of the Lions, then the Lions would be very pleased to hear from you. See the Website: Newport Pagnell & Olney Lions Club.
To conclude:
The Brooklands staff and members gave the President and Chairman enthusiastic applause and a much appreciated heartfelt thanks to the Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions, in their wonderful gift to the club.
Maurice Barratt.