Page 24 - Phonebox Magazine November 2014

The Lions’ Den
Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions Club
A tremendous year
Seems just like yesterday that we were down at the Rec managing the gate at the Olney Fireworks display run by The Olney Group and here we are, it’s that time again. Between now and the New Year is the busiest time of the year for the club with many events and activities taking place. First of these will be the Olney Fireworks display on 2nd November, which will see us looking after the main gate again and, hopefully, ensuring a rapid entrance to the fun with the minimum of queues. Remember, tickets are available in advance of the day from outlets in the town or from the Lions who will be selling them on the pathway leading to the main gate. When you approach the entrance, please use one of the two outside chutes if you have a ticket and the centre chute if you still need to pay. The more people holding tickets, the faster you will get in to the field.
Next is our Dickens of a Christmas craft fayre on 7th December, which will hopefully see our three sites at the Bull, Olney Centre and Carlton club packed with bargain hunters looking for unique Christmas presents. Setting up the sites, manning the doors and breaking things down at the end really does extend the club but, thanks to our Friends of Lions, we just about manage it.
We then move to Newport Pagnell on 16th December where A Last Minute Christmas Fair will be taking place at the United Reformed Church. This free entry event will bring crafts people to the town and is the finale of six events that we have run over the past year. It’s also possibly the last opportunity for you to get something special for Christmas.
We will also be selling Our Olney Calendar and the Newport Panell Town Calendar at most of these events. Just to make sure we fill in any spare time our members or friends may have.
Delivering good cheer to senior citizens
The final pre-Christmas event will see the entire club mobilising as we deliver some good cheer to senior citizens in the area. This is an annual event which sees us taking a small gift to those who we know (unfortunately there are many we don’t) are either living alone, rarely have visitors or have been suggested to us as needing a little good cheer at this festive time of the year.
We thoroughly enjoy meeting people on our rounds and passing a few minutes on the doorstep in an activity that demonstrates the true local impact of having a Lions club in the area.
Tanzanian Lions reveal “Moshi not a Monster”
Members of Milton Keynes Central Lions Club recently visited Tanzania, taking part in a sponsored climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. Whilst there, they came across a local school in the foothills of the mountain. Jitegemee Primary school in Moshi educates almost 900 local children, a third of which are either orphans or underprivileged. Parents or guardians are expected to pay the equivalent of 10 pence per week, but few can actually afford this sum. Many of the students rely on the school for their only daily meal which normally consists of Maize or Beans.
The MK Lions were so touched by the situation that they returned to the UK and immediately set about raising funds to supply students meals for a year.
All the Milton Keynes Lions clubs have been asked to make a contribution in an effort to raise around £1500. This will be administered by a local lady who has spent considerable funds already by providing facilities and managing the ‘extras’ that
we would consider basics. Happy with the controls that MK Lions have put in place, our club was only too pleased to play our part by making a donation of £300.
It’s not all hard work for our Lions
Despite being pretty exhausted after all of these activities, the club and members of our Friends group will be celebrating a tremendously successful year at our Christmas Dinner on 16th December. This year we will be holding it at Donzella’s Restaurant in Stanley Court where we will be sampling some great cuisine, fine wines and excellent company.
Would you like to help?
Would you like to put something back into your community? Why not become a Friend of the Lions? We let you know when we need help, and if you have any free time come along and help us out. Not available? No problem, just wait until the next request. You may be able to help out then.
Visit our website at npolneylions.btck.co.uk and go to the Contact Us page. Drop a note with “How can I help” in the subject line and we will get back to you. It couldn’t be simpler, could it?
We hope to hear from you soon.
OUR OLNEY CALENDAR ON SALE NOW
Only £5
All photos taken by local people – an ideal present for friends at home and abroad.
Get yours at the Thursday market, via our website olneylionsclub.org or from the Cowper & Newton Museum.
24 Phonebox Magazine