2009 ROSS LIONS FLOWER BOX`s

Andrew & Adam Middlecote stand by the flower box at five ways, plants were kindly donated by Ross Garden Store

Our other box is located by Swan House

ANDREW LEADS THE ROSS-ON-WYE LIONS AGAIN

The Ross Lions Club held their Handover Ceremony with a Sunday lunch at the Conservative Club.   40 members with their wives and some family members attended the event which turned out to be exceptionally enjoyable.   This was not because of the changeover at the top of the club but because of the excellent food, service, friendship and short speeches.

Lion Andrew Middlecote received a great welcome as he was presented with his Badge of Office for the second time as President of the Ross Club by the outgoing President, Lion Keith Wilding.

Before handing over the responsibilities of Club President to Andrew, Lion Keith told the guests how he had enjoyed his term in office, in fact two terms as he had been President for two years running.   This was the first year the club had paid out more money to deserving causes than had actually been raised during that year.   His time in office had been exciting and very eventful.   The Ross Round Walk had become an annual event, the Lions part in the Ross Carnival was becoming more established and the clubs involvement with the John Kyrle High School was also growing.   These were just a few examples of the number of events that took place over the year although the Annual Bonfire Night was a bit of a washout. 

He was especially pleased that during his term the club had gained a net increase of six members including its first lady Lion, which was a real change.    However, the crowning glory was that after months of talks a Young Lions Club had been established at the John Kyrle High School.   This was really special because it was the first Leo Club to be formed in the District for over 20 years.

Lion Keith thanked members and wives for all the support they had given him over the two years without whom it would not have been possible.   He picked out three members who he said had given exceptional service to the club.   Lion Bernard Fowkes, Secretary and Public Relations Officer and Lion Don Wood, Treasurer, both of whom received Certificates of Appreciation.   He also thanked Lion Andrew Middlecote for all the work he did for the club; way beyond what was expected.

In his acceptance speech Andrew said he would find it difficult to follow in the footsteps of Lion Keith as he had been an excellent President, but he would do his best and he looked forward to the continued support of all members and their wives.   He then presented Lion Keith with his Past Presidents badge.

JUNIOR MAJORETTES GET NEW BATONS

Tracy Cox, the Corps Director of the Ross Phoenix Majorettes, contacted the Ross-on-Wye Lions when she needed new batons for the junior section of her organisation.   At a cost of £150 it was too much for their funds so the Lions came to her rescue.

The Lions know that the Majorettes are a very well organised group with good discipline and are good ambassadors for the town of Ross.   Whatever competition they go into they always give of their best and invariably do very well.   They needed ten new batons for their juniors and now they can fling them into the air with confidence.   These youngsters are aged between 5 and 11 years.

There are 22 members in the group and they train twice a week at the Larruperz Centre.   The Lions think the Majorettes set a good example for other youngsters and would like to see more join them.   They wish Tracy and the Majorettes all the best for the future.

ROSS LIONS GAIN A FIRST WITH LEO CLUB

For the first time in many years a Leo Club (an International Lions Club but with young people as members) has been founded in the Lions 105W District and this historic event has taken place in the John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye.   The Charter Ceremony took place in the School on Tuesday 16^th June 2009.

In front of around sixty people, including parents, grandparents, the 105W District Governor,

Vice Governor, Deputy Vice Governor, two Zone Chairmen, Multiple and District Youth Officers, other Lion members, all from different clubs, plus the Head teacher of John Kyrle High School and his Deputy Head and of course a strong contingent of Ross Lions, nine students were inducted into the newly formed club.   This should have been eleven but two could not make the meeting.

The Ceremony was ably conducted by Ross Lion President Keith Wilding who is also the District Leo Advisor.   Lion Keith is the instigator of the Leo Club taking many months of negotiations with the school before it could be chartered.   Following the induction of the new members the Leo Officers were installed.   Matthew Petrie as President of the Club, Joe Egan as Vice President, Ryan Green Secretary and Bronwen Evans as the Treasurer.

The District Governor, Lion Surinder Malhotra from Chippenham, was invited to speak.   Lion Surinder started by explaining what LEO meant.   It is the Leo motto and L stands for Leadership – Leos develop skills as project organisers and motivators of their peers.    E stands for Experience – Leos learn the importance of cooperation through community service and O stands for Opportunity – Leos gain opportunities to excel, develop positive character traits and receive recognition for their contributions.

He said he was honoured to be at the Charter Ceremony and that he and his wife, Indu, also a Lion, were asked to badge up the new Leos.   He congratulated the Leos on joining the largest Service Organisation in the World with members in over 200 countries and territories and Leo Clubs in 137 of these areas.   The objective of the Leo Club Program was “to provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community”   On behalf of Lions International he wished the Leo club a successful future.

The Head Teacher of John Kyrle High School, Nigel Griffiths, then said a few words in his usual witty way.  He was proud that there was such a successful relationship between the Ross Lions and his School; for example they were involved with the Lions International Peace Poster Competition in which over 300,000 young people took part annually, the Ross Lions supported the schools Ugandan Project and regularly sponsored the Arts Department.

Mr Griffiths said he knew the Leo Club would improve the character of its members; it was no easy task they had taken on, he thought it would make them more responsible citizens and give them civic pride.   He congratulated his pupils for taking on the task of running the club and hoped it would go on from strength to strength.

Lion Keith Wilding will continue to advise the club, attending all their meetings and supporting them continuously.

The meeting finished with refreshments and a general get together where several other Lions Clubs indicated their interest in starting a Leo Club and requested a visit from Lion Keith.

ROSS LIONS ROSS ROUND WALK

For the third year running the Ross Lions have held the Ross round Walk.   The weather was much better than last year with sunshine and a cool breeze.

Around fifty walkers took part, a similar number to the previous two years.   The numbers who turned up were a little disappointing as the Lions were hoping that they would increase as people got to know about the walk.   The Lions aim is to make this an annual event raising funds for one main charity but with other organisations sharing the benefits as well.

The distance walked by participants was varied but only six walked the whole distance of 18 miles.   It is not known how much sponsorship was raised at this point as the money has not yet been collected.   However, it is hoped the amount will be similar to last year when over £1,200 was raised.

The Lions were particularly pleased to see a group of Ross Air Cadets participating to raise funds for their Unit as well as to enjoy the walk.    Also, some of the members of the proposed Young Lions Club, some of whom walked and others helped with the organising of the event.   This was the first event the ‘young Lions’ have taken part in and they look forward to many others.   Perhaps, when it catches on, other young people will also get sponsorship for their own organisations.

For those who like walking, or who endeavour to raise funds for their favourite charity, the walk can be of various lengths of 4 to 18 miles, depending on how fit you are.   The countryside over which the walk takes place is very varied.    It takes in the river, valleys, lakes and the woods and hills around Ross.   Many types of bird can be seen and on occasions various animals.   It is described as a most interesting walk in some fabulous countryside.

The next event the Lions will take part in is the Ross Carnival week followed by Bonfire Night.   At the Carnival the Lions will be putting on several free events especially for the children so do please bring your family along.   On the Tuesday before Carnival Day the Lions will be running stalls under the Heritage Centre which will also include free events for children.

At The Start, Mel, Joyce, Kate & Adam.

Mathew & Jeremy @ Hole In The Wall

Adam & Kate show the older folk the way !!!

HOLLIE RECEIVES HER TROPHY AT LIONS CONVENTION

The winner of the local and district rounds of the Lions International Peace Poster competition, Hollie Thorp, along with her parents, was invited to join the local Ross Lions Club, at their Annual District 105W Convention.

Mr and Mrs Thorp and Hollie, who took part in the contest at the John Kyrle High School, travelled to The Holiday Inn at Filton, Bristol, where over four hundred Lions from Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Avon, Wiltshire, Monmouthshire, Somerset and the whole of South Wales, had gathered to celebrate their Annual Convention.   Their visiting guests of honour were an International Director of Lions Club from India and a District Governor, also from India.

Thirteen year old Hollie, after being congratulated on her success by the District Governor of W105, Surinder Malhotra, was handed her shield by the Peace Poster Advisor, Lion Frieda Cox of the Highworth and District Lions Club with her proud parents looking on.

This year the awards were dominated by females, with two other young ladies winning the music contest and the Lions Young Ambassador Award.   Come on you young chaps, show that you are not being left behind and compete for these awards.

The local Ross Lions Club would also like to add their congratulations to Hollie for producing such a fine poster depicting ‘Peace Begins with Me’.   They also wish to thank the John Kyrle High School for allowing their pupils to take part in the Lions International Peace Poster Competition.

ROSS LIONS SUPPORT THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CAMPAIGN’S 50^th YEAR.

The patron of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is well known Sue Barker and the Ross Lions support took the form of a quiz entitled ’A Question of Thought’.

Held at the Conservative Club in Ross the Lions were hoping for around 15-16 teams to take part.   As it was over 20 teams actually registered with around 100 participants.   It was an excellent evening with tension running high, great humour and lots of laughter.   However, the best part of the evening was when the organisers were able to tell the quizzers that a total of £430 had been raised for the charity.   Far in excess of the amount anticipated.

It was a hard fought contest with the top teams finishing with very little between them.   The eventual winners were ‘The Nomads’ with close behind ‘Compare the Meerkats’.   The winners of the booby prize were ‘The Truant Gang’ from Walford.

To show what sort of support the Ross Lions gathered there were teams from Lions clubs in The Forest of Dean, Chepstow and Monmouth and the local club would like to thank their neighbouring Lions clubs for helping them to raise such a fantastic sum of money.

The president of the Ross Lions, Lion Keith Wilding along with organiser, Lion Andrew Middlecote, wish to thank the Conservative Club for allowing the use of their rooms for the quiz, members of the Ross Lions for providing all the raffle prizes and acting as MC and stewards.   Most of all they would like to thank all those who came along and made the night the success it was.   The organisers, Lions Andrew Middlecote and Colin Parry, must also be congratulated on producing such a fantastic event.

The aim of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is to provide practical, medical and emotional support to people affected by the conditions of which there are many thousands.

LIONS CHARITY RACE NIGHT WINNER

The Chase Hotel was again the venue for a wonderful evening of scintillating horse racing which brought out the really generous side of the punters.   Just over a hundred attended the event, including the horse racing lovers who were staying at the hotel.

Thanks to the generosity of all those there, and the sponsors who supported the Race Night, around £1,800 was raised for the Ross Lions local charity fund.   Despite the credit crunch this total was up by about £400 on last years event, showing that people are still enjoying life as well as tightening their belts.

It was an exciting evening with everyone quickly getting into the mood.   To add to the excitement the Manchester United versus Liverpool football match was being shown in the adjacent room.   Although the football match was very good, the feeling was that the horse racing shaded it for its drawing capacity.

Members of the Ross Lions added to the atmosphere by wearing their DJ’s and bow ties with most of them attending.    At the end of the evening the Ross Lions President, Lion Keith Wilding, thanked everyone for making such a success of the event.   This included, the Chase Hotel for the free use of their rooms and facilities, businesses in the Ross area who sponsored the Race Card and individual races, race goers staying at the hotel who were so generous as usual, members of his own club who organised the event and helped to run it and, of course, the guests without whom it would not have been possible.   The Lions say thank you to you all.

LIONS CHRISTMAS LUNCH FOR THE ELDERLY

Off course, this is not just the Ross Lions providing this event for the lonely elderly of Ross and District, but a whole host of other people who put their own festivities on hold while they make sure the elderly eat well and get entertained on Christmas Day.

Sixty meals were prepared, of which five were delivered to those who could not make it to the Ryefield Centre for some reason or other.   With the help of Age Concern and the WRVS nearly all the guests were collected by mini-bus and delivered to the Ryefield Centre, where they were met by a welcoming committee of Lion members and other volunteers, who offered drinks and chatted to the elderly guests.   Once they were settled the St Mary’s Church choir entertained them by singing carols.

Then the meal, prepared by Eleanor Bette-Bennett of Weston under Penyard and Sue Thomas of Lea, was served by very willing volunteers.   The food was described as wonderful by the guests who really tucked in, even asking for second helpings.   The elderly guests shared the meal with some of the volunteers, who themselves, would have been home alone.

While the meal was being served members of the Lions Club delivered the meals to the housebound, one of whom had just had a hip replacement operation.   He really appreciated the meal which was served in the home by the Lion member, who chatted to the person and gave him a glass of wine and presented him with a gift, making him feel he was a wanted member of the community.

At the end of the meal Santa, in the form of Lion Gordon Lucas, turned up to give each guest a bag of goodies to take home with them.   In the meantime the mayor, Councillor and Lion, John Davies arrived to mix with the guests chatting and laughing to keep them happy.

The whole event ran very smoothly, and according to Dennis Humble, this was due to all the volunteers who turned up on Christmas Eve to help prepare the dining room and food.   As usual the number of volunteers was more than adequate.   This shows that the community cares.

The Lions President, Lion Keith Wilding, would like to thank all the people involved, including: Herefordshire County Council for the free use of the Ryefield Centre, Eleanor Bette-Bennett and Sue Thomas for the excellent meal, Dennis Humble of Enviroability for organising the event, Debbie Griffiths of WRVS and Janet Macdonald of Age Concern for organising the transport and volunteers, all the other volunteers who turned up to help and not least those members of his own club who turn up year after year to help.   He also thanks the Phoenix Theatre Singers who made bucket collections at two in house concerts and donated the resulting £222 towards the Christmas meal and the late Lion Cyril Sheppard’s niece Mrs M Dyson who also donated £100.   Lion Keith described it as a wonderful event with a superb atmosphere which brings people together, including those dedicated to helping others in the community.   We all now look forward to next years event which he hopes will cater for more elderly residents.

SANTA’S BUSY SCHEDULE

The month before Christmas Day Santa had a very busy time and the young children of Ross were lucky that their Lions Club were able to get him to come to their Grotto at the Pengethley Garden Centre each weekend.   On these weekends Santa was visited at the Garden Centre by around 460 children and a grand total of £1,300 was raised for the Ross Lions local charity funds.

It must be said though, that mums, dads and grandparents were just as excited to see Santa as the youngsters were.   Sometimes, there were five or six family members squeezed into the Grotto watching their little ones talk to Santa and receive his or her present.   When they came out you could see the pleasure written all over their faces.   This gave Santa’s helpers, the Ross Lions, a great sense of satisfaction.   Many of the adults put money in the collection bucket to show their appreciation of the Lions.

For the three mornings prior to Christmas Day families were able to have breakfast with Santa Claus in the Pengethley Garden Centre Restaurant.   Over a hundred children with their parents and grandparents enjoyed the meal and had the chance to talk to Santa and receive a present.   In all nearly 600 young children saw Santa at the Garden Centre and another successful event was completed by the Ross Lions Club.

The Ross Lions President, Lion Keith Wilding, wishes to thank Chris Taylor of the Pengethley Garden Centre who provided the Grotto, a Santa Band and donated the profits to the Lions funds.   Also the staff of the Garden Centre who prepared the Grotto and presents.   What would Santa have done without them?   He also thanks his own members who gave up their own weekends to give the children enjoyment and entertainment. This event was followed by the Ross Lions Elderly Persons Christmas Lunch, which also turned out successful, and which shows that the elderly enjoy Christmas as much as little children.

LIONS SUPPORT ART DEPARTMENT AT JKHS

The Year Eight pupils of the John Kyrle High School have for many years participated in the Lions International Peace Poster Competition, producing up to 200 entries each year.   In fact they have taken part so many times that the school decided to include it as part of the curriculum.

Understanding that there is a cost to producing so many posters the Ross Lions Club voted to give a grant to the schools Art Department amounting to £250.   At a recent meeting the Ross Lions President, Keith Wilding, presented Head of Art, Neil Carroll, with the money and said he looked forward to many more years of cooperation between the school and the Lions Club.

Accepting the cheque teacher Neil thanked the Lions for their generosity and said he enjoyed the schools participation in the Lions Peace Poster Competition as it gave the children something to think about and an opportunity to show what they thought about peace in the world.

The winner and runners up of the contest will be announced soon and the prizes will be presented at the schools Prize Giving Day on the 17^th December.

HEREFORD HOSPITAL GETS POOL TABLE FROM ROSS LIONS

The Children’s ward at the County Hospital, Hereford, struck it lucky when Ross Lions were given a pool table.    The pool table belonged to a London friend of Lion Nick Dale, and he asked Nick if the Ross Lions would like the table to do with as they wished.

Lion Nick immediately contacted the Children’s Ward at the Hospital and asked them if they could find a use for a pool table.  The Sister of the Ward was delighted to accept the table, saying it would help to occupy the time of both young patients and their visiting siblings.   No time was lost in delivering it and the table was soon in the lounge of the Children’s Ward.

When Lion Andrew Middlecote was talking to the Ward Sister he learnt that they could do with more equipment to keep the children occupied.   He brought this up at the next Lions meeting and a colleague said he could provide a Table Football game and arrangements are being made to get it to the hospital.   The President of the Ross Lions Club, Keith Wilding, thanked his members for their quick action in delivering the equipment and said it was wonderful that friendships could provide so much to help others.

ROSS LIONS BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Regardless of the weather the people of Ross were determined to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night and a fair sized crowd of around 1600 to 1800 turned up at the Chase Hotel grounds to try and enjoy a huge bonfire and the usual fireworks display.

Just before the fireworks display started the heavens opened and rain poured down.   However, this did not dampen the spirits of the crowd and the queue for hotdogs, burgers, pork rolls and drinks continued well into the evening.    The fireworks did not fare so well though and, although the display wasn’t too bad, only about half of them would light because they got damp.   They were still enjoyable though and the crowd gave a rousing cheer for the Lions at the end of the display.

A lot of work had gone into organising the evening and the Lions were just as determined as the spectators to carry on with the event, hoping the rain would hold off long enough.

The Ross Lions President, Lion Keith Wilding, wants to thank families and friends of Lions who helped in the preparation of the night, especially under the prevailing conditions.   He also wishes to thank the Chase Hotel who year after year allows free use of their grounds.   However, Lion Keith saves his special thanks for the public who braved the elements in order to support the Lions in their efforts to raise funds for local charities.

The Ross Lions would like to apologise to the town for the noise made by fireworks being ignited on Sunday morning.   This is usual practice as the unspent fireworks are disposed of in the ‘recommended safe way’.   Unfortunately, there were a lot of unspent fireworks.   The Lions were not disrespectful on Remembrance Day and did stop placing fireworks on the bonfire well in advance of the two minutes silence, which they themselves observed, and fortunately the silence was maintained.

Thank you again to those who supported the Ross Lions and we look forward to seeing you at our future events.

LIONS HELP STUDENT WITH HIS BA DEGREE

Local man Robin Shepherd, whose family live close to the John Kyrle High School, approached the Ross Lions Club when he had difficulty finding the money to purchase materials for his final piece when completing a show towards his BA degree at Chelsea School of Art.

Recently he wrote to the Ross Lions to thank them for the generous offer of £200 which helped him buy the best materials to create a high quality piece of sculpture.   It also helped him learn how to use these most suitable materials.   He said he would not have been able to invest in these materials without the assistance of the Ross Lions.

Robin has now finished at Chelsea and ended up having a very successful degree show.   He graduated with a First Class Honours degree and was also awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award for the piece of work he showed, two things that he really feels proud of.   The show Robin put on of his art work is the first real point of contact with the art world and the best thing that came out of his degree show is that he is now working closely with a gallery called the Hannah Barry Gallery situated in South London.   He is currently working on a group show for the gallery and has also been offered a solo show next year.   It is quite unusual to be working with a gallery so soon after graduation and this makes his gratefulness towards the Ross Lions even greater.

The Ross Lions President, Keith Wilding, said it was one of the aims of Lions to help young people reach their potential and on behalf of members of the Ross club he wishes Robin all the best for the future and perhaps one day he can put on a show at Ross.

LIONS COMMEMORATION FOR CYRIL SHEPPARD

On Saturday morning August 16^th Cyril Sheppard’s ashes were interred at Peterstow Church.

In the afternoon the Ross Lions had organised a Commemoration Service close by the Bandstand at the riverside, Ross.   This was conducted by the Reverend Derek Bedford in the company of members of Ross-on-Wye Lions, Cyril’s niece Moira Dyson and her husband Michael from Leatherhead, Surrey, friends and neighbours.

To remember Cyril the Lions have provided a seat overlooking the Ross Bandstand.   The Rev. Bedford dedicated the seat in Cyril’s memory and in his prayer said ‘may those who enjoy its comfort give thanks for him when they read his name, this seat, here to mark the life of Cyril Sheppard, we dedicate to his memory and honour’.

The Rev. Bedford also said ‘May this countryside, that he loved, be preserved, protected and enjoyed by all who visit this river bank’.   As reported before, Cyril designed and planted up the Caroline Symonds Gardens many years ago.   To commemorate this, the Ross Lions have planted a Silver Beech tree on the bank near to the tunnels under the road.

Cyril loved to visit the riverside on a Sunday afternoon to sit and listen to the Brass Bands playing on the Lions Bandstand.   He could also consider all the work he had put in on the Caroline Symonds Gardens which he no longer could do.   After working for the Ross Lions for over thirty years, raising funds for the poor and needy and serving the local community, the Lions decided providing a lasting memorial in his name would have been appreciated by Cyril.   The Lions hope the residents and visitors enjoy using the seat and think of Cyril when looking at the view of Caroline Symonds Garden.

ROSS LIONS RACE NIGHT SUCCESS

The appalling weather may have stopped the racing at the Cheltenham Gold Cup meeting but it didn’t stop the Ross Lions Gold Cup Eve Charity Race Night.   In fact, it could have had a beneficial effect as a good crowd turned up at the Chase Hotel to enjoy a good evening ‘at the races’.

The guests at the hotel, who, in the main, have been coming to Ross for years to go to the races, were also in good form after a day without races.   With many tables booked in advance the room soon filled up with happy punters.  Of course, this meant only the needy, handicapped, elderly and young of the local area would benefit as the Lions fund raising abilities came into their own.

Happy punters were very noisy, cheering on their chosen horses, knowing that many were giving their money to charity.   The atmosphere was electric and the enjoyment was plain to see.   A raffle, auction of horses and the Tote all helped to raise funds for the Lions Club.

The President of the Ross Lions, Lion Keith Wilding said that the evening was excellent, and it was good to see all the guests enjoying the evening.   Although the profit on the evening was unknown at the time of going to press it was anticipated that the funds raised equalled or bettered previous Race Nights.   Lion Keith would like to thank all those involved in the event but especially the Chase Hotel for allowing the use of their rooms, the sponsors of the Race Programme, the sponsors of the races and the punters without whom it couldn’t happen.   The Lions look forward to seeing you all again next year.

LIONS INTERNATIONAL PEACE POSTER COMPETITION

The John Kyrle High School year eight pupils again took part in the Lions International Peace Poster Competition which had as its theme this year ‘Peace around the World’.   Over 200 twelve and thirteen year old youngsters painted a poster as part of the schools curriculum.   They joined over 300,000 other contestants from all round the world to show what young people thought about peace.

The finished posters were judged in November 2007 by four local people; these were Joyce Thomas MBE, artists Jeremy Whitehouse and Christine Brazier with the Ross Lions President Keith Wilding.   This group was accompanied by the Head of Art Neil Carroll and Art Teacher Shona Brown.   As usual the entries were of high calibre, making the selection very difficult.   Eventually a shortlist of 15 posters was chosen. 

From this fifteen the first three were selected and the other 12 were given highly commended.   During late November the 12 pupils who obtained highly commended were presented with their certificates at assembly.    At the Schools Annual Prize Giving Ceremony on the 18^th December 2007, in front of around 400 visitors, the Ross Lions President, Lion Keith Wilding presented twelve year old Katy Rose Cawthorne from Gorsley with the winners shield, a certificate and a cheque for £35.   Paul Sosner from Lea achieved second place and received a certificate and a cheque for £25 while Harriett Wally of Welsh Newton Common accepted a certificate and £15.   To make their day they had their photographs taken with the guest of honour Ashley Blake from BBC Midlands Today.

Katy’s entry was forwarded to the District Round for judging along with entries from all over South Wales, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Avon.   Competing to win another bigger prize Katy, unfortunately, only achieved Highly Commended and was eliminated from the contest.   The winner of the District Round would go on to the National Round from which the winner would go on to join the international finalists at the United Nations Building in New York, USA to win a big prize.

To thank the school for taking part the Ross Lions presented the Head of Art, Neil Carroll with a cheque for £250 to be spent on art material for the Arts Department.   The president of the Ross Lions Club, Keith Wilding, said he was extremely pleased with the quality of art produced by the pupils and felt the cooperation of the school in taking part in the contest was excellent.   He hoped it would continue for many years to come.

LIONS TREAT ELDERLY TO A CHRISTMAS FEAST

Not only did Father Christmas turn up on Christmas Day but many volunteers turned out to provide a Christmas meal fit for a Queen.   This was at the Ryefield Centre in Ross-on-Wye where, thanks to the generosity of the Ross Lions Club, the WRVS and other volunteers the lonely elderly who, possibly, would not have had a special meal on the 25^th, were treated to a sumptuous Christmas lunch.   The food was prepared by volunteers on Christmas Eve and cooked on the day under the supervision of Gay Goodwin of the Rumbling Tum.

Around sixty elderly people from the Ross area had booked in for the meal which is held annually.

Many were collected from their homes by volunteers in private cars or a mini-bus.   Those who were housebound on the day had meals delivered and served in their homes.   Eight meals were served in this way and included a cracker and small bottle of wine.

Prior to the meal a two minute silence was observed in memory of Joan Ollis who was the main instigator of the Christmas Lunch and for many years organised it.

Before the meal the guests were served with drinks and entertained by members of the Free Life Church who provided music and singing with the people present joining in.   Just before the start of lunch the crowd enjoyed the sound of Scottish bagpipes played by Allan Harrison of Ross.   Now feeling relaxed and full of good spirits the guests were ready for their Christmas lunch.   The volunteers then served Turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding, mince pies and coffee, all the while keeping glasses topped up.

It was a wonder to see, all these elderly residents really tucking into a superb meal, thanks to Gay of the Rumbling Tum.   It made giving up the morning by volunteers well worth the effort.   The volunteers, including members of the Ross Lions, not only served the meals but moved around the guests talking and listening and generally making the meal interesting.

Thanks again to the WRVS and the Lions Santa Claus turned up to present every guest with a present.   There was also a free raffle when loads of donated prizes were won.   Volunteers made sure all the guests arrived home safe and sound and maybe a little tipsy.

It was good to see the return of the past manager of the Ryefield Centre, Dennis Humble, who just couldn’t stay away.   He appeared to have just a good a time as the guests.   The Mayor of Ross, Councillor and Reverend Derek Bedford also gave up some of his time to visit the event.   The Ross Lions Club president, Lion Keith Wilding with his wife Sue also attended.    Lion Keith, on behalf of the Ross Lions, would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to serve the elderly members of the community, thank you very much!

  LIONS CONTINUE TO HELP SCHOOLS

Staff at the Gorsley Goffs Primary School consulted their young pupils when the Ross Lions Club asked if there was anything they could buy the school.    Surprisingly, the most wanted item was an extra bench for them to sit on in the play area.   The Head Teacher, Richard Humphrey, did not hesitate at this strange request but immediately contacted the Lions Community Services Chairman, Mel Middlecote, to put in the order.   He also asked for a supply of ‘safety bark’ to replenish the adventure playground.  

In the presence of Mr Humphrey and the young Councillors for the school, Charlotte Westley, Elizabeth Powell, Sophie Gooch, Georgia Crawford, Dan Scholey, Sam Scholey and Harry Schudamore the Ross Lions president, Lion Keith Wilding handed over a cheque to the young people.  Mr Humphrey said Gorsley Goffs Primary School was very grateful to the Ross Lions and they looked forward to using the seat in the summer.

On the same day the Lions President and Community Services Chairman along with their Press Officer also visited Bridstow CE Primary School to present a cheque for items they had bought.   Head Teacher, Paul Sockett, had asked for funds to purchase child friendly hurdles and javelins for the PE Department and weighing scales and weights for maths and science activities.   The cheque was handed over to year 6 pupil George Swatteridge who thanked the Lions for their generosity.

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