Lions to roar for another 40 years (From Wiltshire Times)

Lions to roar for another 40 years

9:00am Friday 18th March 2011 in Down Memory Lane

Last week Bradford on Avon Lions Club celebrated 40 years of raising money for good causes by planting a tree in Culver Close.

Chris Penny, the last surviving original member, said: “It was early 1970 that a group of us met in the Three Horseshoes pub and decided to form a Lions Club in Bradford on Avon, and it was a wonderful momentous decision which changed the lives of many Lions members. Under the initial leadership of Cliff Hiller we created a 18-strong group drawn from a wide selection of professions and business.”

The Lions’ first project was the purchase and renovation of an ambulance for the St John Ambulance Brigade. Since then they have organised day trips; caravan holidays; hospice fundraising; supported disaster appeals and the Lions Club campaign to eliminate preventable blindess; provided a Christmas parcel for the elderly and needy families from money raised by Santa’s carol float and held a May Day fun day and car boot sale.

Mr Penny said: “We endeavour to alleviate suffering and to aid, in any form we feel reasonable, the less fortunate folk in the area and internationally.

“We have much enjoyed the past 40 years, so come and join us and have fun and good feelings while helping those in need of assistance.

“Some new members might keep the Bradford on Avon Lions Club going for another 40 years. We are a mixed club and age is not a barrier, it is just a matter of giving some of your time to help others. And we do have very good friendships and social life!”

For details contact Chris Penny at penny797@ btinternet.com.

Second picture caption: the original members, from left, back row Ron Hucker, Mike Long, Gerald Reid, Colin Miles, Tony Mundy, Ian Sheppard, Tom Miles, Vic Rutland, David Hayter, Chris Penny, Niall Macgregor, Peter Mellier-Smith, John Plummer, Pat Rodgers, Keith Dobson, Bill Taylor, John Barnard, Luther Flood; seated Roy Bristow (secretary), Cliff Hillier (president) and Ron Harber (treasurer). Not pictured, Brian Shuker