LVLC NEWS FROM 2015

Lions World Sight Day

David Leeks with his Lions and Sainsbury Helper


world-sight-day LogoLions Clubs use World Sight Day to create a public awareness of the plight and difficulties faced by blind and partially sighted people. This year, Loddon Valley Lions teamed up with the Sainsbury Superstore in Tadley and the Chairman of Tadley Town Council, Cllr David Leeks for this purpose. David who is confined to a wheelchair, is already well aware of the difficulties faced by people with physical disabilities. He was blindfolded while trying to do his shopping in the store in his motorised chair! 

It took about half an hour for Cllr Leeks to pick the 5 items on his shopping list, put them in his basket and make his way to the checkout guided solely by the voice of one of the Lions. David said “I was totally dependent on the directions I was given.” A Sainsbury spokesperson added that they are always available to help people in their stores who have disabilities. Loddon Valley Lions are very grateful to the manager and staff of Sainsbury’s, Tadley for their help and cooperation with this event.

Loddon Valley Lions First Lady

Linda with Lion President Martin SlatfordAt their meeting on 17 June 2015, Loddon Valley Lions were pleased to welcome their first lady member into the Club. Linda Neilson had attended and helped out at a number of Club functions over the past year or so and was delighted to accept the invitation of the Club to join them. Linda is the first lady member in the 40 year history of the Club, but we certainly hope it will not be another 40 years before the next lady is invited to join. Our picture shows Lion Linda with Loddon Valley Lions President Martin Slatford at the end of Linda's induction ceremony. We all wish Linda a long and happy association with the Lions.

Burnham Copse Poets Do It Again !

Dylan Receives the TrophyFor the fourth year running, a pupil of Burnham Copse Primary School in Tadley has been the winner of the Lions District 105D District Poetry Competition. The competition is open to all the 60+ Lions Clubs in Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, most of Wiltshire, part of South Oxfordshire and South Buckinghamshire, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. Each Lions Club is challenged to find young poets in its area from schools, youth groups, such as Scout and Guide units etc. Dylan Anns, a year 6 pupil at Burnham Copse Primary School was judged to be the overall winner of the Junior Section from all the entries submitted from all the Lions Clubs in the District. Dylan is seen receiving the trophy from Loddon Valley Lion John Goodchild (who presented it to the District when the competition first started) in the presence of Miss Hunter from the school at a school assembly just before the 2015 late May Holiday. Dylan also received a cheque for £50 from the District (made payable to mum!) and a Waterstone Voucher. Loddon Valley Lions also awarded Waterstone Vouchers to other pupils from the school who had participated in the competition. To read Dylan's Poem, Please Click Here Yet another example of how 'ORDINARY PEOPLE' achieve 'AMAZING THINGS'