PAGE 2 • FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 2017

As they have done for half a century the volunteer members of Hereford Lions Club will be doing their bit to bring some Christmas cheer to the community with Santa ’ s Sleigh tour and Santa ’ s Grotto , two key elements of the festive season . Both have become a big part of the Christmas scene in the city and surrounding villages .

How lucky we are that children and their families can rush out into the street to meet Santa in safety and return to their warm and comfortable homes for a nice supper .

Across the world millions will spend Christmas in refugee camps , cold and hungary driven from their homes by savage hurricanes , brutal wars and even ethnic cleansing . And we moan about a few roads being closed !

The message is simple : Let us be grateful for what we have and at the same time think how we might help others . As Festive News reports on the front page , the need for more volunteers to lend a hand in their communities is more vital than ever .

As the old saying goes – Christmas comes only once a year – and many will be grateful for that . But when it does arrive it gives each of us the opportunity to reflect on the big question : Are we doing enough to help and support those in our communities for whom life is a struggle for whatever reason .

Meanwhile , let us not forget that Christmas is a time of celebration . On behalf of Hereford Lions Club and its fellow volunteer members in 46,000 Lions Clubs worldwide I wish you a Christmas of peace and joy . Ian Foster

Hereford Lions Club and its volunteer members concentrates its vision on the future – building its membership , coming up with new fund raising ideas and above all seeking to improve the quality of life for those in our community in need of some extra support , especially in these economically challenging times . But sometimes we can all learn from the past , so the Editor delved into the archives to see what the club has achieved over its 57 year existence . Put simply , it ’ s one hell of a lot !

In the first five years a holiday home providing free seaside holidays , a community transport service and Hereford Hospital Radio had been set up . Lions were suddenly experts at raising cash for charities and individuals in need of

support . Who would have thought of raffling four bullocks or a new bungalow ; a holiday in New York flying on Concorde and returning on the QE 2 , or the chance to win a car . The hundreds of thousands of pounds raised has helped vital charities such as St Michael ’ s Hospital , Acorns Children ’ s Hospice , Macmillian Cancer Relief and dozens of others plus countless families and individuals in need of a helping hand .

Volunteering is at the very core of what Lions Clubs International stands for and we wholeheartly support Lady Darnley ’ s call for more people to become volunteers in their communities . Lions Club will welcome you into their ranks .

Not only do we offer the widest range of “ Packaged ” Holidays , but are your local experts for “ Independent Travel ”

CITY BREAKS FAR & AWAY LAKES AND MOUNTAINS SKIING AND WINTER SPORTS

SAFARI AND ADVENTURE FAMILY HOLIDAYS

Call in and find out what makes us different from other travel agents .

Knockerhill Farm , Callow , Hereford HR2 8BP

Tel : ( 01432 ) 354361 www . allseasonshereford . com

New president of Hereford Lions Club is Ian Foster who will take the reins for 12 months . Ian started his career as a police officer serving with Leicestershire Police Force , but later switched to banking and arrived in Hereford in 1987 as branch manager of Lombard North Central bank . He would later become an independent financial advisor . A keen sportsman Ian plays cricket and golf and coaches youngster in both sports . As well as club leader he retains his role as officer in charge of the clubs community transport service . He and wife Pauline live in Sutton St Nicholas .

Christmas comes but once a year is the saying and , whatever the children might think , maybe that is a good thing . After all , could we really cope with it on more than one occasion , or more importantly appreciate just how special Christmas is if it became a series to satisfy the commercial world . Its bad enough when the shops start selling Christmas crackers in the middle of summer . No , let ’ s keep it to that one magical day a year .

Meeting Santa was a magical moment for this little girl .

Editor : George Thomas Advertising Manager : Keith Martin

Festive News is published annually by Hereford Lions Club to support the local community and its many charity projects .

Please support our advertisers without whom Festive News would not be possible .

Contact details :

Hereford Lions Club , Colin Smith , Lions Club Secretary , 3 Kingfisher Road , Hereford HR2 7TH . Tel : 01432 350591

chibnellsmith @ aol . com www . herefordlions . com Charity No . 1043033

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