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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