OUR new President, Tony, is what you might call a “good egg”. Apart from being a Lion he also runs swimming for disabled children (and that’s actually in the water) several times a week and later this month he’ll be holding a coffee morning in aid of the Macmillan Nurses – generous to a fault. He also has a pretty good understanding of his fellow Lions and their proclivities. (Nice word that – covers a multitude of sins.) So, through items a-j of the minutes of the last business meeting he suggested, very politely, how we could improve things. Nothing major, just a few drops of oil to make the club machine run more smoothly. But I think he’ll be keeping us up to the mark no matter how rambunctious we get.

World Sight Day is on Thursday, October 9. Following the success of our stall in Queen Anne’s Walk, Festival Place last year, when over 200 people visited us, we’ll be there again this year to collect your redundant specs, provide information on different types and aspects of blindness and advise on the sort of help that’s available locally. Lenny the (Basingstoke) Lion will be prowling the area offering free raffle tickets for a prize of two tickets to one of our shows. So, please visit us with or without specs to gain an insight into no sight and its dire problems.

Fundraising: The Sussex Kings Jazz Band gave us a fantastic performance at QMC helping us to raise £1,230.

On October 4 we’ll be having a barn dance with the well-known local band Pitchfork from 7.30pm-11pm at the beautiful Home Farm Barn, Farleigh Wallop. Bring your own picnics, we will be running our usual very reasonably priced bar. It’s going to be a great night. Tickets are currently still available by phoning 01256 325280 or 421867 or (email: jomolincoln@btinternet.com), or mauricehockley@hotmail.com) or from Toucan Travel at the Chineham Shopping Centre.

On November 15 it’s Quiz Night at the Cliddesden Millenium Hall again - 110 questions to entertain, educate and infuriate. It’s great fun! Book your three to four person team table by contacting Philip Wilson philipjhwilson@btinternet.com or tel. 01256 352393. 

On November 29, The Apollo Big Band are appearing for us again at QMC. They were ecstatically received when they appeared for us last time. They are a super group with a large following. So, on this occasion we have decided to donate the entire proceeds from the event to the Basingstoke Multiple Sclerosis Society. It’s a great charity so do come along and support it. Tickets are available from the usual suspects as shown above.

As always, more details are available on our overworked website basingstokelions.org.uk.