Our Flamingos were on BBC Points West (17/06/21)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000x40y/points-west-evening-news-17062021
(24:00 minutes in)
and the BBC News Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-57513605
On Sunday Dec 11th Santa helps us by being at Sainsburys in Portishead meeting with the children. Parents kindly donated to our Food Bank project and we collect £609. Many thanks to All those who gave so generously and to Sainsburys and of course to Santa for turning up when he is so busy.
LIONS SPEKTREK COLLECTION
Portishead Lions are sending off their annual collection of used spectacles as part of the national Lions Spektrek event.
Every year Lions Clubs throughout the country collect used spectacles. These are sent to a centre near Chichester operated by Chichester Lions where they are sorted and sent on to Le Havre Lions in France. An organisation called Medico France wash and grade them. They are then sent via Messagerie Maritime who transport them free of charge for donation to individuals in Africa who have been identified by local Lions Clubs to be in need of spectacles for which they cannot pay.
Over 300,000 spectacles a year are sent to Africa. This is a marvellous example of how a great deal of good can be done at very little cost and at no expense to the donors.
Portishead Lions would like to thank all those who have donated their used spectacles over the last year and Dyer & Scott opticians and Morgan-Wesley for acting as collecting stations. Spectacles can be handed in at both those outlets on the High Street throughout the year.
LIONS SAY THANK YOU FOR CHRISTMAS SUPPORT
Portishead Lions would like to say thank you to the public for their support over the Festive Season.
The collection at the Sainsbury store was a success and the Club is grateful to the management for giving it the opportunity. The stall at the Victorian Evening was so successful that supplies of roast chestnuts and mistletoe ran out. Many licensed outlets raffled off Chocolate Santas for the Club which is grateful for their annual support.
This year’s collection with the Santa Float was the most successful ever and the generosity of the public means that the club has more funds to help local organisations and those in need.
The Lions received much support from local youth organisations who supported them with enthusiasm and hard work. Members of Portishead Youth Club, the Avon & Somerset Police Cadets and the Portishead Army Cadet Force all turned out to help and support their local community.
The motto of Lions is “We Serve” but this can only be lived up to with the support of such partners and of the public.
Thank you Portishead!
CROCKERNE SCHOOL DEFIBRILLATOR
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Portishead Lions commissioned another Defibrillator. The new machine is fixed to the fence by the main gate to Crockerne C of E Primary School.
Lions Andrew Hill and David Colston installed it on Friday 4 December. Andrew Hill also addressed the School Assembly to explain the purpose of the machine. The young pupils not only listened attentively but were eager to ask questions. There were more than could possibly dealt with and Lion Andrew complimented the pupils on the quality of their enquiries.
Site Supervisor David Smith was on hand to receive a briefing on the machine and take over control. Work on the installations at the other Primary Schools in the area is at an advanced stage with the unit at Portishead Primary School the next on line.
A range of fund raising events is planned to finance the project and meet the target of 19 units in the area. Anyone who wishes to find out about these events and how they can support the project should contact Andrew Hill on 01275 847337. He would welcome any ideas for fund raising or any suggestions for further locations for defibrillators.
PORTISHEAD CHILDREN VISIT FARMLINK AT WRINGTON
Portishead Lions have funded the special coach needed to take Portishead children with their “Buddies” on trips to Farmlink in Wrington. The visits over three days involved local children with learning difficulties being shown round a working farm, building dens, tractor rides, making Halloween treats and a range of craft activities.
Organised by Gill of Portishead Children’s Centre & Jennie of the Firs Resource Centre the activities enable the children to enjoy experiences that they might otherwise miss.
A spokesman for Portishead Lions said that it was always a pleasure to help the Portishead Children’s Centre in their valuable work.
LIONS DEFIBRILLATOR PROJECT PROGRESSES
The Portishead Lions Defibrillator Project has taken a significant step forward. Following the first placement outside Boots on Portishead High Street a lot of work has been carried out identifying potential sites, gaining agreement, ensuring all technical issues are dealt with and raising funds.
A programme of installation has now begun with the installation of a defibrillator in Weston in Gordano in the disused telephone box by the White Lion Inn. This innovative site was the result of the Parish Council’s initiative and the villagers contributed £1100 to the project. Both Lion President Nick Gough and Parish Council Chairman Peter Yates-Round paid tribute to the way in which the public had given their support to the Lions project.
By mid-November the Lions Club will have installed more units at the five Primary Schools in the area. This will increase the availability to the public significantly. The club plans to have defibrillator in place within easy access of all members of the public in Portishead and district. The target is 19 installations. Two are now in place and a further 16 sites have been agreed with a further option being investigated.
This is an ambitious project requiring significant funding. Project Leader Andrew Hill expressed his thanks to the many people who have supported the club in raising £29326 towards the cost of installation. To successfully achieve their goals Portishead Lions need to raise £55000. This means that a further £25674 is needed to complete the project.
Anyone who wishes to support the project can find out more by contacting Andrew on 01275 818200. He would welcome any ideas for fund raising or any suggestions for further locations for defibrillators.
GORDANO SCHOOL TAKES UP LIONS LIFE SKILLS CHALLENGE
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Mike Oxenham, the Head of Personal, Social, Health and Economics Education at Gordano School is going to use the Life Skills package provided by Portishead Lions to help students prepare themselves for the challenges all young people face in this day and age.
The programmes include materials designed to help young people deal with such potential dangers as drugs and gambling and to understand the concepts of citizenship.
Schools today are increasingly expected to provide more than academic education and this inevitably means pressure on resources at a time when there are financial constraints.
Mike Oxenham said that the contribution made by Portishead Lions would be invaluable in helping the school deal with these issues.
The materials provided are specifically designed for the use of 11 – 14 year olds. There are also programmes available for younger age groups. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Portishead Lions on 01275 281415 or membership@portisheadlions.club
LIONS SERVICE AWARDS
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Portishead Lions have honoured two of their longest serving members David Colston and Andrew Hill, with Melvyn Jones Fellowships. The award, named after the founder of Lions Clubs International is given to Lions who have demonstrated outstanding service to the organisation and to their communities.
Between them David and Andrew have over 80 years’ service. David has been a member of three clubs and has served as President of all three. Andrew is a Past President of Portishead Lions and has served at District and Multi-District level.
Both Lions paid tribute to the help and support they had received from their wives over the years. They also referred to the pleasure and fellowship they had enjoyed during their time as Lions and expressed their intention to continue their involvement with the Club serving Portishead and district.
CAR BOOT SALE
Portishead Lions held a Car Boot Sale on Sunday 23 August in aid of funds for local projects. It was held at the Portishead Flower Show Field. There was a charge of £ 7 for each pitch. The public were invited to make a donation of 50p per person towards the Club’s Charity Fund.
The Car Boot Sale successfully raised over £850 and the Club are hoping to put on more Car Boot Sales in 2016.
For further information on our Car Boot Sales contact Lion David Colston on 01275 845970.
LIONS AMONG THE ROSES
Lion Garry Bishop and Club Supporter Carolyn Bishop putting finishing touches to the bed of Lions Celebration Roses next to the Outdoor Swimming Pool in Portishead as part of the Portishead in Bloom competition.
The bed was created in 2010 to mark the 40th Anniversary of the formation of the Lions Club of Portishead.
BUMPS FOR BABIES DONATION
The Portishead Bumps and Babies Group have just received a boost of £500 from Portishead Lions. This will help them to finance their much needed work. The group meet at the Portishead Children’s Centre at the St. Barnabus Centre on West Hill, Portishead on Fridays between 10.00 and 11.30. All expectant and new parents are welcome. For further information call 07971 332643.
Garry Bishop who presented the cheque on behalf of Portishead Lions said that the club were delighted to be associated with the Portishead Children’s Centre and to support the hard working volunteers and staff who did such a wonderful job.
