Page 43 - Phonebox Magazine October 2016

Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions Club
Civil war in Newport Pagnell!
The roar of the canon, gallop of the horses, pikemen, Musketeers and life in the days of Oliver Cromwell was brought to the town by members of the English Civil War Society at Bury Field in Newport Pagnell and our Lions were on site with our Second Hand book stall. Whilst the event gave us the opportunity to fundraise, the two day re-enactment was only part of a much larger project.
Some months ago, the Lions club made a sizeable donation to the second phase of the project which is aimed at building on spectacle of the battles and the township. An ongoing Schools activity is now being rolled out and is aimed at bringing the history of the time to life, not on the battle eld but in the classroom. Hopefully the students will begin to appreciate what their ancestors’ lives were like before the car, mobile phone, computer and all the ‘must haves’ which we all take for granted these days. The schools project is now running and we hope our donation goes some way making our current students appreciate what others have had to go through to give us the life we have today.
Lions International Eye Centre
The world famous Moor elds Eye Hospital is working with Lions clubs in the UK to set up an eye unit and surgical training centre at Korle Bu, Ghana. Readers will know that a major Lions objective is to eradicate preventable/ reversible blindness throughout the world and this partnership with Moor elds, has seen us embark on this ground-breaking project. Funds for the building have already been secured and work will shortly be starting to create the Surgical Centre. Our next target is to fund the provision of eye specialists who
are able to perform safe and sight-restoring operations when needed and we are now raising funds for this training facility. Our club was delighted to be able to send a donation to help this second element of the project. Blind Veterans UK Centre (Llandudno) Another initiative to help the Blind, but a bit closer to home is the Lions Clubs of the British Isles and Ireland commitment to raise £100,000 to be used to facilitate the completion of the building work required to refurbish three disused outbuildings at the Blind Veterans UK Centre (BVUK) at Llandudno.
When completed, this complex will be used to provide Life Skills for Independent Living – a tailored programme of counselling and training in purpose built accommodation for those younger veterans needing this vital support.
Italian Earthquake Appeal
Immediately following news of the recent Earthquake in Italy, our International Charity (LCIF) made $100,000 available to the Lions Clubs in the area. These funds will be used by local Lions members for local needs in the immediate aftermath of the disaster and other clubs worldwide have been asked to respond if possible. We have made a donation which will nd its way to the affected area and our fellow Lions will be putting it to good use.
District Children’s Party
Each year, Lions in our District which extends from London to Olney, organise a Party for disadvantaged and disabled young people. Although we will not be directly involved, we
felt that we should sponsor a table to help contribute to the costs of the event which is free for those who attend.
The Spirit of India
We are once again running one of our Whisky Tasting events at the Carlton House Club on friday 14th October, but this time we will be learning about a new boy on the block - Paul John Whisky, from India.
Our Tutor for the evening will be Shilton Almeida, who thinks he has Scottish Blood, but hails from the distillery in Goa. We will not only be tasting a variety of whiskies produced entirely in Goa but will be learning about how such an unusual product has come to take the Industry by storm. To set the evening off, Shilton has suggested a range of curries which will complement the whisky - a true Taste of India .
Tickets are priced £25 and are available from CT Wilson or the Carlton Club, where the event will be taking place.
Our Town Calendars
Make a date on Market days when our members and friends will be selling our Town Calendars. A unique publication for each town which carry some great photos of either Newport Pagnell or Olney. Olney photos have been donated by residents in the town whilst the Newport Pagnell Calendar has photos taken by members of the Lions Club. Priced at only £5 (the same price as our rst effort 6 years ago) these will make a great gift to relatives or friends who you don’t see that often, helping to keep your memories alive no matter how many miles separate you.
October 2016 | Phonebox Magazine 43