The Meon Valley Lions Club recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a meal at the New Place Hotel in Shedfield.

A few local people started the club in 1973, with Fareham Lions as its sponsor to help get membership off the ground. 

Ken Brady was a founder member, president three times and deputy district governor. Another early member was Bob Higginbottom and the only one to reach the heights of district governor. The Doney family, who used to run the garage in Newtown, were also very involved. Harry Greenslade ran a teddy bear tombola for many years at all local fetes until about 15 years ago. 

The club's first trailer was built by Ken on an old caravan chassis, which morphed into a sleigh for Santa collections. A minibus was purchased not long after the club was formed and to this day provides essential support for the elderly and community at large. 

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By the 1990s they had about 15 members, with average age of about 45 all helping to run Lions whilst working full-time and raising families. 

A club spokesman said: “There have been many adventures, friendship and people helped along the way, somethings are different, but many remain the same. A club to this day famous for Santa collections, minibus and converting burgers into cash to help people in need. 

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to those early Meon Valley Lions pioneers and of course it should not be forgotten the huge contribution by the partners of lions members over the years, the true unsung heroes of the club; and of course the lions friends, always on hand to help. 

“It is a club today with a wonderful group of people from all walks of life, whom we count as friends, who freely give their time to make a difference in the community and of course part of the Lions Worldwide.  

“We’re looking forward to many more successful years ahead.”

For more details about the club, visit: meonvalleylionsclub.org.uk/index.html.