November 2011
A season for giving and receiving
In recent months, the world economic crisis has worsened and there's no doubt that everyone's personal circumstances have been squeezed financially. Yet the willingness of individuals to support worthwhile causes and charities continues unabated, as witnessed by the amazing contributions to this year's RBLI Poppy Appeal and the annual Children in Need programme.
We're hoping that similar generosity can be sustained for the seasonal Meon Valley Lions Club Father Christmas collections this year. You're probably thinking that the Meon Valley and Hampshire in general, is one of the most affluent areas in the UK, and you'd be right. But that doesn't mean that in these tough times there aren't pockets of deprivation, children with special needs, home-carers in need of support and many others who are down on their luck and need your help.
Lions clubs have been in existence for approaching one hundred years and the Meon Valley Lions Club has been active since 1973. Last year we spent in excess of £10,000 on local community causes in this area. Although part of an international organisation, our club works to ensure that 80% of the money we raise is channelled back into local good causes and charities within the area of the Meon Valley. The remainder goes to national and international programmes such as the Tsunami appeal or the New Zealand earthquake - but in all cases every single penny we collect from donations, or at our fund-raising events, is used to help others.
Santa's 2011 itinerary
Before the extremely busy delivery schedule each Christmas Eve, Father Christmas does some quick practice runs throughout the Meon Valley in December, just to check the route and make sure that all the boys and girls have been good. He'll be in your area on the following December nights between about 6.15pm and 8pm, so listen for the Christmas carols and look out for his brightly lit sleigh!
(Any Saturday dates are 9am - 3pm appearances).
| 1-Dec | Thu | Bishops Waltham High St (Lights Ceremony) |
| 1-Dec | Thu | Wickham East |
| 2-Dec | Fri | Waltham Chase North |
| 3-Dec | Sat | Masons, Swanmore |
| 5-Dec | Mon | Waltham Chase South |
| 6-Dec | Tue | East Meon |
| 7-Dec | Wed | Mislingford, Wickham |
| 8-Dec | Thu | Upham & Owlesbury |
| 9-Dec | Fri | Droxford |
| 10-Dec | Sat | Wickham Square |
| 12-Dec | Mon | Curdridge & Waltham Chase |
| 13-Dec | Tue | Warnford & West Meon |
| 14-Dec | Wed | Soberton & Soberton Heath |
| 15-Dec | Thu | Owslebury & Upham |
| 16-Dec | Fri | Soberton Heath, Hambledon |
| 17-Dec | Sat | Budgens & High St B/Waltham |
| 19-Dec | Mon | Shirrell Heath & Shedfield |
| 20-Dec | Tue | Soberton to Meonstoke |
| 21-Dec | Wed | Swanmore East |
| 22-Dec | Thu | Swanmore West |
| 23-Dec | Fri | Exton, Corhampton |
The Lions will be accompanying Father Christmas around the towns and villages of the Meon Valley looking to beat our 2010 charity collection total of £3,665. Last year saw some truly challenging weather with snow and ice and freezing temperatures hampering procedures, so this year it's fingers crossed for more clement conditions
