News
March 2024
Hook & Odiham Lions Club and Loddon Valley Lions Club Joint Charter Anniversary Celebration
Hook & Odiham Lions and Loddon Valley Lions Clubs recently held a joint celebration at the Wellington Arms Hotel in Stratfield Turgis to commemorate their respective 38th and 48th Charter Anniversaries and to honour long serving members.
The celebration was attended by members from both Lions Clubs, the Acting District Governor of District 105 South Central, representatives from other Lions Clubs and guest of honour The Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane, Cllr David Leeks together with his wife.
Between the two Clubs, 8 Lions were awarded service chevrons for a collective total of 195 years of service. From Loddon Valley Lions Club: Lions Ian Hellem for 40 years, Iain Aldridge for 25 years, Bob Prevost for 15 years and Eddie McGrath for 10 years. From Hook & Odiham Lions Club: Lions Bryan Hailstone for 40 years, Graham Botwright for 25 years, Terry Cheesman for 25 years and Kevin Oliver for 15 years.
In addition to their 25 year chevrons, Lions Graham Botwright and Terry Cheesman were also presented with the Melvin Jones Fellowship award by Acting District Governor Lion Sandra Manktelow. The Melvin Jones Fellowship was created in 1973 and takes its name from the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones, and was established as Lions Clubs International Foundation's (LCIF) highest form of recognition to acknowledge an individual's dedication to humanitarian service. Lions Terry and Graham have both served their Club in exemplar manners with each taking part in all activities and holding leadership roles multiple times.
Also during the ceremony, Cllr David Leeks was presented with a cheque for £1,000 by Loddon Valley Lions Club to support his Charities which are Citizens Advice in Basingstoke and Tadley and Shopmobility Basingstoke and ADG Lion Sandra Manktelow was presented with a cheque for £250 by Hook and Odiham Lions Club to support the charity Children's Hospices.
