THE Lions Club of Crediton and District made three presentations for service to the community at its meeting on Tuesday, December 12, one of them to the “Crediton Courier” newspaper.

Crediton Lions President Peter Bryan welcomed everyone to the meeting held at Housing 21, Newcombes, Crediton.

He introduced Immediate Past President Lion Eric Parkes, who said that during the last year it had been the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International and the 40th anniversary of the Lions Club of Crediton and District.

He explained that on December 17, the Crediton Club would celebrate the 41st anniversary since it became chartered, adding that he was the sole surviving member since that time.

AWARD TO THE ‘CREDITON COURIER’

He said that during his term of office last year he had been invited to recognise people that should be congratulated on their efforts within the community and said that the first recipient was the “Crediton Courier”.

“The ‘Crediton Courier’ has been with us, and supported us, since the day the Lions Club of Crediton and District began.

“The newspaper helps the public in the area and a few years ago we (The Lions Club of Crediton and District) took over the Crediton Talking Newspaper service, which is read from the pages of the ‘Crediton Courier’ by Lions and volunteers.

“More than 50 people currently receive the ‘Courier’ through the Talking Newspaper service and it is a great success.

“The ‘Courier’ helps by publicising our events, attending and taking photographs when we do things such as fundraising or charity initiatives.”

Mr Parkes continued: “This award is a Lions Clubs International Centennial Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Community.

“It is signed by HRH The Countess of Wessex, Patron of the Lions Clubs of the British Isles, and was actually signed by her at Buckingham Palace.”

Sean Constable, “Crediton Courier” General Manager, received the Award from both Lions Eric Parkes and Peter Bryan.

He said: “The ‘Courier’ began in 1974 and we have had a close association with Crediton Lions since it began 41 years ago.

“The Lions is a great organisation and we are pleased to support it because of the work it does in the town and elsewhere.

“I am pleased to accept this on behalf of all the staff at the ‘Courier’ including former editor Sue Read, and the late Fred Saunders who was also a help to the ‘Courier’ in the past.”

JUDITH HARRIS

Mr Parkes then spoke about the next Centennial Certificate of Appreciation recipient, Judith Harris.

He said that Judith was being recognised for all the work that she does for the Guides movement in Crediton and further afield and her hard work over the years.

“I am extremely grateful to her for her help to me with the Lions International Young Ambassador contest and in finding Beth Bowring who won the South West competition and went on to represent the South West in the national finals and did tremendously well.

“Please accept this in gratitude for all you do.”

Judith, a Guide Leader with the Third Crediton Guides and Crediton Rangers and newly-appointed District Commissioner for Crediton District Guides, said that Crediton Guides currently had 60 Guides in the Crediton unit and 145 young members across the seven groups and also had a waiting list.

Judith told the “Courier” that her mother had previously run Crediton Guides and she had joined Crediton Brownies when she was aged just seven.

She explained that she had been a Guiding member ever since, even while at University in Lancaster, Barnt Green, Worcestershire and Leamington Spa before returning to Crediton four-and-a-half years ago.

She said Guiding was a team effort and said that she was proud that young people were doing good things in their community through the Guides.

She added that she hoped Crediton Guides could find another Beth to enter in the Young Ambassador contest in the future.

ROSS ANDREWS

Mr Parkes then spoke about the next award recipient, Ross Andrews of Urban and Rural Tree Services of Crediton.

He said that Mr Andrews had helped the club celebrate the centenary anniversary by donating an oak tree, which was planted in People’s Park in Crediton.

Mr Parkes thanked Mr Andrews for his help with negotiations with the Town Council and Lions and assistance in planting the tree.

Mr Andrews was presented with an engraved glass award in recognition of his service and in reply said that he was surprised and delighted to receive it and said that he was there should the Lions wish to call on his services again in the future.