ON a day that began with spats of snow through the morning all over the South West, almost 60 people from various parts of the area gathered at Crediton that evening for the 39th Charter Anniversary dinner of the Lions Club of Crediton and District.

Held at Downes Crediton Golf Club, there were members of Exeter, Exeter West, Tiverton, Okehampton, Launceston and Crewkerne Lions Clubs and their guests.

Everyone was welcomed by Crediton Lion Peter Bryan, a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest accolade in Lionism. Grace was said by Crediton Lion Di Hammett.

Crediton’s President Lion Eric Parkes (also a Melvin Jones Fellow), gave the Loyal Toast and proposed the one to Lions Clubs International.

A highly amusing response was given by District Governor for the South West Lion Fred Broom (a Melvin Jones Fellow and member of Crewkerne Lions).

The toast to partners and guest was given by Crediton Lion Tony Fitzwalter, a past president of the club.

Responding was the guest speaker, Val Bugden-Cawsey from Launceston whose talk on “Growing Old Disgracefully” was hilarious.

Adding to the humour of the evening was Peter Cripps of North Tawton who spoke about being a trumpeter at the Queen’s Coronation in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.

He had begun playing the trumpet when he was seven, enlisted with the Army as a boy musician, trained at Kneller Hall Royal Military School of Music and was the youngest player at the Coronation.

He was a Bandmaster in the Army for many years, played with many leading musicians and joined Crediton Town Band on retiring to Devon.

Crediton Lions are already planning for their 40th anniversary Charter Night. Over the years they have raised many thousands of pounds for charities.

These have included raising funds for defibrillators, the Message in a Bottle scheme which is still running highly successfully and producing the weekly Talking News for people with impaired or no sight.

Thanks were given to Dave Wills Catering staff at the golf club.

Sue Read