May As previously noted, collection buckets were in place during the VE Day beacon event. The donations received on that occasion have been transferred to the Royal British Legion to assist with covering the expenses associated with organising the VE Day commemorations in the town.

The annual Duck Race was a splendid occasion: great fun for all the family and over £2000 raised, which was split between Shipston Home Nursing and Young Anglers. This event relied heavily on its sponsors to cover initial costs, so huge thanks are extended to The Fuzzy Duck who were our Headline Sponsors, and also to the many other businesses in town who sponsored races or entered the Duck Derby where the mallards raced instead of the little yellow ducks.

Thank you to everyone for your support, as a sponsor, as a punter or as a spectator: the atmosphere was tremendous and we cannot wait until next year's event!

June The Stour Valley Lions Club undertook a number of community engagements during June. In addition to hosting a well-attended Community Film Evening, members participated in local festivities, including providing unicorn rides and balloon modelling at the Esmere Gardens Summer Party, and supporting the Shipston Lodge Summer Fête with gladiator games and circus skills activities.

Forthcoming Activities – July and Beyond July is anticipated to be a quieter month, allowing time for ongoing preparations and planning. A Book Sale is scheduled to take place on the 19th at the Scout Hut. Additionally, organisational work is underway for two key events: a Bingo evening on 16th August, and the Shipston Food Festival, which will be held on Sunday, 14th September, in the High Street and Market Place. Over 38 traders have confirmed their attendance, and we are pleased to announce that Rikki Hansel will once again provide music to accompany the afternoon’s proceedings.

Support Our Fundraising Efforts Would you be interested in helping to make our fundraising events a success or in supporting our ongoing work? We would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact us on 0345 833 2835 or visit www.stourvalleylionsevents.club/contact to learn how you can get involved or sponsor an event.

Sponsorship opportunities start from as little as £50, which could see your company’s name associated with one of our popular Community Film Evenings or Bumper Book Sales. All sponsors are recognised through our social media channels and, where appropriate, on printed promotional materials.

As our “Lion Year” runs from July to July, we’d like to share some changes for the year ahead.

WHAT’S NEW?

There’s been a reshuffle in roles, and we’re pleased to introduce the new Committee:

· President: Duncan Cashmore (returning to the role)

· Vice-President & Treasurer: Paul Macpherson

· Secretary: Richard Moyles

· Activities Team Leader: Suzanne Jeffries

· Welfare Team Leader: Peter Cowley

WHAT HASN’T CHANGED?

Our unwavering commitment to supporting the people of the Stour Valley area remains stronger than ever. We continue to raise and distribute funds efficiently to local causes.

Our popular events are also continuing:

· 9 August – Transport-Themed Book Stall at the Brailes Show

· 16 August – Family Bingo Night at the Townsend Hall (In memory of Boyd Sabin, fondly remembered by many)

· 5 September – Community Film Night at the Townsend Hall (Film title to be confirmed)

· 14 September – Shipston Food Festival on the High Street and Market Place (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM), featuring familiar faces and exciting new vendors

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

In 2024–25, we awarded grants to 10 local groups through our annual “Lions Den” initiative. If you're part of a local group seeking support, details for 2025–26 applications are available on our website: https://www.stourvalleylionsevents.club/fundingapplication. You'll also find photos from recent events there.

We invite you to explore the site and consider joining us. We're an inclusive, welcoming group, open to all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Together, we’re making a real difference in our beautiful community.

As the end of the Lions’ financial year approaches, we granted over £6000 to a variety of local causes and projects at the recent "Lions Den". Look out as we feature the details of these on our Facebook page.
All profits raised by our events are granted to charitable causes with over 90% going to local organisations or individuals in need in Shipston and its surrounding areas. However, we could not achieve this without the generosity of local businesses and organisations. We are always grateful for any support whether through sponsoring, providing raffle prizes, taking part in special events, displaying our posters or anything that helps us to increase the amount of money we raise – and pass on to our community.
Thank you to the businesses that support us year-round: The PiR Partnership on Stratford Road have examined our accounts; the Co-Op in the High Street allow us to sell raffle tickets and the Easter Egg Draw in their shop; The George Townhouse provides space for our meetings; The Flower House in Market Place sell tickets for our monthly Community Film Evening and Shipston Town Council provide a Community Grant to cover some of the costs of putting on the Shipston Food Festival. Over 20 other businesses and organisations have provided raffle prizes or sponsored us, and these are listed on our website at https://www.stourvalleylionsevents.club/sponsoring.
If you are interested in supporting our efforts, please consider sponsoring an event. One of our regular Community Film Evenings or Bumper Book Sales could bear your company’s name from as little as £50; a race at the annual Duck Race on May 18th could be named after your company; or you could donate a prize for our Summer or Christmas raffle. In every case, you can be assured that your name will be promoted through our social media and on print material where appropriate. If you want to help us in any way, please contact us

Last month we shone a spotlight on some of the wonderful local companies who regularly support our events through financial sponsorship and in-kind help, as well as detailing how you or your company can help us to raise money for our community.

But where does the money go?

In late March we held our annual Lions’ Den, where grants are awarded to local groups and organisations to help them further their aims with the Stour Valley community. This year the Club received a record 20 bids for funding. All of them were carefully scrutinised by the Club's Welfare Team, which recommended 10 out of the 20 Bids for approval.

Stour Valley Lions President Paul Macpherson says “the club is proud to be able to support these wonderful local causes. Their stories are humbling and the commitment of their volunteers is amazing.”

Awards were made as follows:

Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership received funds to host a 2-course lunch with entertainment for the residents of Shipston on Stour to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8th May 2025.

Shipston Excelsior Pan-disability football club received a donation towards training shirts, tracksuits and Match Day kits for new young people – look for our logo next time you watch them train or play.

Newbold and Tredington Parents Teachers Friends Association asked for money to go towards a defibrillator on the Newbold school site.

Shipston Junior Angling Club needed storage capacity for tackle, equipment and work tools for bank clearing and maintenance. We were happy to provide funds to help them acquire a container.

Tysoe Village Hall Trust are currently refurbishing the kitchen to enhance the facilities available to the community and asked for our help to purchase a fridge freezer.

Shipston Area Flood Action Group (SAFAG) will use their award to produce and distribute an educational/flood advice leaflet in high-risk areas.

The Warm Hub cookery lessons (part of Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership) now have suitable equipment for twice monthly lessons at the Warm Hub.

Carers4Carers asked for financial support towards the cost of providing their Carer Wellbeing Programme, monthly newsletter and telephone.

Shipston Book Fest sought assistance with book events at the schools.

Shipston Sports Bowls Club needed a Green Sprayer to help improve the bowling surface – we were happy to match the funds they had aleady raised themselves.

Would you like to help us make our fundraising events happen? The next one is Bingo on Saturday 16th August: call us on 0345 833 2835 or go to https://www.stourvalleylionsevents.club/contact to find out how you could get involved.

As the end of the Lions’ financial year approaches, we granted over £6000 to a variety of local causes and projects at the recent "Lions Den". Look out as we feature the details of these on our Facebook page.

All profits raised by our events are granted to charitable causes with over 90% going to local organisations or individuals in need in Shipston and its surrounding areas. However, we could not achieve this without the generosity of local businesses and organisations. We are always grateful for any support whether through sponsoring, providing raffle prizes, taking part in special events, displaying our posters or anything that helps us to increase the amount of money we raise – and pass on to our community.

Thank you to the businesses that support us year-round: The PiR Partnership on Stratford Road have examined our accounts; the Co-Op in the High Street allow us to sell raffle tickets and the Easter Egg Draw in their shop; The George Townhouse provides space for our meetings; The Flower House in Market Place sell tickets for our monthly Community Film Evening and Shipston Town Council provide a Community Grant to cover some of the costs of putting on the Shipston Food Festival. Over 20 other businesses and organisations have provided raffle prizes or sponsored us, and these are listed on our website at https://www.stourvalleylionsevents.club/sponsoring.

If you are interested in supporting our efforts, please consider sponsoring an event. One of our regular Community Film Evenings or Bumper Book Sales could bear your company’s name from as little as £50; a race at the annual Duck Race on May 18th could be named after your company; or you could donate a prize for our Summer or Christmas raffle. In every case, you can be assured that your name will be promoted through our social media and on print material where appropriate. If you want to help us in any way, please contact our Sponsor Coordinator Duncan Cashmore on 07984986350

March was a good month for distributing the monies that you helped us raise!

Our 'Shipston Gold Cup' Race Night on 8th March was an outstanding success and the Townsend Hall was packed out with people helping us raise money for Stratford Riding for the Disabled - thank you to everyone who came and had a flutter. Thanks are also extended to Shipston Lodge Nursing Home for catering the event and especially to the local businesses below who sponsored the races:

Community Case Management Ltd
The Howard Arms
The Rotary Club of Shipston
Shipston Chiropractic and Wellbeing Centre
Storm-Geomatics
The Track House
Tippers

We also announced the recipients of the Lions’ Den grants for 2025: all are organisations within the Stour Valley which support community and wellbeing and their grant monies were presented at the Catholic Church Hall at 7pm on 27th March.

There would be no funds available if you, your friends and neighbours did not support the events that we put on – once again, we thank you for your generosity and your community spirit.

In April we will be raffling our special Easter eggs at the “Big” Co-Op on Saturday 5th and holding another Book Sale on Saturday 12th in the Scout Hut.

Please note there will be no April film.

Would you like to help us make these events happen? The next one is the Duck Race on Sunday 18th May: call us on 0345 833 2835 or go to https://www.stourvalleylionsevents.club/contact to find out how to help.

Since the last edition of the Forum, we have organised a Bingo evening in the Townsend Hall, restarted the Community Film Evening, and held a Book Sale. We appreciate all who attended these events as your support enables us to continue activities such as the Lion’s Den later this month, where we provide local groups across the Stour Valley with funding. Next month, we will list all the successful applicants and share their stories.

Upcoming fundraising events include:

Gold Cup Race Night: 8th March in the Townsend Hall. This event will raise funds for Stratford Riding for the Disabled group. Details on how to get tickets can be found in the advertisement in this issue. Tickets include a hot meal, and a bar will be available. Why not come as a family or with friends? Tables of 8 are available at a special rate.

Towards the end of March, we once again bring out our giant Easter eggs. You can win one of these via 100-square draws in several local pubs and we will also be raffling two eggs in the large Co-op in Shipston on Saturday 5th April. All funds raised will go to local causes.

Future events include the Duck Race, another Bingo evening, and the Shipston Food Festival on 14th September.

January saw the Senior Residents’ Film afternoon, with tickets kindly hosted by The Flower Shop. We assembled in the Townsend Hall to watch Hampstead (what a cast!) and have tea and cake. On a miserable winter afternoon, it was a truly convivial place to be.

Another January event is a new venture for us: 18th January will see the inaugural Stour Valley Lions Bingo evening. More details in the next issue.

Immediate Past President Duncan receiving the Lions Club Excellence Award on behalf of Stour Valley Lions for his year 2023/24. One of only three Lions Clubs in our District to be honoured for Service, Membership Growth and Fundraising projects

Days are distinctly shorter and most of the landscape maintenance has been completed with the addition of a new bench at Stour Court and the final tidy-up of the revamped Gyratory memorial gardens. We were delighted that Shipston Home Nursing chose this site for the white Letters to Heaven post box and also that the Royal British Legion held an emotional re-opening ceremony of the gardens as a memorial to all who have served in war – rather appropriately - on Armistice Day at 11am, just after the Bugler played the ‘Last Post’.
The book fair on 2nd November was another great success, with hundreds of visitors, all of whom seemed to find something to interest them: it is the money raised at events like this that go towards funding local groups and causes. Did you notice the Lions logo on the Pickleball posters? We have been able to bring this to Shipston by helping to fund the hire of the Townsend Hall. We also provided funds to kit out the Shipston Excelsior Pan Disability Football team.
We are always on the lookout to provide funds to support local good causes and people most in need and once again, we have launched our ‘Lions’ Den’. This initiative is open for applications from local charities, groups and individuals. All we ask is that bids have a strong civic, youth or welfare element and meet the public benefit criteria. Those wishing to bid for our support, please complete and the application form which is available online or to download: click on the link at www.stourvalleylionsevents.club or the QR code on our advert in this issue. We will be in touch with you shortly after receiving your application to give you details of the process and your request will be considered by our Welfare Committee. If you need help completing the form, please contact us.

Days are distinctly shorter and most of the landscape maintenance has been completed with the addition of a new bench at Stour Court and the final tidy-up of the revamped Gyratory memorial gardens. We were delighted that Shipston Home Nursing chose this site for the white Letters to Heaven post box and also that the Royal British Legion held an emotional re-opening ceremony of the gardens as a memorial to all who have served in war – rather appropriately - on Armistice Day at 11am, just after the Bugler played the ‘Last Post’.
The book fair on 2nd November was another great success, with hundreds of visitors, all of whom seemed to find something to interest them: it is the money raised at events like this that go towards funding local groups and causes. Did you notice the Lions logo on the Pickleball posters? We have been able to bring this to Shipston by helping to fund the hire of the Townsend Hall. We also provided funds to kit out the Shipston Excelsior Pan Disability Football team.
We are always on the lookout to provide funds to support local good causes and people most in need and once again, we have launched our ‘Lions’ Den’. This initiative is open for applications from local charities, groups and individuals. All we ask is that bids have a strong civic, youth or welfare element and meet the public benefit criteria. Those wishing to bid for our support, please complete and the application form which is available online or to download: click on the link at www.stourvalleylionsevents.club or the QR code on our advert in this issue. We will be in touch with you shortly after receiving your application to give you details of the process and your request will be considered by our Welfare Committee. If you need help completing the form, please contact us.

As summer draws into autumn, Stour Valley Lions seem to have spent a lot of time in the garden, focusing on two main projects: the Gyratory gardens and the gardens at Stour Court.
You may well have read and seen our social media posts about the gyratory gardens, the upkeep of which was provided for by a legacy. The entire area has been redesigned, returfed and replanted, with new more accessible paths put in and the project should be completely finished by mid-November. We owe a debt of gratitude to Louise Hart of Hart Garden for her design and for giving her time and services completely free, and also to KA Perkin for the landscaping and paving. People like this make it possible for us to serve our community better.
We have been assisting with the upkeep of the garden at Stour Court for the past four years and as part of the ongoing improvements, our hardy volunteers have dismantled and disposed of a rickety pergola, cleared and restocked two large planters with fruit trees, herbs and bulbs and a new bench will follow soon. A new bench will also appear at Badger Crescent to replace the one dismantled recently.
Film nights continue to be a draw, especially on rainy Friday nights: the November film (Friday 8th) will be The Fall Guy with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt (cert 12), but there will be no film in December as the Drama Group have their pantomime.
Following the success of the last two resurrected book sales, the next one will be on November 2nd in the Scout Hut – we have received a huge number of donations, so rest assured that there will be something new to suit every taste.