Christopher Biggins

WHB TWINNING ASSOCIATION

We had an excellent attendance at our AGM on 3rd November, almost 40 members turned out to hear our Chairman, Peter M, Secretary, Peter R, and Treasurer, Russell, account for the current, very good state of our association and then on to the serious business of wine and nibbles and catching up with Twinning friends. Peter R has found us a very good coach deal for visiting our French counterparts in La Pommeraye and Montjean-

sur-Loire, 9-15th August 2023

and, at time of writing, we’re well on the way to getting our 30 members to make this possible. We shall be visiting and spending the night near Giverny en route to see Monet’s gardens there, one of the many highlights, I’m sure. Before then, we are organising our usual post-Christmas dinner in January at the Bridge restaurant in Wroxham: details to members about that soon. There is also a Quiz and Supper evening to look forward to in March, which our new quiz masters, Roger and George, are busy preparing. Hopefully, if we still have enough boat owners, we can reinstate our popular flotilla outing on the Broads in May or June. Book Club continues on the third Wednesday of the month and November was Marie’s choice of “The Midnight Hour” by Elly Griffiths. This month it’s Sheila’s turn for “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernadine Everisto on 21st and some of our book club members and longsuffering partners are going out for a Christmas lunch that day too: let’s hope we can stay awake for the evening meeting! Pat can get copies of most of our books from Wroxham library, who are always very helpful, and can supply more information for now on 01603 782375 or pat.barkergreen@btinternet.com. For any more information please contact us, via Peter, on 01603 782733 or peter_c_milsted@talk21.com

WROXHAM AND HOVETON LIONS CLUB

Christmas is not far away and we are pleased to say that the sleigh is now ready, having been converted from generator to battery power. Santa has sent us his list of visits for this year, which are as follows: Thurs 1st Dec - Tunstead School, 5pm to 6.30pm Fri 2nd Dec - Wroxham Sat 3rd Dec - Lidl North Walsham 9am to 5pm Sun 4th Dec - Lidl North Walsham 10am to 4pm Mon 5th Dec - Salhouse Wed 7th Dec - Douglas Bader School 5pm to 8pm Thurs 8th Dec - Hoveton Sat 10th Dec - Roys Dept Store Hoveton - 9am to 5pm Sun 11th Dec - Roys Dept Store Hoveton - 10am to 4pm Mon 12th Dec - Rackheath Primary 2.30 & Hoveton (Eve) Wed 14th Dec - Coltishall Thurs 15th Dec - Horstead Sat 17th Dec - Roys Dept Store Hoveton -9am to 5pm Sun 18th Dec - Tesco Stalham 10am to 4pm Mon 19th Dec - Tesco Stalham 9am to 5pm Wed 21st Dec - Rackheath. Please be advised that the above dates are weather dependant. We will post on our Facebook page on the day of the visits, should any cancellation be necessary, because of inclement conditions. Our annual presentation night was held on November 15th, at which we donated £6750-00 to 26 different organisations in our region, which was great fully received by all the representatives who attended. We have also donated £1000-00 to Broadland Youth and Community Centre, for the purchase of a top of the range DEFIBRILLATOR. This is now fitted and ready to use, which of course, we hope never happens, but what a great asset to have for our village. Please tell all your friends the location, in case it is ever needed. Just a gentle reminder. Please let us keep a watch on our vulnerable and elderly neighbours as we go into the winter months. We are pleased that two of our local primary schools (in Rackheath and Coltishall) are participating in the “Lions Roar Competition 2022”, which is run to encourage young children to come up with innovative ideas to help the environment and save the planet. Our charity shop continues to be busy and we still need your donations, especially bric-a-brac. So, if you are having a sort out, or downsizing, would you please consider us. You can drop items in at the shop, or alternatively ring them on 01603 783737 or myself on 07850 091570 and we can arrange collection. All the monies raised by the shop and our other activities, go towards helping other charities and deserving causes in our local community, as well as assisting with any disasters either nationally or internationally, through the Lions Clubs International Foundation, of which we are part. If you have any spare time and feel you would like to put it to good use and give something back into your community, why not think about joining us. We are always looking for and welcome new members. If you are interested, please give me a call 07850 091570 or contact our membership chair-person Lion Lydia Spight via our “Learn More” link on web site www.wroxhamandhovetonlions.org Lastly, may I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! Lion President Terry Vout