At the most recent meeting of Retford Lions, members welcomed a presentation from Jennifer Whittington of Baby Basics. This charity supports vulnerable families with newborns by providing Moses baskets filled with essential items for both baby and birthing parent. These donations offer vital help to families in need, easing financial pressures at a critical time. Following Jennifer’s inspiring talk, members voted unanimously to support the charity.
Continuing their community-focused CPR training initiative, the club has purchased ten new manikins and arranged a training session for Elkesley Parish Council. The Lions will continue offering CPR training to any interested local groups – one of the club’s proudest and most impactful achievements.
In November, Lions members could be found in Morrisons collecting for the Royal British Legion, and as part of the town’s remembrance commemorations, they were again marshalling the square on Sunday 9th November. Preparations are also well underway for the festive season. The club’s famous sleigh is being upgraded with new lighting and a refreshed sound system, ready for its first appearance at the Christmas Lights Switch-On event on Sunday 23rd November. Santa will be in his grotto from 12.00pm that day, delighting families and children alike. On Sunday 30th November he will then be back to help with the Tuxford lights switch-on at 5.25pm.
The full December route and schedule for Santa and his sleigh is below, and for those eager to track his progress in real time, live updates will be available via the Lions’ app.
- Sunday 7th – The Green in Blyth at 5.15pm: Retford: Trinity Fields Road, Mapletoft Court, Dowbiggin Place.
- Monday 8th – Retford: Rectors Gate, Northfield Way, West Furlong, Leafield (South).
- Tuesday 9th – Retford Leisure Centre: Then White Park Place, Black Hereford Way.
- Wednesday 10th – Retford: Gala Way, Jenkins Avenue, Meden Way, Thrumpton Close, Whinney Moor Close.
- Thursday 11th – 4.25pm at The Square: Then Grace Road, Trent Bridge Road, Edgbaston Drive, Headingley Road.
- Friday 12th – Retford: Morrisons 10.00am to 6.00pm.
- Saturday 13th – 4.30pm at Markham Village Hall. Tuxford: Burleigh Close, Orchard Crescent, Lexington Gardens. Elkesley: Outside Lawnwood Lane shop.
- Sunday 14th – Retford: Blossom Grove, Bacopa Drive, Snowden Drive, Caledonian Road, Holy Mount.
- Monday 15th – Tuxford: Clinton Gardens, Linden Avenue, Faraday Avenue, Fleming Avenue.
- Tuesday 16th – Retford: Cherry Holt, Leafield (North), Trinity Road, Sandringham Road.
- Wednesday 17th – Retford: Heathfield Gardens, Oakdale Road, Camborne Crescent.
- Thursday 18th – Retford: ASDA (Chancery Lane) 10.00am to 6.00pm.
- Friday 19th – Retford: Forester Gardens, Farrier Way, Francis Way, Cuthbert Place and Henry Mews. Clarborough: Celery
- Meadows, Broad Gores and St John’s Drive.
- Saturday 20th – Carolgate: 8.30am to 3.30pm.
- Sunday 21st – Retford: Hirst Road, Springfield Road, Holmes Road.