Community Activities
Shirley Carnival
Record crowds enjoyed glorious weather to turn out in force for this year's Shirley Carnival. The Carnival held in Shirley Park on Saturday 9th July was officially opened by Lorely Burt M.P. and was started off by the Shirley Pipe Band who marched into the Park from the Stratford Road and into the main arena where they gave a sparkling display. The activity continued with performances from the Dance Academy, the Silver Shadow Majorettes and the Village Hotel Leisure Club's Combat Class. Children enjoyed the numerous rides, the Magic Show and Punch & Judy together with a number of activities provided by our comperes for the day - Foxy and Guliano from BRMB Radio. With over 60 stalls in attendance ranging from tombolas to paintball to tin can alleys to a Bonsai demonstration the crowd were kept entertained throughout the day. The main beneficiary of the funds raised at the Carnival was "Brains Trust" and a cheque for £3,000 was duly presented to them.
The 2012 Carnival will take place on Saturday 14th July and we are please to announce that we have received major sponsorship towards the event from Transforming U
Shirley Pensioner's New Year Party
This year's party was held on Saturday 7th January 2012 when approaching 200 Shirley pensioners enjoyed an afternoon of good food, good company and good entertainment at the Shirley Community Centre. The format of the party is that things started off at 1.00 p.m. with a traditional fish and chips meal. Thereafter the entertainment commenced. To give the performers a break a couple of games of Bingo were run during the intermission and the Lions performed their Brummie version of the pantomime Snow White, condensed to just 5 minutes. The afternoon concluded with the drawing of the Grand Raffle at approximately 3.30 p.m. Numbers are limited to 200 elderly residents of Shirley and if you would like to attend next year's party please contact Lion Mavis Cooke on 0845 833 9547.
Message in a Bottle
The Lions Message in a Bottle scheme is a simple idea designed to encourage people to keep their personal and medical deatils on a standard form and in a common location - the fridge. Whilst it is focused on vunerable people in our community, anyone can have an accident at home, so this scheme can benefit anyone, including you. Simply complete the details on the form, put it in the bottle and place in the door compartment of your fridge. The Emergency Services will know to look for it in the event of being called to your home as they will be alerted by the two special Green Emergency/Green Cross stickers on the fridge door and inside your front door. As at the beginning of February 22,000 bottles had been distributed throughout Solihull. For further information or to request a bottle please contact Lion Martin Wright on 0845 833 9547.
.JPG "Lorely Burt helps out on the Lions Message in a Bottle stand(1)")
Used spectacles
Over the past 13 years and up to 30th June 2011 Shirley Lions had collected in excess of 81,000 pairs of old, used or broken spectacles. These are repaired, sorted and graded before being shipped out to third world countries where they are able to make such a difference to someone's sight. For the year 1st July 2010 to 30th June 2011 3,148 pairs were collected. We are now extending this scheme by collecting old, used or broken hearing aids and so far have 12 ready for shipment. To donate your old spectacles or hearing aids please contact Lion Eric Morris on 0845 833 9547. Alternately spectacles can be dropped off at the following collection points in and around Shirley :-
Opticians - Boots, Pikes, Sims, Waddams and Direct Specs
Libraries - Shirley, Hall Green and Dickens Heath
GPs - Haslucks Sugery and Shirley Clinic
Community Centres - Shirley and Dickens Heath
Schools - Haslucks Green, Burman, Cranmore, Widney, Shirley Heath and Lady of the Wayside
Medic Alert is the only non-profit making, registered charity providing a life-saving identification system for individuals with hidden medical conditions and allergies. This takes the form of body-worn bracelets or necklets (known as Medic Alert Emblems) bearing the Medic Alert symbol on the disc and supported by a 24-hour emergency telephone service. Each member receives an Emblem that is engraved with the wearer's main medical condition(s) or vital details, a personal ID number and a 24-hour emergency telephone number that can access their details from anywhere in the world in over 100 languages. Shirley Lions Club actively supports and promotes the organisation within the community and where possible provides people on limited income with sponsorship towards membership. For further information please contact Lion Eric Morris on 0845 833 9547.
