AT THE FINAL meeting of the Lions Club of Bude and Stratton, Lion Tony Barnes was presented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship. This was presented to him by the Vice District Governor of the South West, Lion Christine Rowe.

This is the highest honour of the Lions Clubs International Foundation, and was awarded to him for his dedication and service to Lions Clubs both locally and nationally.

He has been a member of the Lions Club of Bude and Stratton for over 25 years. During this time he has continuously helped the local community and fund raised tirelessly for local, national and international charities.

He has also for many years served as an Officer on the District and Multiple District Councils, specialising in the needs of sight, speech and hearing and is currently the District Officer for the promotion of alcohol and drug awareness in schools.

All Melvin Jones Fellows have their names on a rotating list in the Melvin Jones Fellows room at the Lions Clubs International Headquarters at Oak Brook, Illinois.

Sadly due to falling numbers the Lions Club of Bude and Stratton has been forced to close, and at their last meeting the remaining charitable funds were distributed to the following organisations: Children's Hospice South West, Pathfields Day Centre, Bude Compre­hensive School, Connect, Bude Toy Library, The Sunshine Club, The After School Club, Stratton Hospital League of Friends, Sharks Swimming Club, Bude Surf Club Nippers, Bude and Stratton Friendly Society, Delabole School, Cornwall Air Ambulance.

After the payment of all outstanding expenses the residue of the administration account will be added to the donation to Children's Hospice South West.

The members regret the closure of the club, and some members are transferring to other clubs in the area.

They would like to thank everyone in the community for their support over the past 36 years, without whose valuable support the club would not have been able to help so many worthwhile causes, both locally, nationally and internationally.

Vice District Governor Lion Christine Rowe thanked all members for all their work and for being a Lion, which has enabled the Lions Club to help so many people and organisations in the Bude area, and said that she was very sad to see the demise of the club, but she hoped that the members stayed in touch with each other and that maybe a new club could be started in the future.