Calne Lions

14/10/2026

Do you knit, crochet or sew? Then Calne Lions needs you!

We have joined a national Lions' project - Caps of Courage - which creates and provides knitted or crocheted hats and other hand crafted items to some of the 18,000 young people currently undergoing cancer treatment in this country.

We are inviting anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting or sewing and has some time on their hands to be a Sewing Hero and help us!

Little Button Jar are partnering with us on this project. They have copies of the patterns, are happy to offer advice and are also our Collection Hub for completed items.

More information can be found on the official Caps of Courage website - www.capsofcourage.com or by joining the Facebook group "Caps of Courage Sewing Heroes" where patterns can also be found.

We have already delivered our first 11 hats to Swindon Lions (who are co-ordinating the local deliveries to hospitals) but we are hoping to create many more to support this amazing initiative.

10/10/2026

Calne Lions and our Duck Race was the subject of a Calne WordFest poem!!

Today, it's the turn of a local institution... The Calne Duck Race!
In the national year of reading, Calne Wordfest is sharing a poem a day throughout October. These poems, (mostly triolets - see comments for more) written by local poets are a celebration of the different jobs and workplaces in our little town, and also look at some memorable local places both past and present. We hope you enjoy reading them.

Poem number 10 is pictured on a post it note, and is written by Nick Wells.

Calne Lions

Lions Racing Ducks

These ducks along the Marden bob and flow.
Proud Lions in the waves keep them in line.
A lad in waders struggles, face aglow,
whilst ducks along the Marden bob and flow.
Bob made the Bike Meet one. It’s just sublime.
That Brownies’ one was made by little Flo.
These ducks along the Marden bob and flow.
Proud Lions in the waves keep them in line.

Nick Wells

09/10/2026

It was Calne Lions' October meeting this week. In addition to agreeing on a number of grants for local groups, details of which we will be sharing in upcoming months, and continuing our preparations for Christmas, we had a couple of presentations to make.

Lion Alison was presented with a special badge to reflect her having sponsored 2 new Lions when they were badged up.

Finally, we were happy to be able to add another Lion to the Club. Lion President Jonathan and Sponsor Lion Phil badged new member Paul up.

Welcome to the Club, Lion Paul!

08/10/2026

Calne Lions is known for its fundraising through Santa and Duck Race. We are, however, a service organisation, meaning we also like to actively go out into the community and be more hands on.

Last month, members of the Club undertook special training with Lions Sight UK, learning how to go into local schools and use specialized equipment to conduct quick, non-invasive screenings on children. If a vision issue is detected referrals are then provided to local eye care professionals, for a follow up.

Having completed the training our vision volunteers are preparing to visit local schools. Two schools have already agreed to vision testing and we have meetings with further schools to discuss the initiative. Calne Lions are excited to get started helping safeguard the sight of children in our community.

07/10/2026

World Sight Day is a chance to turn the spotlight on the importance of eye care. Calne Lions fully support this with several initiatives the Club are involved with.

For many years, we have participated in a national Lions campaign to collect old glasses so that they can be recycled and repurposed.
Suitable glasses are sent for recycling then forwarded on to various charities based in the UK and abroad, who give them out to those in need.

If you have any old glasses you no longer need, we now have collection points in both Odette’s Funeral Directors and Haine & Smith Opticians, Calne.

06/10/2026

World Sight Day, on Thursday, 8 October 2026, is an opportunity to turn the worlds’ gaze towards the importance of eye care that is accessible, available and affordable to all.

Keep an eye out this week for posts explaining some of the things Calne Lions are doing to encourage everyone to .

01/10/2026

9 years ago this week Calne's bronze pigs were stolen from their prime spot in town. Thankfully they were found, quickly. They had been damaged by the thieves but Calne Lions were proud to pay for them to be repaired and reinstalled. Then Calne Lions President, Rachel was invited to help unveil them with Mayor Tony Trotman.

23/09/2026

Calne Lions are joining a national Lions project - Caps of Courage, which makes and provides handmade hats for young people undergoing cancer treatment.

Our Lion President's wife has been busy and already made 11 hats.

Look out for more details on how you can get involved - coming soon.

22/09/2026

Lions Helen & David visited Marden Court to present the residents with 6 Android tablets for them to use for various types of enrichment and for keeping in contact with family on video calls.

Calne Lions were pleased to support Marden Court with their request and look forward to seeing how the tablets are enjoyed.

19/09/2026

Not satisfied with serving up drinks and food at the Pop Up Cafe, Lions John and Rachel decided to do some exercises with the fitness class being run as part of the Calne Connections Festival at the town hall.