The largest Charity Book fair in Wales is held at Bridgend YMCA, Angel Street, Bridgend over 3 days in March/April of each year. The latest Book Fair was held from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th April 2008.
There are literally thousands of books covering all kinds of fiction, non-fiction and children's categories. All books are in good condition and very competitively priced. This event started in 1994 when a profit of nearly £1,000 was raised over the three days. Both the numbers attending and quantity of Books have increased steadily over the intervening years until in recent years over 25,000 books have been available for sale generating a massive £100,000 since 1994 for good causes.
The club maintain a mailing list of regular attendees, which include both members of the public and Book dealers. To be added to the list, simply contact us using the details on the contact page and we will add you to the list to ensure that you do not miss out on future Book Fairs. (For the purposes of the Data Protection Act, your details will not be passed on to third parties and will be used solely for the purposes of the Lions Book Fair).
All our books are donated by the general public. If you would like to contribute, books can be delivered to the YMCA, Angel Street, Bridgend weekdays from October until the event between the hours of 10am and 5pm, or can be collected within the Bridgend area. Please note that collections usually stop one month prior to the event to allow sufficient time for sorting and pricing. See our contact us page for contact details to arrange collection.
To see some photographs from the event click here
For a location map please use this link: Location map of Bridgend YMCA
This is another annual event, usually held in April or May. The last swim took place in April 2008 when over 3,500 lengths of the pool were swum by the participating teams, and over £5,000 was raised for Charity. The next event will be in April 2009 and will again be held at Pencoed Swimming Pool.
This is an ideal opportunity for other charitable organisations to raise funds for themselves – all charitable groups who enter teams retain 50% of their gross sponsorship for themselves. All costs are met by the Lions Club. Teams come from many different organisations, such as Schools, PTAs, Scout and Guide groups, and numerous local charitable organisations.
Teams swim for one hour in relay with 6 lanes available each hour. If you have a team who would like to participate, or would like any further information then please use our Contact page to get in touch with us or e-mail us at swim@bridgendlions.org.uk
The annual Charity golf day is for teams of four playing Stableford (best 3 on each hole to score), with prizes for winning teams and individuals, nearest the pin, longest drive and a putting competition as well as the fiercely fought prize for best endeavor. Food is also included.
The last event was held at Coed y Mwstwr Golf Course in September 2006. A good day was had by all and £1,700 was raised for local Charities. The golf was followed by an excellent star studded Cabaret and Curry evening at the Pied Piper organised by Stuart, Wayne and Andrew Tucker, who also managed to obtain some excellent prizes for the winning Golf teams.
We anticipate running another tournament in 2008. For further details or to enter teams of 4 please use our Contact page to get in touch with us or e-mail us.
The 2007 Duck Race was held in September 2007 when 4,000 ducks were set off down the Ogmore River creating quite a spectacle for those of the public watching the race. The weather was sunny and the river had just enough water to ensure the ducks made it to the finishing line. To see photographs of recent Duck Races click here
We were once again assisted by the Bridgend ATC who helped to collect the ducks from the river and we are indebted to their canoeists who helped prevent club members from getting too wet.
This followed a summer of selling tickets by club members at various locations in the area.
Tickets for the 2008 race are now on sale at various venues throughout the summer or from any member of the Lions Club of Bridgend. The race will take place on Saturday 20 September 2008.
From early March until Easter each year giant Easter Eggs are raffled in local pubs and clubs who have kindly agreed to assist us in this Fundraising venture. Each entry in the raffle costs £1.00 and the winners all receive a giant Easter Egg. The draw takes place in each pub over the Easter holiday.
Please support this venture if available in your local. We are always looking for new outlets, so if you can help please contact us.
Lion Mike Greenway drawing the winning ticket at the Farmers Arms, St. Brides Major
Lion Mike Greenway presents the winning egg to Phil Davies who was collecting it on behalf of his granddaughter at the Three Golden Cups, Southerndown
In 2008 the following venues kindly helped us
The Farmers Arms, St. Brides Major
The 3 Golden Cups, Southerndown
The Pied Piper, Bridgend Ind. Est.
The Golden Mile, Corntown
The Coach and Horses, Bridgend
The Mackworth Arms, Laleston
OCLP Club, Bryntirion
Ewenny Cafe, Ewenny Road, Bridgend
Llangewydd Arms, Broadlands, Bridgend
Caefatri Inn, Coity Road, Bridgend
The Five Bells, Bridgend
Thank you to everyone who entered the draw.
Throughout the summer period members of the Lions club of Bridgend can be seen with the distinctive Lions Club stall at various Summer Fetes in the Bridgend area and in the Bridgend Town Centre.
If you see us, please support our Fundraising efforts - you may win a cuddly Lion, teddy bear, a football, a toy or even a green frog. We regularly attend Southerndown Home for the Blind and Elderly Fete, Coity Village Fete and numerous others. If you are holding a fete or similar event and would like us to attend please contact us.
Our annual Christmas Tree of Light has been organised in conjunction with St Mary’s Church who very kindly agreed to site the Tree outside the Church on Ewenny Road, Bridgend. Members of the public are invited to donate a minimum of £5 to sponsor a light on the Christmas Tree in memory of a loved one or their favourite cause. In 2007 over £1,000 was raised for Charitable causes.
To mark the event a short service of dedication is held around the tree when all sponsors and anyone else interested are invited to attend. A board containing the names of loved ones being remembered is situated alongside the tree throughout the month of December.
Lion John Craxton leads the short but enjoyable service in the foyer of St Mary's Church
This event is usually sponsored thus allowing all proceeds from the event to go to charity. Sponsor Forms are available at shops around Bridgend displaying the Tree of Light poster or by telephoning Bridgend 652805 or e-mailing us.