Founder Member "Hangs up his Wellies"

Members of the Cranleigh & District Lions Club wish to publicly thank Lion Ray Beeson for his many years of service to the Cranleigh Bonfire.

For 5 decades Ray has helped to build a bonfire to be enjoyed by the residents of Cranleigh & District. Indeed it was Ray, one of the original Cranleigh Bonfire Boys, who was mainly instrumental in allowing the Lions to take over the annual Bonfire and Fireworks Display.

Ray helped to found the Lions Club back in 1974, and he and Phil Tilbury, another Bonfire Boy, are the only remaining "Charter Members" of the Lions Club. Both have remained enthusiastic Lions ever since dedicating their time and energy to helping our community.

Ray has for many years been the team leader for the bonfire building and together with the tractor loaned by the Cranleigh & South Eastern Agricultural Society, has made our job so much easier. Now Ray feels it is time for a rest on those cold and sometimes wet October weekends, and time to leave it to younger members to follow in his footsteps.

Bonfire Chairman Tony Paris, Lion President Michael Meek and Club Secretary Paul Withers are all pleased that Ray will continue to lead the torchlight procession in his colourful John Bull outfit and will still carry the winning Guy to the top of the bonfire, and we hope he can continue with this for many years to come. We are also pleased that Ray will remain an enthusiastic member of the Cranleigh & District Lions Club.

We shall start to build the bonfire on Saturday 17th October and invite all energetic members of the public to come and help us. For details contact Tony Paris 01483 275134.