On the 19 November the White Hart Barn in Godstone was transformed into a little part of the Caribbean. Members of Caterham, Oxted and Godstone Lions Club (COGs) decorated the hall with palm trees, sun umbrellas and pineapples. The scene was set for this year’s themed dinner held by COGs. Guests, many in Caribbean costume, arrived shortly after 7pm, and were each given a garland as they found their seats. The bar opened and the the sound of steel drums soon filled the hall.

Promptly at 7.30 COGs Fundraising Chairman, Ian Macaulay, welcomed over sixty guests to the event which aimed to raise money for Lions Charitable causes. Notably the Club has supported Caterham Food Bank to ease the burden of those in fuel poverty and to provide some extras over the Christmas period.

Each guest enjoyed a three-course meal consisting of Sweetcorn to start with followed by Chicken with sweet potato, peas, and salad. Dessert was pineapple topped with ice cream and ginger crumb, complete with umbrella! Instead of mints with coffee everyone enjoyed a piece of bounty bar.

Throughout the evening Rachel, an accomplished steel pan player entertained guests to sound of the Caribbean, even prompting some to get up and dance to “Island in the Sun” No Lions event would be complete without a raffle and there were many themed prizes including a coconut, pineapple, bounty bars and hand-crafted Jamaican figures all of which were donated by members. Good things eventually had to come to an end with many saying on the way out how much they had enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and company throughout the evening. Having had such a great evening, how can it be topped next year?