The Lions Club of Sidmouth decked the halls of St Francis Church with a tree, tinsel and lights as they hosted their Christmas social.

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The guests were taken to the venue with the help of Sidmouth Voluntary Services’ mini buses to make sure those who couldn’t make it there by themselves could still attend.

When they arrived, the 74 attendees were treated to two groups of singers and musicians.

Up first was the Sidmouth Primary School Choir which took half of their young members to perform and were conducted by Stevie Trevena.

The afternoon took a turn down the folk road with the Sidmouth Ukulele Band who performed a variety of popular songs under the leadership of Nick Birt and encouraged plenty of audience participation.

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

After the music was enjoyed by the guests, it was time for tea. Plates of sandwiches, sausage rolls, mince pies, cakes and plenty of cups of tea were provided free of charge by partners of the Lions Club members and other helpers.

Later, fortunate guests won prizes in a free lucky numbers draw.

Event organiser Ian Skinner thanked the primary school choir ensemble and Sidmouth Ukulele Band for their excellent musical contributions during the afternoon.

On behalf of the guests, he also thanked the Sidmouth Trefoil Guild for providing Christmas crackers, Sidmouth Voluntary Services for the use of three minibuses and the three volunteer drivers, the two St John Ambulance volunteers and all other helpers, including the Lions Club members’ partners, for giving the guests an early introduction to the Christmas festivities. He then wished everyone a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The Lions Club of Sidmouth is one of 900 Lion clubs in the UK and Ireland and was established in 1976.

The registered charity raises money for charitable causes through a variety of fundraising events.

The Sidmouth branch primarily serves the local communities of Sidmouth, Sidford, Sidbury, Newton Poppleford, Tipton St John and Branscombe.

Visit www.sidmouthlions.org.uk or phone 08458 337849 to find out more information or how to join.

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: The Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry IfeThe Sidmouth Ukulele Band at the Sidmouth Lions annual senior citizens Christmas Lunch. Ref shs 49 18TI 6292. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)