It seems that the more labour-saving devices we acquire, , the lesstime we have!

That lack of free time, or the pressures of work or something has led to clubs struggling for membership.

This is a problem shared by everyone from sports clubs to service clubs.

When there is a crisis, such as the Ukranian war, people shrug aside their lack of time or their indifference and rise to the cause.

We have printed so many stories in recent weeks about the amazing things people are doing to help refugees fleeing from their country. And it is so much more than putting coins in a collection box.

Homes have been opened,goods have been collected and local lorries have delivered much-needed supplies to the Polish border.

People suffer tragedy in this area and immediate turn it into a positive by raising money and awareness of what has happened to them or a loved one.

We see,right in the middle of recessions, how people still respond to Telethons and the like.

So people are willing but the clubs struggle for membership.

The photos for this week’s nostalgia pages are taken from events carried out by the three clubs probably best-known worldwide -Rotary, Lions and Round Table.

What we see in these photos is the good they do in their community.

We see the sports teams fitted out with new kit and life-saving baby equipment donated to the local hospital.

There are competitions for young people in all sorts of areas.

It is true that all these clubs raise money and donate to local causes. But what is sometimes forgotten, is that they also provide fun and fellowship. For the lonely they are not only a place to make friends but also to be useful.

Unlike years gone by,most of these clubs are now open to both men and women. It is changed days from the time I won a Lions peace essay competition and the headline in the paper read: “Girl wins essay competition”

That was more the fault of the paper than the club and I am sure nobody is shocked any longer if a woman does well!

Check out your local clubs. It might just be the best thing you have ever done.