A familiar name for anyone who has ever visited the Red River Club in Barrow – Mavis Lakeland has been at the heart of the club for decades. Visit the club at any time of the day or night and you’re sure to bump into Mavis – she could be behind the bar serving, cleaning, running the kitchen / cafe, cutting the grass on the bowling green, organising darts, bowling and pool teams.. just about anyhting and everything! A working week for Mavis can mean a 90-hour marathon!
Mavis runs competitions in various sports that the club offers and is held in high regard for her coaching and encouragement of youngsters starting out playing pool. Local entertainer Denis Horan who is now the vice captain of the Irish pool team and current England Youth player Connor Treen both agree that without Mavis’s guidance and support they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to represent their country at international level.
“she gives time for everyone in the club and makes them all feel special be it the youngest child to the old guy sat in the corner, she certainly is the heartbeat of not just the club but the community.”
Mavis has organised so many charity nights at the Red River club raising tens of thousands for charity over the years including recently the Furness Motor Neurone disease association, Armed Forces and organises the childrens christmas party.
“Sadly, Mavis recently lost her husband to cancer but still kept doing all these things whilst her own personal pain was immense, she only cares about others, she also has had her own health problems but never lets on and just gets on with making you feel special.”
A thoroughly deserved nomination for a community stalwart, as I’m sure friends, neighbours, locals, members of the 12 pool teams, the two darts teams, don team, and bowls teams would agree!
Congratulations on your nomination Mavis!