I LOVE women. I truly, truly do. They re wonderful creatures. Easy on the eye, fresh-smelling, graceful, they make a perfect foil for men. There s just one problem – they talk. Too much. It always amazes that they can talk with such relish yet, during the

I LOVE women. I truly, truly do. They're wonderful creatures. Easy on the eye, fresh-smelling, graceful, they make a perfect foil for men.

There's just one problem - they talk. Too much. It always amazes that they can talk with such relish yet, during the course of these conversations, determine so little.

After a while, this chatter just washes over me, like a supermarket soundtrack.

In my quest for meaningful female conversation, I believe I have found a group of girls who, despite its ability to talk the hind leg off a donkey, is actually achieving something.

Ely Leos Club - which, I should point out, has one male member who no doubt talks with great wisdom and insight - is the junior section of the Lions club, which graced these pages a couple of weeks ago.

They gather fortnightly in the upstairs meeting-room at the Paradise Centre, where their hour-long meetings are a hive of ideas and enthusiasm.

Most of the ideas they come up with relate to fund-raising activities - they raise hundreds of pounds every year for charities and organisations - but they also hold events, participate in what's going on locally and support the activities of the Lions.

They had a stall at last weekend's Eel Day, and in June, they are hoping to take a group of pensioners to Hunstanton. Not my idea of fun, but for the Leos it is valuable community work and they are a priceless asset to the area.

Rebecca Brown is president, and she'll be president again next year. She oversees the meetings, and does a fine job given all the gabbing which goes on.

I must confess, I'm rather overwhelmed by it all. It is a happy group though, and it would be churlish in the extreme to be critical. One thing the group does need, however, is more members, so get in touch with Rebecca if you're aged between 15 and 28 and you want to join a fun, proactive organisation.

Leos clubs are truly world-wide, which is something that could not possibly have imagined when the first group was set up at Abingdon High School, Pennsylvania in 1957.

Today, the Leo organisation has more than 4,000 clubs in 106 countries, with a total estimated membership of 110,000. The first Leo club to be formed in Great Britain and Ireland was in Walthamstow, London in 1968 and today, there are about 30 Leo clubs in Britain, each sponsored by a Lions club.

Broadly, the purpose of a Leo club is to develop the qualities of leadership, experience and opportunity. Among its objectives is to promote high ethical standards, so the chances of any of them going on to be journalists appear to be slim.

Still, despite this apparent wish to be ethical, in all other respects they are a most pleasant bunch.

One of the most heart-warming activities they've taken part in recently is an Easter egg drop at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. The club bought around 60 eggs for the children's ward, and gave them to the sickly youngsters there. Those who couldn't have chocolate got toys.

You can't say fairer than that. If that isn't community-spirited, I don't know what is.

It is work which gives the group great credit, and illustrates why more young people should join to feel part of something which provides a real leg-up to organisations or individuals who need it.

And, if they can recruit more male members, there'll be a chance to get a word in edgeways, a possibility which should not be understated.

INFO: If you're interested in joining Leos, telephone Rebecca Brown on 01353 662338 or email: elyleoclub@lycos.co.uk