THE PROBUS CLUB OF KIDSGOVE
The SEVENTEENTH Year July 2012 – June 2013
The Officers, Council Members and Organisers for the year were:-
| President | Alan Henshall |
| Vice President | Ken Williamson |
| Secretary | Michael Nield |
| Assistant Secretary | Peter Davenport |
| Treasurer | Norman Hankey |
| Social Secretary | Ken Williamson |
| Archivist | Peter Groom |
| Speaker Secretary | Alan Henshall |
| Council Members | John Vardon, Stephen Rhodes, Adrian Ford, Graham Tunnicliff |
| Walks Organiser | Graham Tunnicliff |
| Bowls Organiser | Len Dale |
| Newsletter Editor | Michael Nield |
| Club Photographer | Peter Lowe |
| Internal Auditors | John Lowe, Derek Morris |
| Website Co-Ordinator | Michael Nield |
Many thanks to Derek Morris and John Crutchley for collecting monies. Thanks also to Kidsgrove Cricket Club and their staff.
MEMBERSHIP
Sadly three of our members died during the year. They were George Wilson and Alan Brown, two serving members who enjoyed probus greatly.
Graham Skellern, Honorary Member who had been with the club since its inauguration and had served on the council.
They will all be missed.
Two new members have been inducted this year Graham Bew and Michael Woodcock. We all welcome them to the club. Bill Careless was awarded an Honorary Membership.
TALKS
The main item of our monthly meeting continues to be the lecture (usually illustrated). To find interesting and informative speakers for a group of men with varying tastes and hobbies is positively impossible. However Alan rises to the challenge and finds such speakers.
We have been regaled with – Origins of Surnames – Secrets of HMS Dasher – Chimney Sweep Boys – Journey to the Bottom of the Sea – The science of Microspry – Alaska The Gold rush – The Kindly Face of British Rail – Trentham Estate – The origins of Sayings and Wildlife on the Farm.
The range of subjects is staggeringly wide and probably is one of the reasons for the informative people we all are.
Many thanks to Alan.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Once again we are lucky to have the CEO of W.W.W Travel Co. Ltd. as a member of our club. He therefore gave his personal attention to our wants.
On Friday 31st August forty one members and friends arrived at the Mayfair Hotel Bournemouth for a week’s holiday.
Saturday was Bournemouth Air show. A grand display of modern and vintage aircraft followed by an evening of fireworks. (All arranged by Ken?).
During the week there were visits to Swanage, Corfe Castle, Poole, Salisbury, Shaftsbury, The New Forest and Christchurch. A good Hotel, food and weather.
In April members travelled to Porthcawl and the Seabank Hotel. Once again the Hotel and food were good. Members enjoyed excursions to Tenby, Cardiff and Swansea.
Day trips during the year were made to Llandudno, The Emma Bridgewater Factory and Chester.
The Christmas Lunch at Lawton Memorial Hall was as usual excellent as also was the entertainment provided by the Probus Glee Club (Bookings arranged).
The President’s Evening was also held at Lawton Memorial Hall a most popular venue. Carlton Caterers provided our repast. The entertainment by Derek Poulson on the varied and rich dialects of the British Isles was very entertaining and informative. A very enjoyable evening for all.
Not only do members appreciate the amount of work Ken does for the club, they also enjoy the fruits of his labour.
Thank you to Michael Johnson for again arranging a trip on the Beatrice Canal Boat for members.
The Luncheon Club visited the Wagon and Horses at Eaton and The Plough at Endon.
Five Musical Evenings were held at the Cricket Club with DJ Tune man (as he likes to be called) officiating.
The October music evening was also a celebration for Bill Careless an original member when the club first met who celebrated his 90th birthday. President Alan presented Bill with a bottle of whisky and on behalf of the club awarded Bill an Honorary Membership. Excellent refreshments were provided by Probus Members Wives. The music evenings continue to be a success and provide a wide range of music.
Many thanks to Graham Tunnicliff.
BOWLS
Len Dale one of our fitness trainers continues to organise us in Callisthenics using the well-known Bowling technique. The keenness with which they exercise and the equal keenness to eat at the Fifth on Fourth and other hostelries are a tribute to Len’s organisational and sporting excellence.
On average twenty players participate in the exercise all showing a high standard of bowling skill. An equal number join them for lunch all showing equal skill and keenness to participate in the banquet.
Many thanks Len.
WALKS
Our other fitness trainer Graham (Trecker) Tunnicliff continues with his ambition to form a fit cohort of athletes capable of challenging the Land’s End to John o’ Goats walking marathon.
This year’s rambles included various parts of the South Cheshire Way, complicated linear walks on the Tissington Trail, Park Hall, Bollington, and all local walks. Detailed historical facts are also presented along with a critique of the many hostelries in which the members visit.
Many thanks Graham.
MISCELLANEOUS
Our President laid a wreath at the cenotaph at the annual remembrance service. He was accompanied by many probus members their wives and partners.
The annual Rotary Reindeer collection also benefited from Probians who assisted the collection.
A DVD has been produced by Peter Lloyd and Michael Nield showing pictures of members, wives, partners and friends. These have been scanned and music added so that they can be viewed on TV. These have been given to all members and widows free of charge. Thanks to both of them for their mammoth task.
Our club Photographer Peter Lowe organised two competitions during the year which were won by Peter Davenport and John Lowe. He also produced excellent photographs of the many events which took place.
Thank you Peter.
A special thanks to Mike Nield; he does a colossal amount of work for the club including Secretary, Newsletter Editor, website Co-ordinator to name but a few of the many tasks he does.
Club meetings continue to be held at Kidsgrove Cricket Club on the last Wednesday of the month. Subscriptions remain at eighteen pounds which includes a social membership of the cricket club.
There have been two changes to the constitution. Rule 9 (iv) Subscriptions and Members participation in club activities.
Woolliscrofts continue to print our Newsletter.
President’s Remarks
Never has a year gone by so quickly. The first six months of my term in office was marred by my hip problem and subsequent operation.
I would like to thank everyone particularly the council members for their advice and support throughout the year.
Sadly we lost three of our members Alan Brown, Graham Skellern and George Wilson. Alan had been a particular active member of the community with both the scouts and pensioners associations. Graham a founder member of the club was made an Honorary Member when he became too ill to attend the meetings. All will be sadly missed.
On a brighter note we welcomed two new members Michael Woodcock and Graham Bew.
Bill Careless reached the grand age of 90 while still an active member, the first person to do this. The ladies arranged a party at the cricket club in his honour which he much appreciated.
All club activities have continued to run successfully thanks to the organisers.
The highlight of the year for me was the President’s Evening which I think everyone enjoyed.
Finally may I wish Ken Williamson a happy and successful year in office.