THE PROBUS CLUB OF KIDSGOVE
The TWENTY-FIRST Year July 2016 – June 2017
The Officers and Council Members and ex officio organisers were :-
President Adrian Ford
Vice President Terry Dale
Secretary Michael Nield
Assistant Secretary Andrew Dimelow
Treasurer Norman Hankey
Social Secretary Ken Williamson
Speaker SecretaryAlan Henshall
Archivist Graham Tunnicliff
Council Members:-Terry Dale, John Crutchley, Terry Cook ,Peter Lloyd
Walks organiser Gary Bell
Bowls organiser Len Dale
News Letter Editor Chris Brough
Club Photographer Peter Lowe
Internal auditors Graham Brown, Barry Rogerson
Website Administration Michael Nield, Peter Lloyd
President’s Yearly Report 2017
It is surprising how quickly a year passes and this year seems to have sped by; my time as President has come to an end, leaving me with many happy memories and the thought that the Probus Club of Kidsgrove is strong and providing good fellowship and interesting meetings for its members.
During my year as President I received excellent support from committee members who were always happy to share their expertise and offer advice, when it was needed. Unfortunately, my illness in March prevented me from attending meetings for a while, but again, members stepped in to ensure the normal functioning of the club: thank you to all who helped. Many thanks also to members and their wives who supported me at this difficult time with cards and messages, they were very much appreciated. My good wishes for a successful year ahead under the Presidency of Terry Dale and Vice Presidency of John Vardon.
Adrian Ford
Thanks go to John Crutchley, Derick Morris and Dennis Fletcher for getting members to part with their money for trips and holidays etc. Also the staff of the Cricket Club for providing teas and coffees.
The year also saw a change of venue for the council meetings which moved to The Clough Hall Hotel, thanks to Landlord Jeff for the use of the premises and the refreshments. The venue for ordinary meetings and social events continues to be The Cricket Club.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership continues to be generally static. The club welcomed new member Malcolm Rigby and sadly records the deaths of Peter Crowther Green and Eric Owen. Total Membership now stands at 48.
MEETINGS
Alan Henshall continues to amaze us with his varied Choice of speakers; we started the year with Professor Ian Morrison taking us to the Stars and beyond, followed by Roy Willis taking us on a polar exploration and onto the ocean waves with Graham Binningsley. Rudyard Lake, The Monton Lighthouse with the zany Phil Aston. Trekking in the Everest region. Then it was back to WW1 with the Two Crosses followed by Professor Morrison talking about Jodrell Bank and then, The role of the Railways in WW1 by J Nicholls, finishing off in New Zealand.
Attendance at meetings ebbed and flowed a bit this year with illnesses taking their toll, lets all hope for a better year.
BOWLS
Len Dale continues to organise the bowls with his usual efficiency, attendance has dwindled somewhat for the reasons above. The winning team in the indoor competition at Biddulph Leisure Centre was captained by Graham Brown.
The weekly outdoor sessions at Clough Hall Bowling Club continue to attract a dozen or so members and spouses, who all thank Len for arranging everything.(he even excels at making tea and coffee) not to mention the beautiful gardens that surround the green which are also maintained by Len.
WALKS
The number of walks has reduced this year mainly because of a clash of dates with holidays, but nevertheless the walks that Gary Bell arranged were excellent, with walks around the Anderson Boat Lift, The Sandstone Trail, The Cloud, Broughton and area with a retired Staffordshire Ranger leading the way and finally Audlem and the Shropshire union canal. The June walk was cancelled due to lack of interest.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Our very own travel agent Ken Williamson excelled yet again in booking our holidays, supported by Peter Lowe who also acts as our official Photographer.
There were two main holidays this year, the first being an 8 day holiday to St Ives in September and the second another 8 day, this time in May to The Isle of Wight. Both venues were superb and enjoyed by everyone.
Trips were also arranged to the newly restored Anderson Boat Lift and Roberts Bakery with free goodie bags.
The social activities include the musical evenings at the Cricket Club and various lunches around the area.
The annual Christmas lunch was held at the Manor House Alsager, once again enjoyed by everyone, with entertainment provided by our own singers and monologists (is there such a word)?. Not forgetting our resident comedian.
The Presidents Evening was also held in the Manor House with entertainment provided by Simon Garcia, a very accomplished musician who had most of us dancing outside (one of those rare warm summer evenings). Sorry I missed it as we were on holiday.
WEB SITE
The Web Site is now a firmly established part of the Probus information net work and thanks go to Michael Nield and Peter Lloyd for all the hard work they have put in especially the photos, both historic and recent that are now available for members to look at and reminisce.
NEWS LETTER
This year saw the appointment of Chris Brough as Editor. The changeover has been seamless and Chris’s editorship and wit continue to make the newsletter a good read.
MISCELLANEOUS
The annual Rotary Reindeer Collection was augmented to the tune of £343.93 by the Probus Collection outside Home Bargains. Thanks go to Denis Fletcher, Terry Cook, Andrew Dimelow, Len Dale, Dave Tipper, Gary Bell, Fred Maxfield, Cliff Triner, Norman Hankey.
President Adrian Ford presented the Probus Wreath at the annual thanks giving ceremony on Remembrance Sunday.
Thanks go to Vice President Terry Dale who officiated for the President whilst he was incapacitated.
It would be remiss of me not to mention our Secretary Michael Nield who continues to prop up the front line with his excellent administration skills.
Thanks to the Council members and everyone who helped to plan and organise the various functions, we depend on such as you to continue this wonderful fellowship that is The Probus Club of Kidsgrove.
Graham Tunnicliff (Archivist)
THE PROBUS CLUB OF KIDSGROVE
THE 21st YEAR JULY 2016 to JUNE 2017
The Officers, Council Members and ex officio organisers were :-
President Adrian Ford
Vice President Terry Dale
Secretary Michael Nield
Assistant Secretary Andrew Dimelow
Treasurer Norman Hankey
Social Secretary Ken Williamson
Speaker SecretaryAlan Henshall
Archivist Graham Tunnicliff
Council Members:-Terry Dale, John Crutchley, Terry Cook ,Peter Lloyd
Walks organiser Gary Bell
Bowls organiser Len Dale
News Letter Editor Chris Brough
Club Photographer Peter Lowe
Internal auditors Graham Brown, Barry Rogerson
Website Administration Michael Nield, Peter Lloyd
President’s Yearly Report 2017
It is surprising how quickly a year passes and this year seems to have sped by; my time as President has come to an end, leaving me with many happy memories and the thought that the Probus Club of Kidsgrove is strong and providing good fellowship and interesting meetings for its members.
During my year as President I received excellent support from committee members who were always happy to share their expertise and offer advice, when it was needed. Unfortunately, my illness in March prevented me from attending meetings for a while, but again, members stepped in to ensure the normal functioning of the club: thank you to all who helped. Many thanks also to members and their wives who supported me at this difficult time with cards and messages, they were very much appreciated. My good wishes for a successful year ahead under the Presidency of Terry Dale and Vice Presidency of John Vardon.
Adrian Ford
Thanks go to John Crutchley, Derick Morris and Dennis Fletcher for getting members to part with their money for trips and holidays etc. Also the staff of the Cricket Club for providing teas and coffees.
The year also saw a change of venue for the council meetings which moved to The Clough Hall Hotel, thanks to Landlord Jeff for the use of the premises and the refreshments. The venue for ordinary meetings and social events continues to be The Cricket Club.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership continues to be generally static. The club welcomed new member Malcolm Rigby and sadly records the deaths of Peter Crowther Green and Eric Owen. Total Membership now stands at 48.
MEETINGS
Alan Henshall continues to amaze us with his varied Choice of speakers; we started the year with Professor Ian Morrison taking us to the Stars and beyond, followed by Roy Willis taking us on a polar exploration and onto the ocean waves with Graham Binningsley. Rudyard Lake, The Monton Lighthouse with the zany Phil Aston. Trekking in the Everest region. Then it was back to WW1 with the Two Crosses followed by Professor Morrison talking about Jodrell Bank and then, The role of the Railways in WW1 by J Nicholls, finishing off in New Zealand.
Attendance at meetings ebbed and flowed a bit this year with illnesses taking their toll, lets all hope for a better year.
BOWLS
Len Dale continues to organise the bowls with his usual efficiency, attendance has dwindled somewhat for the reasons above. The winning team in the indoor competition at Biddulph Leisure Centre was captained by Graham Brown.
The weekly outdoor sessions at Clough Hall Bowling Club continue to attract a dozen or so members and spouses, who all thank Len for arranging everything.(he even excels at making tea and coffee) not to mention the beautiful gardens that surround the green which are also maintained by Len.
WALKS
The number of walks has reduced this year mainly because of a clash of dates with holidays, but nevertheless the walks that Gary Bell arranged were excellent, with walks around the Anderson Boat Lift, The Sandstone Trail, The Cloud, Broughton and area with a retired Staffordshire Ranger leading the way and finally Audlem and the Shropshire union canal. The June walk was cancelled due to lack of interest.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Our very own travel agent Ken Williamson excelled yet again in booking our holidays, supported by Peter Lowe who also acts as our official Photographer.
There were two main holidays this year, the first being an 8 day holiday to St Ives in September and the second another 8 day, this time in May to The Isle of Wight. Both venues were superb and enjoyed by everyone.
Trips were also arranged to the newly restored Anderson Boat Lift and Roberts Bakery with free goodie bags.
The social activities include the musical evenings at the Cricket Club and various lunches around the area.
The annual Christmas lunch was held at the Manor House Alsager, once again enjoyed by everyone, with entertainment provided by our own singers and monologists (is there such a word)?. Not forgetting our resident comedian.
The Presidents Evening was also held in the Manor House with entertainment provided by Simon Garcia, a very accomplished musician who had most of us dancing outside (one of those rare warm summer evenings). Sorry I missed it as we were on holiday.
WEB SITE
The Web Site is now a firmly established part of the Probus information net work and thanks go to Michael Nield and Peter Lloyd for all the hard work they have put in especially the photos, both historic and recent that are now available for members to look at and reminisce.
NEWS LETTER
This year saw the appointment of Chris Brough as Editor. The changeover has been seamless and Chris’s editorship and wit continue to make the newsletter a good read.
MISCELLANEOUS
The annual Rotary Reindeer Collection was augmented to the tune of £343.93 by the Probus Collection outside Home Bargains. Thanks go to Denis Fletcher, Terry Cook, Andrew Dimelow, Len Dale, Dave Tipper, Gary Bell, Fred Maxfield, Cliff Triner, Norman Hankey.
President Adrian Ford presented the Probus Wreath at the annual thanks giving ceremony on Remembrance Sunday.
Thanks go to Vice President Terry Dale who officiated for the President whilst he was incapacitated.
It would be remiss of me not to mention our Secretary Michael Nield who continues to prop up the front line with his excellent administration skills.
Thanks to the Council members and everyone who helped to plan and organise the various functions, we depend on such as you to continue this wonderful fellowship that is The Probus Club of Kidsgrove.
Graham Tunnicliff (Archivist)