President’s Remarks
The month of July ended with the funerals of Fred Cotton and Ernie Langford. It is a measure of the respect for both men that practically all members attended. It is fitting to note that, although sad occasions, both were celebrations of their lives and excellent eulogies were delivered, in Fred’s case by his son Simon and by Frank Timmis for Ernie.
August activities started well with the adhoc Tuesday bowlers on the 5th now numbering thirteen with twelve of us having lunch in The Clough after bowls.
The weather returned to its regular sunny pattern, rewarding the thirteen of us who enjoyed the stroll around Parkhall Country Park on the 6th.
The planned trip to Southport on the 15th was enjoyed by all and as usual a tribute to the organisers.
The six bowlers who braved the early torrential rain on the 19th, which had left the green a little wet, were rewarded by a morning’s sunshine.
Our Travel agents have arranged holidays in Weymouth in 2015 and Turkey and Tinsel in Bournemouth for November 2014, I hope you all bring your cheque books.
The speaker today is Mr Bob Kermeen and his subject is Iraq post-world war 1 to Saddam Hussein.
| Birthdays during September 2014Frank Timmis, Len Dale, Michael Nield, Graham Brown. |
Southport Flower Show – Friday 15 August 2014
On a beautiful day 45 members, partners, family and friends visited Southport. Ten visited the town shops and amusements whilst 35 entered the large park for the annual flower show. The main events were three large marques beautifully set out with stunning displays of flowers, plants, breath taking! How did the judges pick the winners?
Outside were a number of gardens, set out in a small space. Again difficult to judge a winner. Many stalls selling interesting items, mainly of a gardening nature. In addition there was the Band Stand with continuous entertainment from Brass to Jazz and the occasional garden expert from T.V.
A second arena with displays of Birds of Prey; Dogs and Clowns took up part of the time. Include the food stalls, plenty of seating and the warm sun. Quite a day!
F. Timmis
Important Reminder
Because of the Probus holiday to Weston Super Mare next month, the following events have been brought forward:-
Probus Council Meeting – now Wednesday 10 September 2014
Probus Ordinary Meeting – now Wednesday 17 September 2014
Probus Music Night – now Thursday 18 September 2014.
Dates for your Diary
| Wednesday27 Aug 2014Probus Ordinary Meeting at the Cricket Club. Meet 9.30am for 10.00am startFriday – Monday29 Aug – 1 Sept 2014All Saints Church, Scholar Green celebrates 150th anniversary. Visit the Flower Festival. Refreshments available. Contact Grace Lowe for more details and times of opening. Tel: 01782 785451. Tuesday2 Sept 2014Kidsgrove Writers Group (K.W.G.) at Kidsgrove Library at 7.00pm. John Linley talks about the life & poetry of Dylan Thomas. All are welcome.Wednesday3 Sept 2014Probus Walk.Wednesday10 Sept 2014Probus Council Meeting at the Cricket Club. Meet 9.30amThursday11 Sept 2014Kidsgrove Writers Group (K.W.G.). Baptist Chapel at Church Street, Butt Lane. at 7.30pm. Speaker John Linley – “Crossing the Divide” – Where Artist meets Poet! All are welcome.Wednesday17 Sept 2014Probus Ordinary Meeting at the Cricket Club. Meet 9.30am for 10.00am start.Thursday18 Sept 2014Probus Music Night at the Cricket Club. Meet 7.30pm. Bring along a music C.D to play a track of your choice. Everyone welcome. FREE BUFFET.Sun – Sat21 – 27 Sept 2014Probus 7 day holiday to Weston-Super-Mare with Alpha Travel. Stopping at the Anchor Head Hotel. |
Tinsel and Turkey Holiday
Bournemouth – November 17th – 21st 2014 (5 days)
Stopping at the Mayfair Hotel. Cost £220.00.
Holiday to Weymouth – 11-18 April 2015 (8 Days)
Cost of holiday £324.00 (Including 3 excursions). Stopping at the Norfolk Hotel.
A deposit of £30.00 is due to be paid at the meeting on Wednesday 27 August 2014
Probus August Walk Report – Parkhall Country Park
We met on the Kidsgrove car park and departed at 09:30 as usual. The journey there is very easy, by using the A500 and A50 leaving on the slip road just before Meir tunnel, take the first exit off Meir roundabout and continue through Weston Coyney traffic lights, the Bolton Gate Car Park is on the left in about 500 yds. In all 25 minutes max. from Kidsgrove.
In total there were 13 of us who enjoyed the many different pathways that crisscross the 300 acres of the country park with its landscape of forest, canyons, lakes, scrubland and moors.
On the highest part of the park and on a clear day views all round stretch for 50 miles, on this occasion, unlike in March 18 months ago, we did have a clear day, it was dry and warm with plenty of sunshine.
After 2 hours of walking it was time for lunch and back to an old favourite, The Red House in that delightful village Caverswall. As some of the group had not been to the area before we concluded our journey with a walk around the village.
Historical Note
At 815 feet the hills of the park are the highest in Stoke on Trent and this no doubt was one reason that in February 1942 a Spitfire crashed and in January 1943 a Wellington Bomber crashed both into fields adjacent to the park.
However, it has come to light that the flat field on top of the hills was a secret ”QL site, which was a pseudo air field complete with search lights but built to confuse enemy bombers and steer them away from the airport at Meir and its aircraft factory.
Were the crashes pilot/navigator error or did the QL site also confuse our lads? As both pilots were killed I guess we will never know.
During WW2 a total of 40 allied aircraft crashed in the greater Leek area.
For those who want to know more google caverswall.