President’s Remarks 28th July 2017
President’s Remarks 28th August 2017
Dear members,
Traditionally in July and August we should be enjoying the height of our summer season, however our weather is trying to tell us otherwise. My lawn has had so much rain it seems to want cutting every 3 or 4 days and the slugs and weeds are attempting to take over the flower beds! On a lighter note our solitary sunflower has enjoyed the extra rain, now standing at 7’ 6’’ and still growing!
Some of us will be returning from shores near and far. Pauline and I are reacclimatising to our cooler climate having endured 96F (that’s about 36C in new money) for the last 2 weeks in Florida where amongst the other delights of the Disney parks we were able to witness the rocket launch from the NASA Kennedy Space Centre, to the International Space Station and also the total solar eclipse . We are now however seriously considering switching on our central heating!
Health Experts tell us that most accidents happen around the home and 2 of our members, Stephen Rhodes and Dennis Fletcher can bear testimony to this theory. I understand however that they are both now on the mend and hopefully we shall see then at our August meeting.
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On a more serious note we all wish Chris Brough a successful operation for bowel cancer when he is admitted to the Royal Stoke Hospital this Tuesday and a full and complete recovery afterward.
President Terry Dale
Todays speaker is Mr Martin Duguid of the SSAFA
(Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association)
Birthdays in September :-
Graham Brown, Len Dale, Mike Nield and Frank Timmis.
At this meeting our official photographer Peter Lowe
will be taking the yearly official photograph to see how well we are ageing! Weather permitting.
Social Report
The Sunday Lunch at the Masonic Hall Kidsgrove on the 30th July 2017 was well attended and enjoyed by all.
Unfortunately the outing to Southport Flower Show on Friday 18th August 2017 had to be cancelled.
A coach has been booked for the visit to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas on Thursday 7th September 2017. The cost is £9.00 per person to be collected at the August meeting.
There are 38 members and friends booked in for the Tinsel and Turkey 5 day holiday to Criccieth departing Monday 20th November 2017. There are still some places available. £40.00 per person deposit to be collected at the August meeting.
Do not forget the Christmas Luncheon at the Manor House Hotel, Alsager on Friday 1st December 2017.
Ken Williamson
Walk Report August 2017
This month’s walk took place on Wednesday 2 August.
All did not bode well for the August Walk, and summer was late in arriving. I woke to the sound of pouring rain and my previous days research had indicated that The Park Gate Inn (our destination for the day) was probably going to be closed!
But, by the time 9:30 came round there were 8 hardy souls determined to enjoy a walk in the Cheshire countryside and the rain had ceased. We arrived at Upper Peever to find that the Pub had reopened and would be happy to serve us upon our return.
Coincidently it was 5 years since I was last leading a walk here and armed with the instructions last used we set off along a familiar bridleway turning left over a stile into a huge field that had been recently harvested before reaching a tarmac drive.
Soon familiar buildings were replaced by industrial units and all signs of paths had been removed, eventually we spotted the Water Tower which I remembered from before, however it was surrounded by Japanese Knot Weed and the cottages remembered were no more.
Here we picked out our footpath again and entered well manicured lawns stretching down to a hall and Polo Pitch. It was at this point that we realised something was amiss.
In front of the hall stood a fully grown elephant complete with tusks, close by stood a small group of sheep and a horse. Continuing past elaborate outbuildings we encountered a giraffe peering over the wall!
Here our path joined the road, which we eventually followed to arrive back at the Inn and our well deserved pint and meal both of which were excellent.
In case your were wondering, the exotic animals were plastic, including the sheep.
Graham Tunnicliff
Comprehensive Information on Government Grants and Benefits
A lady researching benefit entitlements for older people came across our ‘interesting’ web site and has supplied us with a link to a website, that, along with a house and garden DIY guide and offering a facility to contact the services of a local tradesmen, also has a comprehensive leading page on grants and benefits available to older people from the government. If nothing else this information should make us aware of our entitlements and benefits from the welfare system. Using Copy and Paste on the link below will take you to a comprehensive listing of benefits and grants on this website.
Mike Nield
http://householdquotes.co.uk/benefits-and-grants-for-oaps/
The Amateur Philosopher
Some people are very decisive when it comes to avoiding decisions!
Newsletter Editor
Chris Brough compiles and publishes the Probus Newsletter.
Articles of interest to members should be sent by Email to Chris at :- chrisjbrough@talktalk.net or phone 01782 784075 in the first instance. For any inclusion in the next newsletter, articles should be delivered to the editor at least 10 days before the monthly meeting.
Our next Probus meeting is on
Wednesday 27 September at
Kidsgrove Cricket Club, 9.30 for 10am.