President’s Remarks
I hope you all had a very happy Christmas and wish you and your families a healthy and enjoyable 2015 as we look forward to another action packed year full of Probus activities.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the Christmas Lunch such a success yet again.
The festivities were later touched with sadness however as we heard the news that two of our honorary members, first Aubrey Lowndes 21st Dec and then Arthur Cumberbatch 28th Dec had passed away. Aubrey’s funeral was well attended on the 7th Jan. as was Arthur’s on the 14th.
Thank you also to those members who braved the cold, on the 20th Dec, to collect monies from the generous people of Kidsgrove, on behalf of the Rotary Clubs Christmas appeal. It is a very satisfying activity, if you haven’t done it then make a note for this year. We raised £381.58 which was up £38.47 on last year.
Peter Groom’s efforts to acquire a defibrillator for the cricket club have been successful and it is now located in the pavilion. Along with the other volunteers I enjoyed the training session, on the 15th Dec, It didn’t go quite as planned but at least we didn’t need to use it, long may that continue! It is intended to have other training sessions so if you missed the last one please see Peter.
The new year has started well with a good attendance on the monthly walk, despite the weather. The Indoor bowls session at Crewe on Tuesday 20 January saw a good turn out of members and partners and afterwards at the Travellers Inn at Scholar Green for lunch. I look forward to an enjoyable musical evening with the Pie and Pea supper on the 29th, so dust of those CDs and let’s start the new year with a swing.
Graham Tunnicliff
The speaker today is Mr Mark Quick who will talk to us about “Drugs in the Community”.
Birthdays during February 2015
Peter Crowther Green, Alan Henshall, Robert Kay, Terry Cook, Trevor Proudman, Derek Morris, Roy Bailey.
Defibrillator Training
The following members received training in the use of automated external defibrillators:-
D. Birchall, C. Brough, G. Brown, L. Dale, P. Groom, N. Hart, B. Knapper, M. Nield, F. Timmis, G. Tunnicliff.
Many thanks for volunteering.
P. Groom.
Rotary Reindeer Collection
Probus members assisted the Rotary Reindeer collection on Saturday 20 December 2014 at Home Bargains. Thanks to the following:-
C. Brough, T. Cook, L. Dale, D. Fletcher, A. Ford, N. Hankey, D. Morris, F. Timmis, G. Tunnicliff, K. Williamson.
Their endeavours raised a total of £381.58, which will be distributed to local charities. The sum raised was £38.47p more than last year.
Many thanks, a great effort!
P. Groom.
Telephone List
A new member’s telephone list has been issued this month. It shows the member’s name, wife/partner along with address and telephone number. Please ensure you pick up a copy at the meeting on the 28th January 2015.
Door2Door Transport
This is a friendly transport service for residents of Newcastle under Lyme who experience mobility problems and cannot use public transport easily. It can be used for shopping, visiting friends, day care centres and clubs, private business, health related appointments and social/recreational events.
Charges
There is a minimum charge of £4.00 per journey. Thereafter a charge of £0.70 per mile or part mile.
To book a driver please telephone 01782 621936
For more information, use the link on the Probus website.
Walk Report
This month’s walk was a local walk starting and finishing at the Boathorse Road Car Park to Bathpool Country Park.
In spite of the recent poor weather 14 walkers braved the rain and set off to walk a circular route to Westport Lake and its visitor centre.
The walk started from the car park heading towards the lake along a fairly muddy path, before crossing the railway line to continue through the park to reach the road at Peacocks Hay.
Turning left here and following the road to join the Trent and Mersey Canal at Harecastle Tunnel, continuing along the towpath to reach Westport Lake for a welcome hot drink and snack at the visitor centre.
Following a lap of the lake with its flocks of wildfowl we returned to the cars.
As it was Aubrey Lowndes funeral at 2:00pm there was no organised lunch this month.
Next month’s walk will be on February 4th, meet at the usual Kidsgrove car park 09:30hrs. The destination is to be advised.
Please note there will always be a walk irrespective of the weather and as this walk proved we don’t need sunshine to enjoy ourselves.
Graham Tunnicliff
Snowdrop Walks
The snowdrop walks start at Rode Hall on the 7th February to 8th March. All saints’ church will also be open again from 1.00pm to 4.00pm each day except Monday. The church will be decorated with candles, snowdrops and seasonal flowers and homemade refreshments will be available when the church is open.
Admission is free. I do hope you will come and enjoy this annual event.
John Lowe.
Holidays
The holiday to Weymouth in April is now fully booked and the balance payment of £294.00 is due to be paid by 21st February 2015.
A further holiday has been arranged with Alpha to the Royal Norfolk Hotel, Bognor Regis for 7 days departing 23rd August 2015 at a cost of £379.00 per person. Names and deposit of £30.00 will be required by the end of January 2015. Outings to Chichester, Portsmouth and Arundel are included in this holiday.
A possible holiday to Southern Ireland has been suggested for 2016 and some indication of whether this would be viable is essential at the end of February as it is necessary to make bookings at least twelve months ahead to ensure accommodation and dates.
Hollisheads have a trip to Thursford for the Christmas Spectacular on the 19th to 21st November 2015. Cost £235.00.
Dates for Your Diary
| Wednesday | 28 Jan 2015 | Probus Ordinary Meeting at the Cricket Club. Meet 9.30am for 10.00am start. |
| Thursday | 29 Jan 2015 | Probus Music Evening at the Cricket Club. Meet at 7.30pm. Bring along a C.D of your choice and select a track to be played. There will be a pie and pea supper. Cost £3.00 with free raffle. Everyone welcome. |
| Wednesday | 4 Feb 2015 | Probus Walk. Venue T.B.A. |
| Wednesday | 18 Feb 2015 | Probus Luncheon Club Meeting at the Bears Head Brereton. Meet 12.30pm for 1.00pm start. Being organised by Alan Henshall and John Crutchley. To be confirmed. |
| Wednesday | 25 Feb 2015 | Probus Ordinary Meeting at the Cricket Club. Meet 9.30am for 10.00am start. |
| Any articles or information to be included in the Probus Newsletter needs to be in the hands of the editor, Michael Nield, ten days prior to the monthly meeting. E-Mail to michael.nield@btinternet.com |