January 2016 – Probus Club of Kidsgrove

President’s Remarks

I hope that you all had a peaceful and joyous Christmas, and I wish you and your families a happy and healthy new year as we look forward to another glorious year of Probus activities and holidays.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the Christmas Lunch a great success. Personally I felt the meal and the new venue were both excellent and I have had many favourable comments from other members.

I would also like to thank those members who gave both their time and effort to collect monies from the generous people of Kidsgrove on behalf of the Rotary Clubs Christmas appeal. It is a very worthwhile activity, and any members who have not yet participated, but would like to do so, please bear it in mind for next year.

The new year activities have started well with the indoor bowls sessions at Biddulph well attended.

I am pleased to say that Michael our Secretary is now recovering from his stay in Hospital.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has sent me get well wishes, cards and visits following my recent fall resulting in the fracture to my left arm. i very much appreciate everyone’s concern.

Stephen Rhodes

The Speaker today is Mr Bob Kermeen who will talk to us about The Dr Kelly Mystery

Birthdays during February 2016.

Peter Crowther-Green, Alan Henshall, Robert Kay, Terry Cook, Derek Morris, Roy Bailey.

Rotary Reindeer Collection

Many thanks to probians, Len Dale, Frank Timmis, Dennis Fletcher, Adrian Ford, Ken Williamson, Derek Morris, Cliff Triner, Norman Hankey, Graham Tunnicliff, Terry Cook, Garry Bell, Andrew Dimelow, Chris Brough, who volunteered to assist Kidsgrove Rotary Club at their annual Reindeer Collection.

Between them they raised £341.00

Many thanks – Well done!

Peter Groom

Message from Michael Nield

Michael would like to thank everyone who has sent get well cards with warm and caring wishes, telephone calls and visits to hospital and his home during the course of his illness.

Probus February Walk

This month’s walk is on Wednesday 3^rd February. It is a short walk around Barthomley going through Mill Dale so not far to travel this time. We can park in the grounds of the church next to the church hall.

I suggest we have lunch in the White Lion pub built in 1614 in company with

the dead rat trapped and on show in the wattle and daub wall (skeleton only).

Please meet on the tiered car parks in Kidsgrove at 9:30

Garry Bell.

Probus Luncheon Club Meeting

Members, wives and friends are invited to attend the next Probus Luncheon Club Meeting to be held at the Legs of Man at Smallwood on Thursday 18 February 2016. Meet at the Restaurant 12.30pm for a1.00pm start.

Please advise your choice of meal from a menu that is being circulated at the meeting on Wednesday 27 January 2016. The event is being organised by Andrew Dimelow.

Eating in the Fifties…

Pasta had not been invented.
Curry was an unknown entity.
Olive oil was kept in the medicine cabinet.
Spices came from the Middle East where we believe that they were used for embalming.
Herbs were used to make rather dodgy medicine.
A takeaway was a mathematical problem.
A pizza was something to do with the leaning tower.
The only vegetables known to us were spuds, peas, carrots and cabbage.
All crisps were plain; the only choice we had was whether we should leave any in the packet.
Condiments consisted of salt, pepper, vinegar and Worcester sauce if we were lucky.
Soft drinks were called cordial.
Coke was something that was used by blacksmiths.
Rice was a milk pudding, and never part of our dinner.
A Big Mac was what we wore when it was raining.
A Pizza Hut was an Italian shed.
A microwave was something out of a science fiction movie.
Brown bread was something only posh people ate.
Oil was for lubricating your bike not for cooking, lard and fat was for cooking.
Bread and jam was a punishment.
Tea was made in a teapot using tea leaves, not bags.
Tea had only one colour, black. Green tea etc. was not kosher.
Coffee was only drunk when we had no tea.
Cubed sugar was regarded as a bit of an over kill.
Hors d’oeuvre was a spelling mistake and totally foreign.
The starter was our main meal.
Soup was a main meal.
The menu consisted of what we were given and was set in stone for the whole family.
Only Heinz made beans, any others were impostors.
Leftovers went in the dog.
Special food for dogs and cats was unheard of.
Sauce was either brown or red.
Fish was only eaten on Fridays.
Fish didn’t have fingers in those days.
Eating raw fish was called poverty, not sushi.
Special meals only came from the fish and chip shop.
For the best taste fish and chips had to be eaten out of old newspapers.
Frozen food was called ice cream.
Nothing ever went off in the fridge because there was no such thing.

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday	27 Jan 2016	Probus Ordinary Meeting at the Cricket Club. Meet 9.30am for 10.00am start.
Wednesday	3 Feb 2016	Probus walk around Barthomley. Meet at the car park in Kidsgrove at 9.30am. Being organised by Garry Bell.
Tuesday	9 Feb 2016	Probus Bowls at the Biddulph Valley Leisure Centre. Start 11.00am – 13.00pm
Thursday	18 Feb 2016	Probus Luncheon Club at the Legs of Man at Smallwood. Meet 12.30pm for 1.00pm start. Being organised by Andrew Dimelow.
Wednesday	24 Feb 2016	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