President’s Remarks May 2018
We were all saddened by the passing of Peter Lowe. Peter was very much a large part of Probus. He had been a council member for a number of years and was President in 2011/12. He was also a social committee member and many of us have very happy memories of holidays, social evenings and outings which he had organised and being a keen photographer he would often give us photograph to help recall those moments. Peter of course started the photographic competition to encourage us with our endeavours in this field.
As expected a large number of people, including most of our Probus members joined Doreen and the family in a lovely service of thanksgiving for Peter’s life led by Mike Gollins. It was a wonderful tribute to a much loved friend who will be sadly missed and long remembered. Our thoughts are with Doreen and the family at this sad time.
I firmly believe that the contribution over the years made by Peter, John Manley and Len Harrop in many ways helped to shape the successful club, which we enjoy today. And long may it continue.
What a glorious month May can be. Our gardens are a riot of colour. The trees are heavy with blossoms and at last we are enjoying some warm and sunny days. May always has a particular significance to Pauline and I because it is the month we celebrate our wedding anniversary and this year is our 55th. How those years have flown by!
This year it coincided with our Presidents Evening Dinner at the Manor Hotel and so it was very appropriate that we were able to share our special day with our Probus friends and some of our family. It was a joyous occasion. A lovely evening enjoyed by everyone, with a good meal, good entertainment amidst a lot of good friends.
Unfortunately I will not be attending our May meeting as I shall be enjoying a prearranged break with some of the grandchildren in London which I am given to understand will include experiencing the wonders and wizardry of Harry Potter!! The meeting therefore will be in the very capable hands of our previous President Adrian Ford.
Finally I would just like to remind members that next month (June) is our AGM therefore we need to be thinking about nominations for the various posts.
Terry Dale President
Today’s speaker is Mr D Simmons. His subject is ‘The Life & Times of Howard Hughes’ (Part 1)
Birthdays in June 2018
Frank Eld, Adrian Ford, Norman Hankey, Michael Johnson,
Fred Maxfield and David Tipper.
Tribute to Peter Lowe
Doreen and family would like to thank Probus members for their support and kindness during Peter’s illness. It is good to know that Peter will be remembered by many people who enjoyed his company and respected him. Your cards, messages and support at his funeral were appreciated by all the family.
Probus Tribute – Peter joined Kidsgrove Probus in 2000 and very soon became involved in arranging events. The walking group and club photographer were the first events he organised. He became Social Secretary in 2003/4 helping to organise club holidays and many days out with the help of John Manley, Frank Timmis and others.
Peter was President in 2011/12 a position that he enjoyed. Probus was very important to him and the friendship became part of his life. In fact, the last time I visited him in hospital, he said how much he had missed the meetings during his illness.
John Lowe.
NOMINEES FOR OFFICE 2018 – 2019 – MAY 2018
Forms will be issued to members’ at the meeting today to nominate members for office for the next year, at the AGM next month.
Terry Dale will retire as President to become Ex Officio.
John Vardon has had to resign from the position of Vice President due to health problems.This means that we will have to elect a new President and Vice President.
Ken Williamson’s term of 3 years as Social Secretary has come to an end and a replacement will be required.
Treasurer Graham Brown is in his 2nd term of office and Assistant Secretary Andrew Dimelow and Graham Tunnicliff as Archivist are in their 3rd year of office.
Nominations are required to replace Terry Cook on the council as he has now completed his 2nd year term. John Dunn, Barry Rogerson and David Tipper have 1 year left to serve on the council.
Other nominations required are for the office of Secretary and Speaker Secretary.
The following are willing to continue:-
Newsletter Editor Chris Brough
Club Photographer Peter Lloyd
Auditors To be appointed
Website Administrators Michael Nield, Peter Lloyd
Walk Leader Graham Tunnicliff
Bowls Organiser Len Dale
Nomination forms to be returned to the Secretary at the end of this meeting please!
Social Report May 2018
The main social event this month (apart from the Royal Wedding!) was the President’s Evening, again held at the Manor House Hotel Alsager on Friday the 25th May 2018. 72 members and friends attended and everyone enjoyed a fine meal with excellent entertainment for singing and dancing afterwards provided by Simon Garcia. It was also a pleasure to see a number of past members wives and partners in attendance.
Enquiries have been made for a Turkey and Tinsel Holiday – Llandudno at the Hydro Hotel first week in December 2018 and Ilfracombe third week in November 2018, which, due to other commitments were not acceptable. A further offer for a five day holiday at the Ambassador Hotel Llandudno departing on the 17th November 2018 at a cost of £295.00 per person has been offered and if acceptable names will be taken at the May meeting.
Arrangements for the visit to Middleport Pottery are on-going but hopefully a date for the visit will be advised at the May meeting.
Ken Williamson
Club Walk. Wednesday 2nd May
I always seem to start these walk reports with a resume of the day’s weather and it always mentions the fact that it never rains on the first Wednesday of the month. Well this report is different, enough said !!!!!!!!
Five of us, that is, three members, one wife and one widow braved the elements to visit Parrot’s Drumble. Thank you to those who phoned to give their apologies.
Despite the rain we had an enjoyable walk amidst the bluebells, although it was a little tricky underfoot with plenty of mud and tree roots to challenge us, but despite this we managed to stay upright (most of the time). The sun did put in an appearance occasionally and, not to be deterred we were thankful for the wet grass.
On our return we all made it back to the cars without muddy boots. Lunch was taken in The Swan and was most enjoyable and of course we left in the sunshine.
The next walk is on Wednesday June 6th. Meet on the tiered car park in Kidsgrove 9:30 am. Our destination is The Rudyard Hotel Car Park from where we will circumnavigate the lake in a clockwise direction, returning to the hotel for lunch
Graham Tunnicliff.
A Club Photograph will be attempted at this May meeting!
Club member Dave Birchall writes,
I’d just like to let you know that Sue and I are, once again, singing in a concert at Congleton. It’s a charity concert on Saturday 9th June at 7.30pm in Trinity Methodist Church, Wagg Street, Congleton. Tickets are £6.
Some of the songs are:- I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Leaving On A Jet Plane, Moonlight Serenade, Habanera, One Day More (From Les Mis), Drink To Me Only, Sound of Silence, to mention but a few. Refreshments are included. If you’re interested, tickets are available on the door or call Ellie on 07460 100103. It’ll be a good evening’s entertainment.
Dave.
My Hobby
When life gets dull and not much fun
And jobs pile up and don’t get done
Take up a hobby that’s the thing
Choose a pastime with a zing.
Flower arranging is a no go
And ignore the urge to sew
Walking by the rivers edge
Or climbing from a dangerous ledge.
There really is a lot to do
The choice is surely down to you
So I cast the dice for some inspiration
And found playing golf was my inclination.
As a sport it should be so relaxing
So why do my pals and I find it so very taxing
But when the game is over and we retire to the clubhouse bar
That’s the very best part – drinking a welcome cool jar.
John Dunn (Poet Laureate)
The Amateur Philosopher
For the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of the birds has come.
Yes, spring is here.
Song of Solomon 2: 11 – 12
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 our AGM on Wednesday 27th
of June at Kidsgrove Cricket Club, 9.30 for 10am.