PRESIDENT’S REMARKS SEPTEMBER 2019
Gentlemen, good morning and welcome to our September meeting.
Many thanks to Victor our vice president for taking charge of the council meeting while I was away.
I sadly have to report that former member Frank Eardley passed away on Monday 2nd of September at his nursing home, Bradwell Hall, aged 92. Some of our members attended his funeral at Bradwell Crematorium and we all extend our sympathies to his wife Lily and family.
Continuing on the sporting scene our test cricket team managed to claw out a draw from the ‘Ashes’ series, meaning that Australia still retain the trophy. Not a bad summer for our cricket fans.
Our national football team carried on their winning streak and look certain to qualify for the European Championship competition.
Congratulations to both teams.
John Dunn President.
Today’s speaker is John Miller :-
‘My Life at the BBC’
BIRTHDAYS IN SEPTEMBER
John Crutchley, Ken Williamson and Michael Woodcock.
INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBER :- Mr. George Harrap
CLUB SECRETARY WRITES,
A letter has been received from the Rotary Club of Kidsgrove asking for our support again at “The Annual Reindeer Collection” at Home Bargains, Kidsgrove on Saturday 14 December 2019. If you are free on this date and you can assist with the collection between 9.00am and 2.00pm please advise Graham Tunnicliff who is co-ordinating arrangements on behalf of Probus. Last year the club raised a record £356.70 for local charities
Car Parking at Llandudno Railway Station
Members going on the weekend break to the Evans Hotel at Llandudno can now book their car in at the Augusta Street car park in advance. To pre-book your car in for arrival on Friday 1st November, leaving on Monday 4 November, copy and paste the following link into your browser;- https://citycentre.apcoa.co.uk/carpark/location/llandudno-station-car-park/199/?_ga=2.117409862.1560571100.1569004871-861680570.1569004871
The cost is £8.00. and the fee will cover the cost of parking from midday Friday to midday Monday.
The club was saddened to hear from Dennis Fletcher who has come to the decision to resign from the club. He said that he had enjoyed his time as a member and appreciated all the effort the committee put in to organising days out, holidays, bowling lunches and much more. Unfortunately, due to ongoing health problems and certain medications it means he is unable to partake in the many activities that are organised for the benefit of members.
Dennis wishes to say a big thank you for all your good wishes and support and every success for the future. Regards Michael
SOCIAL REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2019
Names and deposits have been collected for the weekend break at the Evans Hotel in Llandudno on the 1st November 2019.
The Christmas Luncheon will take place at the Manor House Hotel Alsager on Wednesday 4th December 2019. Deposits and menu selection are required at the September meeting.
A seven day holiday has been arranged with Alfa Travel at the Cavendish Hotel Exmouth, departing Sunday 17th May 2020. Total price £364.00, names and deposits £50.00 will be collected at the September meeting. Insurance if required £26.00 per person.
A social evening and Beetle Drive will be held at the Cricket Club in March 2020.
The Presidents Evening will be held at the Manor House Hotel Alsager on Friday 29th May 2020.
The social committee considered the following outings and weekend breaks subject to viable numbers wishing to attend – Good Old Days at Leeds, Thursford Christmas Spectacular and a visit to the JCB Factory.
Ken Williamson.
PROBUS WALK, WEDNESDAY 4thSEPTEMBER
This month’s walk was centred on the hamlet of Denford and its pub the Holly Bush. Nine of us set out along the Cauldon Canal towpath in the direction of Cheddleton. The canal was quite busy with holiday makers and their narrow boats including “The Beatrice” which was full of children.
Our first stop was at the Cheddleton Flint Mill where we took advantage of it being open and a guide who was able to explain its workings. This Mill is well worth a visit and is open from Wednesday to Saturday. It has two large water wheels named George and Helen. Helen was working and was quite impressive.
Continuing our walk along the towpath we reached Basford Bridge which is where the Churnet Valley Steam Railway station is located. Here we left the canal to join another path through the woods, which offered us protection from a passing shower, once again back to Cheddleton and the towpath back to Denford for lunch. Walking in the opposite direction to the pub we met up with the children from The Beatrice which had broken down.
Lunch was in two halves, the main course being very good then things became chaotic as each time we ordered a desert there was a delay of 10 minutes only to be told that that choice was “off”. This happened several times until we eventually gave up and left without any.
The next walk will be on Wednesday October 2nd, departing from the tiered car park in KIdsgrove, destination Basford Bridge and The Boat Inn carpark,
where we continue along the towpath towards Froghall.
Graham Tunnicliff.
PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
The Photo Competition is open to all members and it will run until the October meeting. It is an open category competition. Please present up to two photos on 6 x 4 borderless glossy photo paper. The photos will be judged by the members at the November meeting.
Peter Lloyd.
PROBUS CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT THE MANOR HOUSE HOTEL ALSAGER
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER 2019
12.00 for 12.30pm start cost £23 each
MENU
Pressed Ham Hock and Garden Herb Terrine, pickled vegetables salad and toasted sourdough GF
Poached Salmon, potato and red onion salad, lemon emulsion, granary tuile GF
Chilled Fresh Fruit and Melon with charred Grapefruit V GF
Leek and Potato Soup with crispy leeks, bread and butter V
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Roast Breast of Turkey with pork and cranberry stuffing, pigs in blankets and gravy GF
Roast English Beef with Yorkshire pudding and a rich beef gravy GF
Baked Scottish Salmon Fillet with a parmesan and herb crumb, served with a lemon and dill cream sauce GF
Roasted Red Pepper, Courgette, Caramelised Red Onion and Cornish Brie Filo Tart with dressed rocket and a cherry tomato sauce V
All main courses served with roast potatoes, buttered sprouts, honey roast parsnips and thyme roast carrots
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Traditional Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce GF
Belgian Chocolate Profiteroles served with warm chocolate sauce V
Clementine Gel Mulled Winter Berry Cheesecake with spiced berry compote V
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Freshly Brewed Coffee or tea served with warm mince pies
Probus has paid £300 deposit to the Manor Hotel. Please let Graham Brown have a £10 per person cheque deposit as soon as possible. Also, let John Lowe have your menu requirements by returning the form, or email john.grace151@tiscali.co.uk by the September meeting.
In a recent linguistics competition held in London and attended by, supposedly, the best in the world at the subject, Samdar Balgobin, a Guyanese man, was the clear winner with a standing ovation which lasted over 5 minutes.
The final question of the competition was: ‘How do you explain the difference between COMPLETE and FINISHED in a way that is easy to understand?’ Some people say there is no difference between COMPLETE and FINISHED.’
Here is his astute answer: “When you marry the right woman, you are COMPLETE. When you marry the wrong woman, you are FINISHED. And when the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are COMPLETELY FINISHED!”
Submitted by David Tipper
THE AMATEUR PHILOSOPHER.
Never wrestle with a pig. You’ll both get dirty and the pig will enjoy it!
Anonymous
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 an inclusion in the next newsletter, articles should be delivered to the editor at least 7 days before the monthly meeting. Our next Probus meeting is the on Wednesday 30th October at Kidsgrove Cricket Club, 9.30 for 10am.