PRESIDENT’S REPORT – PAINSWICK PROBUS CLUB 2022-2023
Lectures started as usual in September and we had a full program throughout the year. The AGM followed in October and the existing team was voted in for another year.
Lecture Programme
This year’s lectures have ranged from Medical Dogs, Gunpowder Plot, Gloucester Cathedral, Cold War Spies, and locally Painswick Mills. We have also featured member speakers with Paul Sparks with his life and times pt1, the Jenkins on Namibia, Ian Breckels on an Assignment in Egypt, Mike Houghton on his life and Times, and Henry Hall on his Engineering career with the RAF pt 2.
Membership/finance
We currently have 43 members; a little down on last year. We do then encourage members to invite all retired or partially retired neighbours or newcomers to the village, as well as those from nearby villages and the surrounding area, to come along as a guest to a meeting as a taster. A revised recruitment poster will be available at the AGM
Sadly since the last AGM Keith Archer, Geoffrey Archer, Keith Hardwidge and Maurice Maggs have passed away.
Finance is never far from our minds, and the disruption of recent years and the rising costs have put pressure on our budget.
Events and Social Activities
In September a group had a very excellent lunch at the Wye Valley Smokery.
Dinner with the Ladies was held at the Richmond Village with a good attendance of 49. The feedback indicated that the evening was enjoyed by all.
In January 2022 Probus had a very entertaining evening at the Centre skittle alley, where we beat the WI for the 3rd year running.
In May we had a lecture to which wives and partners were invited, followed by a finger buffet. It was an excellent lecture on the subject of the Brain by Prof. Colin Terrell.
Location
In June we had notice to leave the Painswick Centre, and after quickly reviewing available alternatives, we moved to the auditorium of the Richmond Village until the year end. The room is of a suitable size, well appointed with projection, microphone and good heating. We thank Committee Member Phil Morris for making the arrangements. A bar and lite bite lunches are also available to members after the meeting.
Committee
The current Committee has been serving Probus for some years, and it is now vital that we get some new members, to help us with the running of the club.
Our thanks are due to Henry Hall as Speaker Secretary, John Rohrbeck as Treasurer, Ian Eastwood as Secretary and Phil Morris as Committee member.
Mike Steed November 2023