Author: P83WPAdmin

Our Chairman prefaced the 2024 Members’ Booklet thus:

2023 proved to be a successful year for us bearing in mind the existential threat we faced following the Covid fall out.

We have increased our numbers in the period largely due to our members’ efforts and we look to do the same this year.

Covid, especially pre-vaccine and luncheon clubs for retired professionals didn’t mix but we kept going, initially with virtual meetings, followed by “real” lunches when permitted. Unsurprisingly we lost members but, as life normalised, growth resumed and 2024 continues the trend. Our current situation is:

• Membership, although lower than pre Covid, has substantially recovered and continues to grow as we welcome new members
• Early 2022 saw the resumption of “real” monthly lunch and Family Finances Forum meetings after the Zoom interim
• Summer 2024 has seen the resumption of golf matches against other clubs, the most recent won by us.
• Bowls and Visits have yet to resume.

Members met on Thursday 9th June for our monthly meeting at Weybourne House.

Our after lunch speaker was Jay Woogara, one of our own members. His fascinating talk charted his progress from a difficult start to life in Mauritius – father died when he was young and the family couldn’t afford to send him to secondary school – to a law degree, PhD and qualification as a barrister.

Probus ’83 is back in business for 2022, albeit operating with suitable precautions where appropriate. Following a successful February 2022 lunch meeting we re-commence our monthly FFG meetings. John Coleman writes:

We will be holding the first physical meeting of the Family Finances Group in 2022 next Thursday, 17 February.
Since we last met in November 2021, much has happened that could have a potential negative impact on investments – not least the growth of inflation, particularly the cost of energy, interest rate rises, fiscal tightening, supply-chain problems, the effect of Omicron, poor Chinese stock market performance, the threat of conflict between Russia and Ukraine and an uncertain future for the current Prime Minister. Consequently, our meeting will be an internal discussion focussing on how such events may influence your future investment strategy and whether the drop in the “Technology” and “Growth” sectors of the stock-market since the New Year are likely to be short term blips or part of a longer term trend. So, please come along and hear the views and investment strategies of other similar retirees and perhaps share your thoughts on the matter.

As usual, we begin gathering at Weybourne House (GU2 4DR) from 9.45am onwards and the meeting will start at 10.00am. To cover the cost of hiring the venue and the provision of refreshments, we need to reinstate the previous charge of £4.00 for attendance.

Remember, all are welcome to attend our meetings and you can be sure of a warm reception – so, why not give it a try.

On behalf of the FFG Steering Group

This month we welcome as our guest speaker  Pete Yeomans, his talk this month is entitled

MODEL T FORD ACROSS AMERICA

The model T was produced by the Ford Motor Company from October 1908 to May 1927. It was generally regarded as the first affordable motor car,  at a relatively low price.  It is estimated some 15 million were produced.

Today Pete will talk about the coast to coast trip across America from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean some 3000 miles.  He has owned 2 model T’s.    In 2008 to celebrate its centenary Pete took part in this historic rally, and I am sure this will prove to be an interesting morning.

Fred

John Coleman writes:

Dear All,

It has been said that we’re all on a journey through life with different routes but with the same ultimate destination. Like any journey, it pays to make appropriate preparations if you want things to go smoothly. Consequently, David Bott has invited the local firm of solicitors Moore Barlow to talk to the FFG next Thursday, 17 June, on the preparations one should make to minimise the problems (and potential loss) for one’s family and beneficiaries in the event of your death.

The Zoom presentation will be given by Dan Milano and Libby Wardle, who will be pleased to take questions after their talk. Whilst it’s a grim subject, it is something that shouldn’t be ignored if you wish things to run smoothly after your passing. So please take this opportunity to listen to experts, who have sadly all too often seen the consequences of poor planning.

The precise content of the talk will be at the discretion of Moore Barlow but the following issues are likely to be covered:

• What are the appropriate preparations for making a “smooth” exit from this life.
• What if one is responsible as an Executor of a Will and for arranging Probate?
• Just how complicated is it?
• What are the common pitfalls to be aware of?

Please join the meeting next Thursday morning by clicking on the link provided by John’s email.

Following a very interesting talk last month from the USA, this month we return closer to home in fact Guildford.

Local speaker David Rose returns, he is well known to many of us from his previous visits and  his talk this month is entitled  A DROP OF THE HARD AND SOFT STUFF, the history of our local brewing and soft drinks industry.  Guildford had  a ready supply of local grown hops  and barley and quality water making it an ideal centre for the production of  beer and fizzy drinks.  Guildford at one time had 6 breweries, mainly centred around the Bury Street and the Portsmouth Road.   Should prove to be an interesting morning, especially those with an interest in local history.          Hopefully meetings will return to normal in July.

Fred

This month we welcome James Dickinson who will present an interesting talk entitled

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Theodore Roosevelt was a larger than life character almost of contemporary times. He was was not only just a President of the United States at the beginning of the 20th Century. He was was a rancher and cowboy, an adventurer, explorer, lover of nature and a conservationist. He was also a soldier, Colonel Roosevelt, whom led his own company of Rough Riders into war against the Spanish.   From this you will gather he led a varied and interesting life, so if gardening is on the agenda for our May meeting make yourself a coffee sit down and join us,

Fred

John Coleman writes:

The sad passing of Prince Philip brings home the mortality that awaits us all and focuses attention on the potential financial implications of this event on our surviving heirs. Let us hope that we all have as long as Prince Philip to plan for such events, who’s age of 99 years and 10 months is quite an achievement.

The topic of the next meeting of the Family Finances Group on Thursday 15 April is very apt. The Zoom meeting will be hosted by Florence Wilson of Octopus Investments, who are renowned for creating a range of potential tax-mitigation investment vehicles. (Obviously, alternative options also exist.)

So if you or your heirs don’t like the idea of 40% of your surviving spouse’s estate over the Nil-Rate Band threshold being lost to Inheritance Tax or if you are in the fortunate position of facing a large Capital Gains Tax bill, it should be relevant to hear what Octopus Investments have to say about their range of tax mitigation investments. This will include the financial performance/costs/risks/potential benefits/types of investments/etc./ of their various investment vehicles. After the presentation, there will be ample time for any questions that you may wish to raise in connection with this important subject.

As usual, the meeting will commence at 10.00am but to minimise the risk of disruption at the start, it will be helpful if you could join the meeting a few minutes before 10.00am.

The log-in details are as per John’s email.

All aboard !! Todays talk by Paul is entitled  BRITAINS HERITAGE RAILWAYS

This is a wide-ranging and colourful look at some of the very best of our steam heritage lines. The beautifully restored stations, locomotives and carriages,  the places they serve and the volunteers who recreate the memories of rail travel from a more leisurely time. Pure steamy nostalgia!!! 

Paul has had a life time interest in rail travel and is a member of several preserved lines.   So have your ticket ready and join us at 10am on April 1st.

Fred

The FFG Meeting next Thursday will be the first trial of occasional “Workshop/Forum Meetings”, as described in the attachment to this invitation sent via email.

Topic: FFG meeting next Thursday 18 March – Chaired by Philip Watson – “Forum/Workshop”
Time: Mar 18, 2021 10:00 AM London

[For joining details, see email sent to members by John Coleman]

The meeting will be Chaired by Philip Watson, who will introduce us to the concept of a “Workshop/Forum Meeting” and he will be looking to participants to briefly outline a current experience/question for the members. Feedback and involvement from all others at the meeting is encouraged. If anyone is uncertain as to what questions or issues may be appropriate, please contact Philip, who will be pleased to help you formulate your ideas.