Author: P83WPAdmin

We welcomed back Paul Whittle for this month’s talk ROCK STEADY THE GIBRALTAR STORY and what an interesting story it turned out to be. Paul a regular visitor left no stoned unturned to deliver the Rocks History especially the last 300 years which covered the British involvement. For those who have not visited Gibraltar before the first thing you notice is the British feel about the place, Red Pillar Boxes British style Policeman and of course Fish and Chips.!! Pauls’s tour took to us all the main points of interest, with the aid of many photos, and commentary you almost thought you were there. He covered the 30 miles of tunnels, with its interesting gun emplacements, the cable car trip, Botanical Gardens, and the Rock itself together with legendry Apes. A very interesting morning which was enjoyed by all.

One of the hairier inhabitants…

And the famous Rock itself.

Fred J Knopp Speaker Secretary

We welcome back Paul Whittle whose talk this month  is  entitled Rock-Steady- The Gibraltar Story. The talk covers the Rock’s history, heritage and fortifications and the role it continues to play both economically and militarily.  Gibraltar a British territory since 1704.  I am sure many of us have been to Gibraltar and will relate to this subject.

Fred J Knopp     Speaker Secretary

 

 

A message from Mike Sinclair:

Dear fellow Guildford Probus ’83 members.

At our last meeting in his talk of “The Devils Chariots” we did not see all of John Glanfield’s slides, especially the ones where highly imaginative but impractical machines were tried out. John has kindly offered and that he provides you with an opportunity to see these missed slides.

John will extract these slides from his presentation and give those of us who may be interested a half hour pre our next meeting starting at 11:00 in the dining area.

The next Family Finances Group (FFG) meeting will be on Thursday 20 February, when our Guest Speaker will be Chris Cain of Grace Consulting, based in Albury, which specializes in advising families in connection with choosing appropriate care when it is needed – often with little warning or preparation.

Chris will talk about their experience in helping their clients choose “what is best for the person”, which ranges from care in their own home to choosing a suitable Care/Nursing Home close to the family that has the best facilities and staff who are experienced in the particular needs of the person concerned. He will also briefly discuss the funding of care, including the potential support available and considers that the “Best” is not always the most expensive.

The Grace Consulting team sometimes works with families who need assistance “convincing the family of what is best for the Client” – and, in this context, remember the old adage “Keep your relationship with your children strong, because it is they who are likely to eventually choose your Care Home!”

Grace Consulting offers a UK-wide service, so it can help in connection with relatives living in any part of the country.

So why not come along to the Family Finances Group meeting next Thursday, when you will be free to ask any questions that you may have on this difficult and sensitive topic and will be better prepared if “Care” is ever needed within your family.

We gather for coffee and biscuits at Weybourne House from 9.45am for a 10.00am start of the meeting and aim to finish by noon.
All Probus ’83 members are welcome.

This month we welcomed John Glanfield, his talk was entitled The Devils Chariot. John had written a book by the same name which gives the history of WW1 tank.
The talk was very informative and interesting.
The original tank was designed from agricultural equipment at the time, The Generals were reluctant to change after all the Cavalry was King but with the war at stalemate with no progress being made and horrendous losses, something had to change,
H had to become HP mechanized!!
The leading light of a mechanized armored vehicle was Lt Col Ernest Swinton and with the support of Winston Churchill, the General Staff finally agreed. Their specification for vehicle included top speed 4mph with the ability to climb a 5 ft parapet.
Finally, Mark 1 arrived although unreliable changed the outcome of the war. For the crew inside the Devils Chariot, it was not a pleasant experience for many, they never recovered, but it was said, it was better than being in a trench and at the sound of a whistle scrambled out and mown down by well placed German machine guns.

Oh oh oh What a lovely War…….I don’t think so.!!!!!

Fred J Knopp Speaker Secretary

I lived in Dorset for 40 years and I often visited the Tank Museum in Bovington.  Of all the many vehicles on display, one that took my eye was a First World War Tank.

My immediate reaction was, anyone who got inside deserved a medal. It was very cramped, very noisy, extemely hot,  full of fumes and almost impossible to get out in a hurry.  In other words a mobile death trap, but helped to turn the war in our favour.

Our speaker today has written a book entitled The Devil’s Chariot and many of these points will probably be covered.

John will explain  who designed and built the Tank. and how did it evolve. Although originally meant for the Navy for use by the Royal Marine crew, it was switched to the  Army,  why the change?  How did it perform in battle?…..with many more questions with  answers.!!!  Get yours ready!!!

Fred J Knopp Speaker Secretary

 

Speaker Secretary Fred Knopp reports:

For our first meeting in 2020, we welcomed Brian Cumming MBE as our guest speaker to talk about the history and his life as a Chelsea Pensioner in the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Brian was very easy to listen to,  and it was an interesting subject delivered with humour.

Briefly,  the the history of the Hospital it was commissioned by King Charles 11 in 1682, and to be designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren. The building was completed in 1692 and in the succeeding years there has been many additions and alterations.

He was a career soldier and spent 33 years in the Royal Corps of Signals.

His involvement with the Royal Hospital came about by accident, his dear wife Pauline had died and his daughter asked him to join her in Australia which he was reluctant to do, when one day whilst walking he met a Chelsea Pensioner dressed in his Scarlet uniform he stopped,  talked and was invited to visit which he did.  Impressed by what he saw  he applied,  met all the criteria to be a member, over 65 and clean millitary record, after all why did he need a four bedroomed house.

He is now thoroughly involved in the life of a Chelsea Pensioner and has become an ambassador travelling far and wide raising money for charity.

His talk was well received and he answered many points that were raised.

He was introduced by our Chairman Barry Calder and a warm thank you was given by Neville Lyons. 

 

 

 

 

 

John Coleman sends the following message to Probus ’83 members:

(Outgoing) Speaker Secretary Ian Rutter reports (for the last time!) :

On January 9th, we welcome as our speaker, Brian Cumming MBE GCStG, a pensioner from The Royal Hospital, Chelsea. A native of Plymouth, Brian was educated at Plympton Grammar School and enlisted into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1950 at the age of 18. 

He had met Patricia three years earlier and they were married just a few days before he was posted to Egypt, leaving her behind in Devon. He did not return until he was 21, but after that, Patricia accompanied him on all his missions. Brian served for 33 years in the Royal Corps and then spent 14 years in welfare work at the Ministry of Defence, for which he was awarded an MBE.

Following the death of Patricia in 2009, his application to enter the Royal Hospital was accepted. “The moment I arrived, I knew that it was the place for me”, he will tell us. Apart from his work as a tour guide at the Hospital, Brian is an excellent and entertaining speaker. He will present an overview of life in a Grade One listed residence for Army veterans, which was built in 1682, on the command of King Charles II, under the direction of Sir Christopher Wren.

It promises to be a presentation, which is not to be missed.

Oh yes! Brian is also one of us, as he is a Past-Chairman of the Drake Probus Club, (now merged with the Plymouth City Probus Club).

Speaker Secretary Ian Rutter reports:

The preparations for the Lunch had been going so smoothly, but then a couple of spanners landed in the works.

First, the office of the Mayor of Guildford advised us that, with great regret, the Mayor would be unable to attend, but that his Deputy would be pleased to lunch with us instead. Then, at 9.30am on the day itself, I switched on my mobile ‘phone to find that I had three voicemails from the husband of Margaret Watson, our after-lunch entertainer, saying that she was ill and would be unable to play her harp for us. However, he had been able to find another harpist, who could deputise for Margaret.

So, the Deputy Mayor and a substitute harpist – in the event, did we feel short-changed? Absolutely not!!

We already knew Deputy Mayor Councillor Marsha Moseley and her Consort, Councillor Nigel Manning, from Christmas 2017, when Nigel was the Mayor and Marsha was his Consort and, this year, we greatly enjoyed their company once again.

However, we thought that the renowned concert harpist, Margaret Watson, would be a very hard act to follow, but Heather Wrighton’s performance was delightful and received many plaudits.

Heather started playing the harp at the age of 6 and eventually graduated with honours at the Royal Academy of Music. Currently, she freelances as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician. In the set which she played for us, Heather included lilting melodies especially written for the harp and musical items, such as ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and ‘Bring in the Clowns’. She finished with a jazz number – yes, jazz! – which superbly demonstrated the surprising versatility of her instrument.

However, there was no surprise when, following Chairman Barry Calder’s vote of thanks, there was very warm applause for Heather, both for stepping in at last moment and for the quality and enjoyment of her performance.