Our August 2025 Meeting welcomed a return visit by Lorimer Burn as our speaker with “A Caribbean Adventure” as his talk title. Lorimer, a former British Midland 737/A320 captain, started his flying career as a Naval helicopter pilot. His talk described his early training, initially at Dartmouth, and an early deployment to the Caribbean. It’s a lovely day for a swim in mid Atlantic; the water’s nice and warm and only 13,000 feet deep. BTW, do watch out for triangular fins.

Our October lunch meeting will be on Thursday 2nd October. Our speaker will be Tony Insall (ex-Diplomatic Service) with his talk: “The madness of courage World War 1“

Weybourne House has increased the monthly lunch charge by £2 and as explained at our September meeting the club has had little option but to increase the cost to members from £27 to £29 wef our October meeting on Thursday 2nd October.

No “Latest News” updates for a while could imply that Probus 83 is withering on the vine or in some catatonic state. 

The reality is that this year to date our monthly lunches and FFF (Family Finances Forum) meetings have been well supported and we have welcomed several new members.

Here’s a summary of our 2025 lunch meetings:

January 2025 Lunch

Our speaker: our fellow member Tony Mallard

The topic – “A policeman’s lot is not a happy one!”

February 2025 Lunch

Our speaker: Paul Whittle

The topic – “Steaming On” which is based on Heritage Railways

March 2025 Lunch

Our speaker: Richard Harris

The topic – “Victorians at Leisure.”

April 2025 Lunch

Our speaker: Andy Richardson

The topic – “Britain’s amazing aircraft industry – what happened?”

May 2025 Lunch

Our speaker: Pete Stammers

The topic – “How did WW2 end in Europe?”

June 2025 Lunch

Summer Guest Lunch

July 2025 Lunch

Our speaker: David Nicholson

The topic – “Brooklands, Birthplace of British Motor Racing.”

August 2025 Lunch

Our speaker: Ian Worley

The topic – “The fascinating life of Charles Darwin.”

The FFF (Family Finances Forum) has also held a full schedule of meetings but is currently enjoying its customary July/August summer break as members enjoy spending their winnings.

 

A very happy and prosperous New Year to you all. And may all your investments be merry and bright. Now for a slightly negative note. We live in inflationary times and, as a result of a £2 per head lunch and venue hire cost increase by Weybourne House, the monthly lunch meeting cost is now £27 as agreed at our November 2024 AGM.

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