Our regular monthly Club meetings were on hold as a consequence of Covid. These resumed on August 10th 2021 with appropriate covid measures in place and have been very well attended. Our small special interest groups are continuing to meet and have become a very important feature of club membership.
Walking Group – Hurst Castle – 18th January
On a beautiful winter’s morning, ten of us chose to blow away the post-Christmas cobwebs with a bracing walk from Keyhaven out to Hurst Castle. Beautiful views, birdlife and some not too strenuous exercise rounded off by a well-earned pint.
Walking Group – Keyhaven 19th October
A blustery, overcast day but not enough to discourage the eight intrepid souls who met, along with flocks of twitchers, in the Keyhaven Car Park. The walk out along the seawall was bracing but the views were amazing and the birdlife was an additional pleasure. The return journey along good tracks and quiet lanes was just as delightful but our sense of well-being evaporated when we arrived back at the Gun Inn to find it closed! Plan B was put into effect and The Three Tuns provided the very well-earned refreshments.
Election of New Committee
At the AGM on the 12th October, the following were elected to serve on the Committee for the year ahead: –
- President: Stephen Dennison
- Immediate Past President: Len Morel
- Vice-President: Bernard Gilbert
- Treasurer: Bernard Gilbert
- Membership: Stephen Dennison
- Meetings: Paul Burton
- Speakers: Post vacant
- Social: John Brace
- Members: Richard Evans, Lindsay Reid
Visit to Haynes Motor Museum – 22nd September
Not the easiest place to get to from Bransgore but well worth the journey. A fascinating display of cars from “I had one of those” to “I wish I had one of those” and, simply: “wow! We must go again. . .
Committee Meeting – 7th September
The President welcomed Richard Evans and Lindsay Reid to the meeting as prospective members of the committee.
Most other matters were of a routine nature other than an agreement to develop a password-protected Members-only area on the website to allow members easy access to items such as the Club Constitution, Membership Lists, Financial Papers etc. The password will be sent on request to individual members on request.
Committee Meeting – 2nd August
The first “live” meeting for over a year! In addition to the usual Officers’ Reports, two items of special significance were discussed: –
- The date of the AGM has been fixed for Tuesday 12th October at Tyrrell’s Ford.
- Membership subscriptions for new members will be £25 with effect from the 1st January. Subscriptions for current members will remain at £20 for the year 2021/22.
Summer BBQ 23rd July
A fine evening, good food, great company and a beautiful venue! What more could you ask for our first Probus gathering in over a year? The initial feedback suggests that all who attended had a very enjoyable evening and we extend our warmest thanks to Stephen and Ruth for their hospitality. Thanks also go to everyone who brought either salads or desserts. They were superb!
Probus Walkers
September Walk – Tuesday 21st September
14 people and one dog turned out for the September walk from Steamer Point to Hengistbury Head via the Beach Hut (for a hearty breakfast) and the Mudeford Ferry. The weather was hot and sunny and the beer afterwards in The Haven was most welcome. Next walk is on October 19th – details in Activities.
Walk on the 20th July
On one of the hottest days of the year, our walk started from Millyford Bridge Car Park, near Emery Down, and on to the nearby Portugese Fire Place, built by Portugese Troops in World War 1. From there to the Knightwood Oak via the Reptile Centre and then back to the car park across some surprisingly boggy ground. A very pleasant amble through the forest.
We agreed not to walk in August and the September date will be announced nearer the time. Bernard Gilbert
Genealogy Group update
The genealogy group had its latest meeting on 27th September. A small but amazingly good looking group gathered at my house and had to sit through a presentation on how and where the Morels had managed to turn a fortune to very little in only 6 generations, in order to earn their coffee and biscuits.
The Morels covered include my 4th Gt Grandfather nicknamed “the Oil Baron” who was a very rich fellow, through successive generations which included a failed solicitor, a tobacconists shopworker turned Carman, a tobacco stripper turned comedian and an electrician turned engineer. (It is little wonder with that background that I have had many different jobs in my own career). We also looked at those properties where the family lived . With all the family bar me having been born and spent their entire lives within 5 miles of Buckingham Palace just finding the streets after all the post blitz rebuilding was a real challenge, let alone finding the individual addresses.
Next meeting is at John Symons place on 22nd November. If you would like to come along give him or me a ring.
Len Morel