© 2020 by Probus Bourne End. Proudly created by Seeking Perfection Marketing
Club News 2024
Three Men in a Boat October 2024
Rochard Poad rekindled the 1889 story of “Three Men in a Boat To say nothing of Montmorency the dog – from Kingston to Oxford” based on the famous novel by Jerome K. Jerome. With a plethora of photos - both from the original era and recent - and laced with quotes from the original book. Members were taken on a delightful 90 mile journey taken originally in a rowing skiff passing under many Brunel bridges and other recognizable sights. Hampton Court, Old Windsor Lock and Castle. He highlighted the traffic jam in Boulter’s lock (with its famous photo) and then along the Cliveden stretch which the author considered “the nicest” part of the journey. He continued the journey with photos, old and new, of our local 1884 Sailing Club of Bourne End before the crew overnighted at Marlow, and later at Goring. On finally arriving in Oxford it rained so the three men in a boat returned to London by train !
This was an amusing tale of humorous situations during this journey past our very own beautiful stretch of river.
The Sky At Night September 2024
PROBUS members were treated to a brilliant and amusing The Sky at Night talk with amazing photographs of planets, nebulae, and stars that rivalled those from NASA but taken from Gordon Roger's Long Crendon observatory.
He described building his home observatory which was featured on the TV programme Sky at Night in 2001, and officially opened by Sir Patrick Moore who became a personal friend. Numerous British and American professional and amateur astronomers worked with him, shared the latest technology, and exchanged deep space information. Gordon was thrilled to be invited by American professionals to visit prestigious international observatories in the USA and around the world.
Gordon clearly enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of astronomy and gives time to schools and clubs alike. Some of the children’s paintings of space travellers, and outer space characters were a delight to see.
An informative and enjoyable talk from a man who has taken his hobby to professional standards and who enjoys sharing his passion for deep space to enthuse his audience.
The Work Of REMAP August 2024
Roy Brown and Keith May came to tell us about REMAP, a rather special charity, that designs and makes bespoke equipment for disabled folk. 900 volunteers in the U.K. provides this equipment free of charge from donations and foundations to young or old and dramatic photos showed examples of their more than 3,000 annual projects. They work closely with Occupationa Therapy groups and also the PACE centre for disabled children to help disabled people live more independent lives.
This was a humbling experience for the audience who were delighted that their donation went to a truly worthy cause for people less fortunate than ourselves.
200 Years Of The RNLI July 2024
Andy Stephenson had spent his youth and five years volunteering on the Cromer lifeboat and therefore extremely qualified to come and talk to us on Wednesday July 17th to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI and their wonderful work. He described their origin in a London Tavern in 1824 , a year when there were 1600 shipwrecks around our coast when sailors could not swim! The organisation was granted a Royal Charter in 1860 by George IV , hence RNLI.
Like Andy 97% of its 5,700 operational crews are volunteers launching 9000+ times each year saving, on average, 99 people each day! Of these 90% are from inland and unaware of the dangers of the sea unlike coastal folk.
A charity uniquely supported by legacies and donations collected by ex-mariners like Andy use their time educating both adults and children on safety behaviour at sea and in our rivers – this latter area particularly pertinent to us in Bourne End and Cookham. .
It was a delight for all to listen, pay homage and donate to this incredible organisation whose motto “ WITH COURAGE NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE “ says it all.
Ladies Summer Luncheon June 2024
Our traditional Ladies Summer Luncheon was held on Wednesday June 19th and attended by over 60 members and their wives who enjoyed a delicious 3-course lunch, excellently organised once again by David and Lesley Davis. The appetizing meal was followed by a short resume of the Probus year's events by current Chairman Mike Appleyard who raised a toast to our continuing good health and friendship followed by a generous raffle, providing all those present an excellent start to the summer season.
Wallis Simpson and her King May 2024
Richard Anderson, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire gave a surprise talk with the revelations and fantastic detail on Wallis Simpson and her King. Richard focused on Wallis Simpson with her bizarre early background life and her incredible influence and control over Edward Vlll. He unveiled many stories, fantasies and myths that have grown up with this drama of royal life. These unbelievable stories were supported by a never-ending slideshow of fascinating photographs, UK Govt and U.S.A. faxes, MI5/CRA communications and even actual copies of the £7 million of jewellery showered on this lady. He continued his revelations which included her affair with the Nazi Van Ribbentrop and the pair's WW2 disclosures to Hitler and post-war banishment. This was a memorable talk that had it all – history, drama, shocks, cover-ups.
Annual General Meeting February 2024
On Wednesday 21st February the Club hosted its annual general meeting (AGM). A large contingent of members came along to meet friends over lunch and elect a new Chairman and Committee and hear of the plans for 2024. The current Chairman, Doug Hill thanked the membership and committee for their past and continued support and passed the ceremonial chain of office to Mike Appleyard the newly elected Chairman.
Wildlife in Your Garden January 2024
How often do you get the opportunity to have an extremely busy “Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023” come and show you his collection of “WILDLIFE IN YOUR GARDEN” photos?
Well, after a 7 year pause since his last visit TOM WAY delighted his Probus audience before setting off for 6 months in Africa. Tom, an excellent raconteur, as well as photographer, took us on a journey of how he tries to use the key factors of light, colour, locality, seasons and, the occasional peanut to capture the personality of his animal subjects.
Members gazed upon wonderful photo after photo of water voles, hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, deer, hares, woodpeckers, kingfishers and many different species of owls, with Tom explaining the background of each shot. The session ended with a host of questions from members.
Go along to the National History Museum to see Tom's award winning photo of two fighting Komodo dragons.....
Ladies Christmas Lunch December 2023
Members of the club enjoyed a very delightful and colourful traditional Christmas lunch with their wives and partners. This was followed by an end of year speech from the Chairman, Douglas Hill. After the traditional toasts there was a generous raffle organized by David Davis. The meeting was enjoyed by all and the Chairman closed the meeting wishing everyone a great Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful new year.
Livery Companies - October 2023
Our speaker, Mike Beech, gave a talk about the Livery Companies of London. He described how, in the 12th Century in London, groups of traders formed associations which then became guilds and later Livery Companies where they became very powerful organizing trade and commerce. He took us through the historical events of these companies involving Samuel Pepys, Elizabeth 1st , the origin of the “Trademark” symbol and the setting up of the City & Guilds testing platform. Today there are more than 110 Livery Companies, some with their most ornate Meeting Halls. Mike described some of their bizarre races and events including the Swan Upping Ceremony that we see every year on our river. This very well researched presentation was thoroughly enjoyed by all members present.