Press reports on Monthly Meetings - 2012
12th january Meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
President Ken Guyton welcomed members and 3 visitors to the meeting on 12th January at the Kingscliff Hotel, and thanked David Button for organising an enjoyable Christmas lunch on December14th at the Old Court House Inn.
The speaker for the day was Les Nicoll from Essex Fire Service. He gave a most entertaining and informative talk about his 40 years in the Fire service, during which time he had seen many changes, including recruitment of female fire fighters.He explained that nowadays, since most home furnishings are plastic based, the danger is from smoke inhalation rather than from burns from fire.He gave helpful advice on how to avoid the danger of fire in the home and how to prevent loss of life by having emergency plans for house evacuation.
The next monthly meeting will be on Thursday 9th February at the Kingscliff Hotel when the speaker will be Jean Allen talking about her Aid work in Iraq.
Plans were discussed fro an outing to Ickworth on 22 May and for a holiday in Nottinghamshire in June.
New members are welcome. Contact Brian Cottis on 01255 673496
9th February Meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
At the meeting on 9th February the speaker was Jean Allen who spoke about her work in Iraq on behalf of" World Vision". She worked as a coordinator of local teams in post-conflict areas, renovating schools and providing running water for schools and orphanages. She also arranged for equipment to be provided for handicapped children, many of them victims of war injuries. She had some lovely pictures of the children but was unable to take pictures of the area because of security risks. The mission had to be withdrawn when the situation in the Mosel area became dangerous..
Jean found her aid work interesting and worthwhile but has now retired from international work and runs "Home Instead", an organisation to help people to be independant in their own homes
The next monthly meeting will be on 8th March, at the Kingscliff Hotel when the speaker will be the President Ken Guyton.
7th March Meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
The President, Ken Guyton, welcomed members to the meeting on 7th March. After the business meeting and coffee, Ken gave an absorbing and comprehensive talk on the history of mills and milling, from Roman times, via postmills,windmills,tidemills, and steam-powered mills to present day wind-turbines.
Ken's father had maintained windmills in Norfolk when milling was an important industry. Many farmers in Norfolk, like the Archer family in Walton,ground corn and transported it in coasters to N.E. England, returning with cargoes of coal.
He explained that the Lords of the Manor held Soke rights meaning that corn grown on their land had to be ground in local mills. The names Kirby-le-Soken and Thorpe-le Soken are derived from those times and customs.
The next meeting will be on Thusday April12th at 10.30.a.m. at the Kingscliff hotel, when the speaker will be Jerry Russell talking about a tour of the Walton backwaters.
There are still some places available on the coach outing to Ickworth house on 22 May.
For information contact Brian Cottis on 01255 673946 or visit www.essexinfo.net/probus-club-of-tendring-hundred.
12th April meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
Ken Guyton welcomed members and guests to the meeting on 12th April at the Kingscliff hotel.Details of future outings and events were discussed.
The speaker was Jerry Russell who took members on a Tour of the Walton backwaters by way of slides and maps He had a wealth of local knowledge and detailed the history of the area with stories of many of the old characters who lived and worked there He also traced the development of the Yacht club, and talked about the rise and decline of the Thames barges.
The next meeting will be on 10th May when Jill Pert will give a talk entitled "In and out of the Carte"
For information call Brian Cottis 01255 673946 or visit www.essexinfo.net/probus-club-of-tendring-hundred.
10th May meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB.
At the meeting on 10 May members and guests were treated to an excellent talk by local resident and Opera singer Jill Pert.Jill spent most of her career as principal contralto with the D'Oyley Carte Opera company and later appeared in musicals such as Oklahoma, Sound of Music and Carousel.
After relating the history of D'Oyley Carte and its association with the Savoy hotel and theatre, she gave many amusing anecdotes about life with a touring company and experiences with eccentric theatrical landladies.
She is soon to be seen in a film directed by Dustan Hoffman called Quartet.
Jill ended her presentation by singing " Blow the wind southerly" in honour of the famous contralto Kathleen Ferrier who was born 100 years ago.
The next meeting will be will be on June14 when the Rev.John Robinson will give a talk entitled Memories of Essex music from 1855.
For information contact Brian Cottis on 01255 673946 or visit www.essexinfo.net/probus-club-of-tendring-hundred
14th June meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
At the June meeting President Ken Guyton welcomed members and guests to a most entertaining talk by Rev. John Robinson, who traced the history of Essex from 1855 with musical illustrations.He referred to the earthquake in 1884 in the Wivenhoe area,the introduction of elecricity to 100 homes in Colchester,at the turn of the century, and Charlie Chaplin's first visit to the seaside, at Southend, as a poor East End child. He encouraged audience participation by awarding points for local and musical knowledge.Everyone enjoyed the old "pop" tunes played on his accordion, and his anecdotes of old Essex characters.
The social secretary reported that the outing to Ickworth House had been very successful and that members were looking froward to a holiday next week at Thoresby Hall.
A trip to Woodbridge, followed by afternoon tea at Seckford Hall, is planned for 13 August.
The next monthly meeting will be on July 12th at the Kingscliff Hotel when John Allsop will talk about The good, the bad and the ugly.
For more information call Brian Cottis on 01255 673946 or visit www.essexinfo.net/probus-club-of-tendring-hundred
12th July meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
"The good, the bad and the ugly" was the title of the talk given by John Allsop at the July meeting. This was a detailed discussion about garden pests and insects, good and bad.
John trained in horticulture at Capel Manor, Herts. but then went into the Police force and worked with under-privileged youngsters. He now grows fuschias and has developed 40 varieties which have been sent all over the world .He shared his extensive knowledge of gardening and problems with garden pests with members and invited them to visit his garden in St. Osyth which he and his wife open to the public to raise funds for charities.
There is no meeting in August but the President,Ken Guyton, has invited members and partners to an informal lunch at his home.
The outing to Woodbridge and Seckford Hall on 13 August is now fully booked.
The next monthly meeting will be on 13 Sept when Dr. Jane Peason will speak about Crime and Punishment in Essex.
Anyone interested in the club should contact Brian Cottis on 01255 673946 or visit www.essexinfo.net/probus-club-of-tendring-hundred.
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
There was no meeting in August, but the President and his wife hosted a delighful garden party at their home and members had a most enjoyable outing,on 13 August, to Woodbridge followed by tea at Seckford Hall.
13th September Meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
The speaker at the September meeting was Dr. Jane Pearson, who teaches local history at Essex University. She explained about crime and punishment in Essex in the 18th century, when there was no Police force as now and when a constable (probably the local blacksmith) was responsible for maintaining law and order.At that time there were 250 crimes punishable by hanging or deportation. She explained how, gradually, law enforcement changed when the police system developed and when punishment became more uniform.
The meeting on11th October will be the A.G.M. which wiil start at 11 a.m.,followed by lunch for members, partners and associates.
For more information contact Brian Cottis on 01255 673946 or visit www.essexinfo.net/probus-club-of-tendring-hundred
11th October AGM meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
The Club held their Annual General meeting on 11 October. President Ken Guyton thanked members for their friendship and support over the past year. He reported that the club was financially strong and that membership levels had been maintained, thanks to the hard work of the committee and especially of secretary, Brian Cottis. Everyone had enjoyed the programme of speakers and outings.
The President for next year will be Mike Thomas and the Vice president will be David Button.
After the meeting members, partners and associates enjoyed a formal lunch.
The next monthly meeting is on 8 November at 10.30 a.m. at the Kingcliff Hotel when Douglas Carswell M.P. will speak about " A week in politics".
The Christmas lunch will be held at Clacton Golf club on 13 December.
For more information contact Brian Cottis on 01255 673946 or visit www.essexinfo.net/probus-club-of-tendring-hundred
8th November Meeting
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
President Mike Thomas welcomed Douglas Carswell M.P. as the guest speaker at the meeting on 8 November.
Mr. Carswell oulined his week in politics when most mornings were spent dealing with constituency queries and problems and referring them to the correct person in authority for help.Afternoons and, often, late evenings he is in parliament.
He explained that, as a back-bencher, he felt he should represent the views of his constituents, and be a voice for common sense which is why he did not always follow the Party line.
He then answered a wide range of questions from club members including ones about the Police Commisioner election.and budgets for Europe and Overseas aid.
On 13 December members, partners and associates will meet for Christmas lunch at Clacton Golf Club.
13th December
TENDRING DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
Members, guests and associates enjoyed an excellent Christmas Lunch on 13 December at Clacton Golf Club Thanks were given to David Button for organing a pleasant social occasion.
The January monthly meeting will be held at the Methodist Hall, Kings Avenue, Hollland -on- sea on 10 January. at 10.30.a.m. Three members will give talks about their life and work
Lunch will be available afterwards at the Roaring Donkey..
For information Contact Brian Cottis on 01255 673946
