Busy Start for Probus Club
The last few weeks have been busy for the Probus Club of Basingstoke, the social club for retired professional and business men of the district.
Their 35th year started when their AGM saw a new committee elected including their President, Paul Flint, who sold his business in Basingstoke six years ago and joined Probus two years later. He has spent the last three years as their Programme Secretary being responsible for finding speakers for their monthly evening meeting and becoming their publicity officer by writing reports for this magazine and creating the club’s web site with another member, retired GP Dr Raja Cavale.
Paul moved to Hatch Warren with his late wife in 1999 and has three married children, a daughter in Hatch Warren, another daughter in Chineham and a son in Swallowfield. Four grandchildren complete his family. Some of the members he knew when he had his business but new members are made very welcome as there is a great atmosphere and camaraderie. The club has had a membership of around fifty for many years but new members are needed to keep the club progressing.
The club’s first lunch of the season saw the Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane, Cllr Dan Putty, as the guest of honour and was presented with a cheque for his charity appeal.
The speaker at their first evening meeting was a retired Yeoman Warder from the Tower of London. Tony Strafford was resplendent in the “undress uniform” of dark blue tunic with red braid complete with hat, just as usually seen at the famous castle by the Thames. An accomplished raconteur he talked about times past when bishops held great sway and kings having many illegitimate children. Strange as it may seem but there were more executions at the Tower in the 20th century than in the previous seven hundred years. However there were many public executions, with hanging for many but beheading for famous people with the payment of a bag of gold coins to the axe man to ensure a clean chop. Stands were built to accommodate the large crowds seen at these occasions.
The number of ravens at the Tower had to be reduced so six were kept but their wings clipped to ensure that the old prophecy would not come true about the demise of the English crown should the ravens leave the Tower. Many phrases in today’s parlance can be traced to past times and to hear how they came about was an education in English history and language.
www.probusbasingstoke.webs.com
Gerry Anslow on 01256 325253
