At the A.G.M. in December 1992 it was agreed to carry on meeting as usual although Hugh (new Chairman) pointed out that the bulk of Probus meetings elsewhere were held in the mornings (some 180 meetings at that time). Members were happy with the Club as it was. It was in 1994 during Ken Gibbard’s year of office that the practice was introduced of holding an annual Member’s Lunch. This was held at the Technical College in February of that year and continued until 2018 when communication with the college became difficult. The Club celebrated its 25 Anniversary in 1995 during Geoff Holmes year in the Chair. This was held at Tadmarton Golf Club and members enjoyed Dinner with their wives. Ted Clark was the Speaker and spoke on the History of the Club. This event was organised by Ron Hobbs and Alec Lovell the Treasurer.
At this time the Club received a bonus of £500 plus interest from the Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society. This was given because this building society had now become a bank. Apparently when the Club was formed in 1970 the Treasurer opened an account with the building society but it was in his own name. The account remained in the personal name of the Treasurer up to and including Alec Lovell – who was Treasurer for five years. This had an advantage because had the account not been personal the bonus might not have been paid. At the following A.G.M. because the Club was so financially sound it was agreed to leave the subscription at £7.00 p.a. and to donate £150.00 to Katharine House Hospice and £150.00 to the Cheshire Home Day Centre.
However, the incoming Treasurer (Ken Saxton) recommended that the account be opened in the name of the Club — the account would then be exempt from Income Tax. A new account was opened at the Halifax inthe name of “The Probus Compton Club of Banbury”. In 1996 when Geoff Wood was in the Chair, a Lunch with the Ladies was introduced. This was held at the New Inn, Wroxton. It was agreed to make the lunch a regular event — possibly with a different venue.
For several years the lunch was held at The Butcher’s Arms, Priors Hardwick. During his year, Geoff Wood organised a trip to the Birminham Symphony Hall by coach to see Simon Rattle conduct Brahms. At the A.G.M. in December 1997, it was agreed that the Club should be limited to 40, any other applications to be put on a waiting list. It was also suggested that the Committee consider non-attendance at Meetings (apart from prolonged illness) be a cause for asking those members if they wish to continue at the Club. The possibility of a second Clubbeing formed in the future if the demand merited it was also considered.
On 8 June 2000, Alec Lovell organised lunch at the Butcher’s Arms,Priors Hardwick to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the Compton Club. Reference was made to the valuable work that John Smith had given in the early days of the Club’s formation and to TedClark the oldest and longest serving member.