Notices

Cranleigh and District Probus ‘A’ Club

Unexplained Science, a somewhat humorous look at some current conundrums, will be the subject of the talk by Richard Chaundy following the Probus ‘A’ Club’s monthly lunch at 12.30pm on Tuesday, the 11th November, at Cranleigh Golf and Country Club. The Club welcomes as members retired and semi-retired professional and business people. The members’ varied careers make meetings convivial and interesting.  More information about the Club can be found at its website: www.cranleighprobuscluba.com. For information on joining the Club please contact the Membership Secretary, Ernest Lucas, via email: tablesecretary@cranleighprobuscluba.com.

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Number 183 - July 2025

Editor: Howard Paton Barnes - email: howardpatonbarnes@hotmail.com

Chairman’s Message

The last couple of months have seen not only some remarkably enjoyable weather but also two remarkably enjoyable Club events – the Spring Break in the Peak District, and the Ladies’ Summer Lunch.

The Spring Break was filled to the brim with visits to iconic places but the tour of the Tram Museum with the volunteer in his over-sized conductor’s uniform and cap will remain in my memory the longest. And I was very glad that coach driver John was not relying on a worldwide satnav – otherwise we might have ended up in Timbuktu rather than Tideswell on our way to Tissington!

This was the last of the many Spring Breaks that Brian Izzard has organised for Club members over past years, and he fully deserved everyone’s thanks for another really successful trip.

The Club’s Ladies’ Lunches pose a quite different challenge to our Table Secretary from our normal monthly lunches. Our Summer Lunch was Phil Batten’s first such event and he demonstrated that he was more than equal to the challenge. It was somewhat disappointing that there were only 60 attendees – including only 28 Club members – but those that were there enjoyed the drinks on the terrace, the meal in the marquee and the company!

Now that we are about half-way through the Club year, the Committee is not only planning for the next six months but is also looking ahead to next year.

We are still hoping that a Club member will come forward to offer to help Derek Bonham with the post-August Activities programme, and to take over as Activities Secretary next February. So, if you are willing to get involved or have any ideas on how the programme might be managed in future, please contact either Derek or myself as soon as possible.

And we also already know that other Committee positions are going to be vacated at the next AGM. Between now and then, I would ask all Club members to seriously “think not just what your Club can do for you, but what you can do for your Club”!

Anthony Brearley Chairman

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 2 of 12

REVISED SPEAKER PROGRAMME

Since the Programme detailed in the May 2025 Newsletter, there have been some minor changes and indeed some additions.

Here is the up to date situation.

29th July – Ian Worley – Racing through the Southern Ocean (slight change in title as originally agreed with Stuart). A former Chartered Accountant by profession who from age 7 loved sailing and volunteered to crew Great Britain II in a sailing race around the world via Cape Horn. This will be the story of that race.

26th August – Paul Whittle – New England in the Fall (was 28.10.25).

30th September – Rod Duncan – How to Make a Small Fortune.

28th October – Michael Miller – Our environment, an alternative view.

25th November – Susan Purcell – The A to Z of the English Dictionary.

17th December – Christmas Lunch – no speaker.

2026

27th January – Neil Sadler – Bisons & Custer.

24th February – AGM – no speaker.

31st March – Pete Allen – Entertaining Troops, stories from the Theatres of War.

28th April – Iain Kennedy – D Day Espionage, Subterfuge and Deception (talk that through mix up with Stuart should have been given on 27th May 2025).

26th May – Pat Pearce – Vehicles I have been involved with (this talk may be given earlier if any booked speaker drops out).

I am also in communication with other speakers for the remainder of 2026 and will advise further on this aspect.

Derek Bonham Speaker Secretary

Membership

At our last Committee meeting on May 27th the application for membership from John McClean was approved, bringing our membership to 57. Unfortunately, John has suffered a health setback, and is currently housebound awaiting the fitting of a pacemaker. His formal induction into the Club has therefore had to be postponed. We hope that he will be able to take up his membership in the near future.

Brian Izzard – Membership Secretary

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 3 of 12

SPRING BREAK 2025

Judging from the many expressions of appreciation that I have received following this year’s Spring Break to the Peak District in early June, it was clearly very successful. Our party of 30 was made up of Probus ‘B’ members and their partners plus the indefatigable Sheilah Daniell, and two guests. We stayed at a first-class hotel in Buxton, which was very comfortable, the food was excellent, and the staff friendly. For the second year in succession, we travelled in an excellent Amport & District coach, driven once again by John Osborn who also took us to North Wales last year. Finally, the weather was also kind to us, with only minimal rainfall during the days of our various excursions.

The program of visits, organised by Mitchellwood Travel, was varied and contrasting, ranging from stately homes, (Chatsworth and Haddon Hall), to the Derwent Valley industrial revolution World Heritage mills, to Jodrell Bank Observatory and the Heights of Abraham Chair Lift and park, and National Tram Museum. Finally on the way home to Cranleigh we visited the National Memorial Arboretum, where the photograph above was taken.

This was the final Spring Break that I have organised since I took over after the death of Bryan Andrews in January 2015, after previously assisting him since 2011. Bryan started the Spring Breaks in 1998, and the unbroken 27-year tradition, apart from Covid restrictions in 2020, has been an important point of difference between Cranleigh Probus ‘B’ and other local clubs.

During the last twenty-seven years we have visited, (pre-Covid), France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Holland, and Luxembourg, as well as Northumberland, North Wales and most recently the Peak District. The Spring Beaks have fulfilled a significant role in fostering and developing friendships between Probus ‘B’ members, and most importantly their wives and partners.

I would like to thank all that have taken part in the Spring Breaks over the years. Unfortunately, our numbers have thinned over the years as age and infirmity have taken their toll. We are no longer a group of friends in their mid-sixties who enjoy each other’s company in pleasant surroundings, most of us are now in our eighties. The worsening economic situation has also played a part.

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 4 of 12

Nevertheless, and most importantly, the Spring Breaks are continuing, and I hope to be able to participate in the future, subject to Daphne’s health improving sufficiently.

I wish the new organising team every success.

Brian Izzard

Social event with Petanque – Friday 4th July 2025

A total of 21 people gathered at CVSSC to enjoy an informal lunch followed by a few games of Petanque.

There were 7 Probus B members and 3 wives – none of whom were members of Cranleigh Petanque Club (CPC) – and 11 members of CPC.

The lunch was perhaps a little too informal but, thanks to an impromptu delivery service, everyone was served their meal even if it did take some time to arrive.

After Andrew Kolmar - the Chairman of CPC – had given a short explanation on the terrain as to how the game is played, 10 teams were formed – with each team consisting of one attendee from Probus and one from CPC - and five doubles matches were played over the next half-hour. The same 10 teams then played a second match against a different opposing team over a second half-hour.

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 5 of 12

It was a warm afternoon and the thought of a third match was a little too much for one or two of the players. So the planned third match was cancelled, and the prizes were awarded to Michael Miller and Karen Shelton.

The Probus members contributed to a donation totalling £50 to CPC.

A good number stayed on for a drink on the terrace afterwards, and it was generally agreed that the Club would benefit from more such informal social events.

Anthony Brearley

CRANLEIGH PROBUS GOLF SOCIETY

The golfing season is now half complete and we have been blessed with good weather (too hot at times) and strong support from both A and B clubs.

In April we visited Hurtmore Golf Club where Paul Whiteman (A) prevailed with an outstanding 42 points, with Mike Miller and Ronnie Ingram taking 2nd and 3rd places

Our next outing was to Clandon Regis, one of our more prestigious venues, where Ronnie’s class secured an excellent victory with 43 points. Mike Pendered and Mike Miller both recorded 37 with the former taking 2nd place on countback – a ‘clean sweep’ for Probus B!

At the end of June, Rookwood Golf Club hosted us and this time Ian Thornley took the honours with 43 points. Mike Miller (again) and Nick North shared 2nd and 3rd both with 39 – another ‘clean sweep’.

Now for the bad news – on the 10th July we played our annual match against Guildford Probus and lost 3 – 2 at Milford Golf Club thus obliging Ronnie to hand over the Challenge Trophy to their captain, Mike Collins (see photo). This is the first time Guildford have won since 2014 although there was cause for a steward’s inquiry into the eligibility of several of their players.

However, the reputation of Probus B was restored a week later when our team, comprising Ronnie Ingram, Roger Avis, Richard Kenyon, Mike Pendered and Ian Thornley, gained a narrow victory over Probus A to retain the coveted Clifford H Davis Cup at Cranleigh Golf Club. A special mention of the best score of the day recorded by Roger (41).

On the 31st July 2 teams from the Society will defend the Surrey Probus Clubs Invitation trophy. Last year our 2 teams won 1st and 2nd and Ronnie and Nick North were 1st and 2nd in the singles event. We have 2 strong teams again this year and wish them every success.

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 6 of 12

The remaining events for the year are:-

August 28th Slinfold

September 25th Horsham

October 17th A G M - Cranleigh

All members of either Cranleigh Probus Clubs are welcome to join us for the opportunity to socialise with members of either Club and enjoy our social golf days.

Richard Kenyon Secretary CPGS

richardkenyon69@gmail.com Mobile: 07894 962696

Spring Break, 14-19 May 2026 – Norfolk, including Sandringham Estate

We reported in the May Newsletter that the Club’s 2026 Spring Break was going to go ahead with Woods Travel and, by the end of June, the basic price had been finalised at only £829 per person. Thirty-three people then made firm bookings and paid their deposits.

Woods has recently confirmed that there are still some hotel rooms for couples available for our group, and so if anyone is interested in joining us on the trip – or would like to know more about it – would they please contact Anthony Brearley.

In a recent email exchange with us, Steve Mitchell – the holiday agent who has helped us arrange our Spring Breaks in recent years but is not involved with our 2026 one – kindly mentioned how highly he rates the Knights Hill Hotel where we will be staying next May.

Taking this rating of the hotel into account, together with the included programme of visits to the Sandringham Estate and two other Stately Homes, as well as two rides on steam trains and a paddle-steamer cruise on the Norfolk Broads, we consider the trip to be ‘good value for money’ at just £829 per person.

We recently began marketing the trip to the two other local Probus Clubs, and one couple from Probus A has already made a booking.

All enquiries about the trip should be directed to Anthony Brearley, either on 01483 277492 or at anthonylbrearley@gmail.com.

SB2026 Working Group

(Anthony Brearley, Ronnie Ingram, Stuart Aarons, Graham Pursey, Paul Jenkins)

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 7 of 12

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Having given a year’s notice that I would be retiring from my Social Activities role (held for 23 years) and that I would not be arranging any new trips beyond 1st August 2025, I rather hoped that someone would come forward to take on this enjoyable task but sadly there have been no volunteers among the 350 or so that receive my Updates!

Whereas technically I remain Social Activities organiser until Probus B’s next AGM in February 2026, only those activities already arranged and detailed below will take place subject to enough support. Of course, this does not mean that it is too late to award a new person the role and with my guidance (if required) for them to promote trips for the remainder of this year and in further years to come.

But from me, this will be my last Social Activities Update, so thank you to all that have supported the annual programme and I will miss seeing you all.

So in the words of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore:-

“Now is the time to say goodbye, goodbye

Now is the time to yield a sigh

Now is the time to wend away

Until we meet again some sunny day.

Goodbyee, goodbyee, I wish you all goodbye.”

AND NOW ON TO THE REMAINING PROGRAMME

Thursday 31st July 2025 – The Great Gatsby musical at the London Coliseum Theatre.

The special deal for Probus has been agreed with the Theatre and 15 will be taking part with the discounted seat price unchanged.

We will be travelling to London by train from various railway stations. Joining Instructions have been issued.

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 8 of 12

Friday 22nd August 2025 (trip 2025/4) – Top Hat at Chichester Theatre – Matinee performance at 2.30pm

As previously indicated this trip is now full with a waiting list.

We have 50 participants, 26 of whom are booked into The Bell Inn for lunch at 12 noon.

Joining Instructions will be issued at the end of July.

Thursday 18th September 2025 - (trip 2025/5) – Visit to Romsey, Hampshire.

I reiterate below the information detailed in the May Update and will advise further regarding final cost dependent upon numbers participating and whether we can include a visit to the King John’s House Heritage Centre following the severe fire that happened earlier this year.

Closing date for participation is 7th August after which final details will be issued.

It is noted that we have received two bank transfers each for £47 and these have been held appropriately.

Please would other interested parties confirm to me their interest NOW but withhold payment until the final position is known post 7th August.

Currently I have 21 persons noted as interested and we need 30!

The previous wording is repeated as follows:-

We will be guided throughout the day by two Blue Badge guides that we know, Sue de Salis (Salisbury) and Mike Craze (Winchester) who were excellent throughout these earlier trips.

The plan for the day is as follows:-

8.45am – leave Cranleigh in our Gastonia coach.

10.30am – arrive at Romsey Bus Station to be met by our guides with time for morning refreshments and toilets.

11am – we will divide into two equal groups. Group A will have a 90 minute Town Tour lasting until 12.30pm then with time for lunch (at own cost) followed by an Abbey tour from 2pm. Group B will do the programme in reverse.

We will be guided by Sue and Mike throughout the day.

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 9 of 12

4pm – leave Romsey for home.

Cost £47 p.p. (see N.B. below)

Last date for bookings 7th August 2025. Arrangement Probus B.

This trip cannot run unless we have 30 participants.

N.B. This price may change slightly as by the time we visit Romsey, the King John’s House and Heritage Centre which recently suffered a severe fire, may again be opened for visitors. If this is possible, I may very well collect +/- £5 p.p. in cash on the day for the entry fee and a visit to this establishment will then be included. This can only be decided upon later. Please however do not delay booking meantime.

A brief background to Romsey

7 miles Northwest of Southampton.

11 miles Southwest of Winchester.

17 miles Southeast of Salisbury and lies on the River Test. The old rural market town includes many historical buildings, a 13th century hunting lodge, 18th century coaching inn and 19th century corn exchange along with the 1865 signal box (not open that often).

The Abbey is 12th century Norman style and includes the Romsey Reredos (ornamental screen), the 11th century Anglo Saxon Rood, Tomb of Lord Mountbatten, the 1858 Walker Organ and splendid Romanesque Norman architecture. It is described as the largest parish church in Hampshire! So lots to experience during the day.

There is a charge for guided tours within the Abbey which we will not have to pay as such as we have our own guides but a donation will be expected which I have built into the cost indicated.

AND FINALLY

The trip to the Seaside (East Beach Café in Littlehampton) on 18th June went well, a good day for the weather and excellent food /service provided for the 16 of us that drove there.

Derek Bonham

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 10 of 12

Contact details - Activities

Derek Bonham – Sentosa, Grove Close, Cranleigh, GU6 7LR. 01483 548058.

Email: dcbonham149@outlook.com

Richard Gates – Badgers Rest, Links Road, Bramley, GU5 0AL. Tel 01483 893861

Email: rgates1@sky.com

(for Bramley liaison purposes)

Other Contacts- General committee

CHAIRMAN Anthony Brearley - Oaken Shaw, New Park Road, GU6 7HJ 01483 277492.- Email : anthonylbrearley@gmail.com

Almoner & Shop Mike Roberts - Springfields, Brookhurst Road, GU6 7DW 01483 277749

Email : pewley77@gmail.com

Membership Secretary Brian Izzard - Rowgardens, Grove Close, GU6 7LR .01483 274003

Email : izzardbrian@gmail.com

Secretary Paul Jenkins,103 Cranleigh Mead, Cranleigh GU6 7JX.01483 548824

Email : paul.jenkins0211@btinternet.com

Speaker Secretary Derek Bonham – Sentosa, Grove Close, Cranleigh, GU6 7LR. 01483 548058.

Email: dcbonham149@outlook.com

Table Secretary, Phil Batten - 14 Homewood, Cranleigh, GU6 7HS. 01483 271158

Email : probusbcatering@gmail.com

Editor Howard Paton Barnes 15 Nursery Green, Loxwood, RH14 0EQ 07976 328717

Email howardpatonbarnes@hotmail.com

Treasurer Richard Green - Smithwood Farmhouse, Cranleigh, GU6 8QY, 01483 273632

Email: rpg@rpgreen.co.uk

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 11 of 12

+ 0

CRANLEIGH & DISTRICT PROBUS 'B' CLUB NEWSLETTER

Page 12 of 12