As the club heads towards its Golden Jubilee, chairman Dick Birks reflects on another successful year and ponders what sets Stumperlowe Probus apart from others.
“After being a member for only three or four years, I continually ask myself why the club is so successful compared with other Probus clubs,” he said as he wished all our members a Happy New Year.
“Much is due to our re-founding fathers – David, Jacko and many others – while much is also due to our speaker finders and much to do with the membership itself. There cannot be many areas in the UK where the concentration of retired business and professional people is so high! We regularly have 40 or so attendees, out of a 60-plus membership with a few more on the waiting list, and members can look forward to another year of great talks and visits around the area.”
Dick highlighted a couple of changes in the club committee. “We are sorry to see a stalwart of the club, Graham Snowdon, retire as secretary after nine years of excellent service, though he does not leave the club! Colin Peskett has stepped into the breach and, subject to AGM approval in the spring, will continue as secretary.
“Our next chairman, again subject to confirmation, will be Andrew Shorthouse. I am sure he will be as meticulous as chairman as he was as a surgeon. We wish him well.”
Andrew, a former secretary of the European Society of Coloproctology, will lead the club for two years if his appointment is ratified at the AGM. “First of all,” said Andrew, a big ‘thank you’ to Dick Birks for his guidance, wisdom and humour during his chairmanship – it will be a challenge for me to follow in his footsteps.”
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