Hereward Probus Club

The name Probus is an acronym for Pro(fessional) and Bus(iness) and the first clubs were formed in Canada in the early 1920s but by 1966 the name was fused into a different type of club in England as a non-sectarian organisation specifically for those professional and business men who were retired but still active and allowing them to continue to meet together for fellowship.

Probus expanded into New Zealand and by 1976 the idea had spread to Australia and later North America and today, there are clubs in all parts of the world, including Africa and Asia.

The Hereward Probus Club was formed at Bourne on 28th March 1988 and now has more than 60 members, meeting over lunch on the second Monday of each month at the Wishing Well at Dyke. There is usually a guest speaker with an annual spring lunch and an autumn lunch for the ladies as well as day trips and holidays. The club also offers practical and emotional support for the widows of former members and in 2011, they were maintaining contact with 24 women in this way.

Peter Page, the club secretary, explained that the objectives of Probus were to enable like-minded people with common interests meet in a relaxed and informal atmosphere without being bound by too many rules and the formula appeared to work well. "It is the ideal organisation to while away a few hours in good company and with good food, to chat and to learn new things into the bargain", he said.

WRITTEN APRIL 2011