PROBUS CLUB OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES

Luncheon Report – Tuesday 13^th July 2010.

Since its inception the Club has used the Antoinette Hotel in Beaufort Road as the venue for its monthly luncheons and other meetings. It is not surprising that members all know by now the geography of its facilities. – particularly the bar. It was with some surprise therefore that on the occasion of our Committee meeting on 13^th July (just before our July Luncheon) we were asked to meet in the Gallery. If there was need to discuss matters of delicate secrecy that is a good place to meet - up a narrow staircase which winds itself round in to a small room under the roof.

Well, the accommodation served us well as we mulled over the way that certain important decisions had been taken regarding the way the Club should continue to run. All members of the Club had been party to the questions and answers but those who had unavoidably been absent during the exchanges can always seek confirmation by contacting our Secretary or any other member of the Committee to fill in the details..

Not only The Gallery but Members were asked to acclimatise themselves to The Royal Kingston Suite for Lunch. Not that this dampened the banter that took place during the course of the meal. It was coincidental that one of our newest members, John Bray, so early in his membership, had to admit to a July birthday.

One important decision had been taken during the course of lunch and that was for the President, Chris Shires, to announce that Michael Dale had accepted nomination to serve as Vice President for 2010/11. The Committee (up in the gallery) had proposed the appointment an action which had the fullest support from the membership as a whole. Michael confirmed that he would continue publishing the Newsletter, an offer that members appreciated in the extreme. In fact the latest edition of the Newsletter was being distributed this very day and a quick look through its contents reveals a balanced coverage of reports from us as individuals, reports of visits, speakers and business such as Club AGM’s all of which fits to four whole pages. It does cover what I believe is a very active Club.

Our July speaker was drawn from the ranks of our local historians and in particular the Local History Room, Jill Lamb. The subject matter was based on a History of Menageries. I must say I was stumped before I set pen to paper as Menageries is not a word I have come across very frequently but my spelling was saved by reference to the Newsletter and where Michael had got it right. Menageries as such covered a whole range of structures from those who can be seen at the London Zoo to veritable “mansions” sited on superb sites. One could even regard St James’s Park as a menagerie. Browsing on a seat near to the ponds one can be awakened by a rustle of feathers and a long yellow bill intruding into your space as a pair of Pelicans scout around for tit bits. Apparently a gift from a Russian Ambassador.

Home

Last Amended: Monday 9^th August 2010