A BRIEF HISTORY OF PROBUS SINCE ITS INCEPTION.
The initiative for the formation of the first “Probus” Club originated in the London Area where there were many retired men with professional, business and similar backgrounds who had commuted long distances during their working life. There were also other men in the area with similar backgrounds, again commuters and previously unable to readily participate in the life of their home town. This gave a member of the Rotary Club of Welwyn Garden City the idea of forming a luncheon club and with its support the first club named “The Campus” was born; membership was open to non-Rotarians The support then spread rapidly through District and then National level when Rotary International Britain published a leaflet encouraging other Rotary Clubs to sponsor a similar club. The Vocational Service Committee of the Caterham Rotary Club decided to give support by organising a monthly luncheon meeting in their own club and called a meeting inviting local men to apply for membership; this was a great success and on 2nd March1966 the inaugural luncheon of the first Probus Club anywhere in the world took place and in May of that year a Committee, initially chaired by a Rotarian, and a set of rules for running the club, were established. The name Probus is derived from the first three letters of PROfessional and BUSiness.
The success of the Probus Club of Caterham very soon became known among neighbouring Rotary Clubs and new clubs sprang up rapidly. Today there are over1700 Great Britain and Ireland also others in 15 or more countries overseas.
ABOUT THE FORMATION OF THE SUTTON COLDFIELD VESEY PROBUS CLUB
Sutton Coldfield Vesey Probus Club was formed in 1983 and was sponsored by the Sutton Vesey Rotary Club.
Minutes of a meeting of the Sutton Coldfield Vesey Rotary Club held at Sutton Coldfield Conservative Club 26th October 1983
Mr K Holme-Barnett, President of Sutton Coldfield Vesey Rotary Club, introduced the chairman of the meeting, Mr Barry Stokes, the immediate Past President of Sutton Coldfield Vesey Rotary Club. Mr Stokes announced that the object of the meeting was to consider the formation of a second Probus Club in Sutton Coldfield to absorb some of the waiting lists of both Erdington and Sutton Coldfield Probus Clubs
Mr G S Farnworth, President of Erdington Probus club described the way in which Erdington Probus Club functioned and Mr Lake, Chairman of Sutton Coldfield Probus Club did likewise regarding his club.
A general discussion took place and the chairman asked for a show of hands on the matter that a club be formed. The result was unanimous in favour
It was announced that the name of the club would be Sutton Coldfield Vesey Probus Club.
It was also announced that the Sutton Coldfield Conservative Club had very generously agreed to forego any rent for the first meetings until the Club was established.
Mr Farnworth was elected Club Chairman for the first year and the other officers elected were:-
Secretary – Mr Owen Edwards, Treasurer – Mr Gordon Bailey, Registrar – Mr Geoff Stobart, Social Secretary – Mr Dennis Henri.
It was suggested that the subscription would be £2 per annum
Meetings would be held on the second Wednesday of each month, the first meeting being on the 9th November 1983 at 12.30 pm.
