ACCRINGTON DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB
meeting before our show at Barton Grange in August so set-up times and procedures will be discussed.
HYNDBURN RAMBLERS
THE Coach Ramble to Denbigh will be on Sunday, August 4 and is a choice of various walks. Booking is essential. Starting at 9am on Sunday, August 11, is a walk to Settle which is Grade B and 12 miles.
A walk to Longridge will take place on Sunday, August 18, starting at 9.30am, this is grade B and eight miles.
On August 25, starting at noon, is a walk to Three Bridges, this is grade D and seven miles.
All the walks except the coach rambles start at Plantation Street car park in Accrington at the times stated above.
Wednesday walks take place throughout the year, leaving Plantation Street car park at 9.30am.
A choice of two walks, grade A or B and the destination decided the week before.
Wednesday walk enquiries to Brian Wohlters on 01254 871 851, all other enquires to Nigel Brooke on 01254 887 750. THE summer lunch at Worston was enjoyed by everyone and benefited from lovely weather.
The sweets table was, as ever, well worth leaving some space for.
Harold was today’s recipient of our enthusiastic rendering in celebration of his 99th birthday, smiling through the ordeal.
Pat Osborne is a regular speaker and has never failed to entertain as well as inform.
Her subject today was the life of Rasputin, the mad monk.
It soon became clear that Grigori was not mad, was never a monk and his name was not even Rasputin, that was really an unofficial ‘title’.
The portrait we were given was of an intelligent and focussed man, with tremendous appetites and surrounded by people with a vested interest in sustaining the myth.
Since Russian aristocracy seems to have been living in a dream world, the larger than life, mystic figure of Rasputin fitted in very nicely.
His treatment of the Tsarevich’s haemophilia seems to have been offering the lad comfort, while his body repaired itself.
There is no evidence that he had any medical training and anyway, few if any doctors understood the condition.
There is little doubt that Rasputin exerted real influence over people who were only too happy to accept advice from this miracle worker.
There is also little doubt that jealousy at court was a major factor in the plots to kill him and that he was probably aware they were out to get him.
It is likely that the devil saint’s reputation for being almost un-killable was deliberately exaggerated.
It is unlikely that a truly definitive story will ever emerge while the existing tale remains so fascinating.
Chris offered the vote of thanks, observing that Grigori was not really much of a role model but the ladies did seem attracted to the type.
Kathleen closed with an observation on the limits of modern technology, when it relied on someone actually doing something at the end.
There are still vacancies for new members.
If you think you might like to share the experience, come along to the Accrington Town Hall, Supper Room on a first or third Monday.
The next meeting is July 15, from 10am.
If you are retired or retiring soon, try a free one, with coffee or tea, a biscuit and a chance to enjoy good company.