Anniversary Friends made and links renewed in club celebration
AN association for retired and semi-retired professional and business men based in Gloucestershire has officially celebrated its 40th anniversary with a pub gathering.
Woodmancote Probus Club – a nonpolitical, non-sectarian all male club – was founded in 1984 and in their words “endeavour to provide opportunities for meeting old friends and making new friends”.
Probus Clubs themselves are a worldwide network “to provide regular gatherings to those retired or semiretired business or professional people who, in retirement, appreciate and value opportunities to meet others in similar circumstances and with like interests”.
Meeting at The Apple Tree pub in Woodmancote near Bishop’s Cleeve, the day involved lots of retired men with their wives or partners enjoying some food, drink and a good catchup.
Simon Foskett, 67, has been chairman since July 2023.
He said: “I think in this day and age it’s great to have this organisation going for many years. We still keep going every week to meet up which is an achievement in itself.
“Usually most people are in their 60s but our eldest member is 93.
“I used to work in retail and also as a care worker.
“We have a number of people from GCHQ in this area and others who had their own businesses.”
Simon added: “The social side gets us out of the house on a regular basis.
“Meeting people is just good to get out and it makes us all think more about friendship.
“I hope we keep on this the way we are.”
As Simon explained, the name ‘probus’ is an amalgam of the abbreviation of the words professional and business. Probus is also a Latin word meaning honest or virtuous, from which the English word ‘probity’ is derived.
David Lewis has been Secretary of Woodmancote Probus since 2016.
Having used to run Cleeve Residential Lettings, David said: “It’s a milestone for us and this is great to celebrate.
“When we think back to 2020 we all stopped gathering so this is definitely worthwhile and it shows enthusiasm for the club.”
84-year-old Neville Jackson is another member of Woodmancote Probus who has been a part of the association for about seven and a half years.
Having a previous job in local government, Neville said: “I find this very good and good camaraderie.
“I’m lucky enough to still be able to walk around Woodmancote which is good exercise.
“I was around here one day on a walk when I saw lots of gents walk past and thought ‘what are they all doing?.’ I found out it was Probus so I’m glad I’ve got involved.”