The Probus Club of the Bookhams

The Club meets at the Bookham Grange Hotel on the third Tuesday of the month and consists of about 45 members who are retired or semi-retired professional businessmen. Each meeting starts with a good lunch, which is followed by a half-hour talk. Some of the talks are given by members but we often have a visiting speaker. Further details can be obtained from the Secretary on 454228.

In April Peter Firth entertained us with a talk entitled 'The Birds of Ashtead and Bookham Commons' His talk started in an unusual fashion when he quizzed the members on the collective noun for flocks of birds. The members showed up well but were stumped by a 'murmuration' of starlings describing the sound they make when they get together. The names of many birds came from their song for instance the cuckoo; he chiffchaff too is named after its song.  The talk was illustrated by beautiful pictures of the birds. These were taken with permission from www.garden-birds.co.uk. A website which not only illustrates the birds but give a short and very interesting description of their habits.

Peter Firth gave us a host of amazing details. Swifts do not come to ground except to nest, they sleep and feed on the wing. The arctic tern can travel 25,000 miles from pole to pole; how birds navigate is not known and swallows live to six to seven years and can double their body weight by taking on food.  The nightingale sings on Bookham Common through May and early June. Why not join a group to hear them next year!

Our May Meeting was the Annual General Meeting. After the usual substantial lunch members settled down to business.  The Chairman, Jim Collins reported that we had enjoyed 10 after dinner talks in the year,four from our own members and six outside speakers. We had lost a few members this year and we were encouraged to invite our friends to join.  The climax of the meeting was Jim Collins placing the Chairman's Collar on his successor, Mike Wanstall, amid sincere applause.

Our guest speaker at our June meeting was Les Lobjoit, Assistant District Commissioner of Scouts. Les told us that there were nearly half a million Scouts in the UK and numbers had increased by 4 per cent last year. The members still enjoy camping as they used to, but other more up to date activities have also been introduced. The uniform has been updated; the bush hats and short trousers have been replaced by berets and long trousers. These days the uniform has to be compatible with the activity so T Shirts with shorts are worn for active pursuits.  The Scout Movement is still alive and well and has been updated and moved with the times.

The Probus Club Members are looking forward to our August meeting which will be a Barbeque and we shall welcome our partners to join us.

Derek Berry