MARCH 2021

Our usual excellent two course at Worthing Indoor Bowls Club was cancelled owing to the pandemic, so no lunch and a written AGM

A good response to the written AGM with the majority of the members voting. The new President and Committee were elected and a Zoom committee meeting was held shortly after the closure of the written AGM.

We look forward to seeing our members and having a lively AGM - but probably not until 2022!

21 July 2021

Back to lunch! 24 members turned up for our first lunch since February 2020. Lady members joined us for the first time since the formation of the club almost 40 years ago.

The Bowls Club did us proud with an excellent two course meal, followed by coffee and mints.

Members were able to enjoy
fellowship, catch up with the news and have a very relaxed and enjoyable few hours together. They were updated about the proposed trip to Chichester Harbour on 10th September and were pleased to learn that it was fully subscribed with 40 people scheduled to enjoy the outing.

APRIL 2021

WELCOME TO THE LADIES
The new committee was unanimous in its decision to recommend to the members that the club should open its doors to the ladies as permitted at the rules change in 2015. Voting slips were sent out to all members with 89% voting; with only one objection, the others were enthusiastic. Within a few days, requests for an application form were received from several ladies.

10 Sept 2021

The Club hosted 40 members and guests for a day out on a Chichester Harbour Discovery Cruise aboard the solar powered catamaran, Solar Heritage. It is silent, (no engine noise) and no exhaust emissions - allowing greater enjoyment and reducing environmental impact. After a pre-boarding coffee, Skipper Chris gave Health and Safety advice. Mike supplied the commentary as the group cruised to East Head at the Solent’s entrance. Mike spoke about the geography, social use and wildlife of the harbour; including the seal colony and bird watching trips

After the catamaran turned around; the cruise continued into Bosham Creek where the group saw The Christian Youth Enterprises Sailing Centre in action. The different view of the village was enchanting - Mike warned about “The Bosham Car Wash” – free to any car in the wrong place on a rising tide!

On returning to Itchenor the group enjoyed the Sailing Club’s hospitality with an excellent lunch in its Harbourside location. The group passed its appreciation to Kay and Chef Danny.

14 July 2021

VISIT TO SULLINGTON

After 16 months of ‘lockdown’ and being unable to meet, the Ferring Probus Club was finally able to restart its monthly meetings on the 14th July. To celebrate the occasion a visit was arranged to Sullington, a small village in West Sussex not far from the town of Storrington.

The club not only celebrated its recommencement, but also used the occasion to meet its new lady members. This was the first-time ladies had been able to become members since the club’s inauguration in February 1982.

The visit to Sullington commenced with a two course Lunch, served in The Old Workshop café, and hosted by the owner Gail Kittle. During Lunch, members were able to chat and share fellowship together. They also welcomed members who had joined them for the trip, from Probus Clubs in Littlehampton and Arundel.

Following Lunch, a visit to the Old Rectory Gardens had been arranged. The gardens were open under the National Gardens Scheme. Members were introduced to the Head Gardener Mark Dixon who showed the group around the gardens, explained the various areas of planting and was able to answer questions put to him. The warm sunshine added to the enjoyment of seeing the vast array of flowers and shrubs.

To conclude the visit, afternoon tea of homemade scones and cakes were enjoyed. This was kindly served by members of Sullington Church, once again in The Old Workshop Café.

The visit proved to be a great success and new friendships were made with the visiting Probus Club members.

15 December 2021

DECEMBER INVITATION LUNCH and 52 members and guests joined us for this lunch. An excellent traditional Christmas lunch was followed by an amusing and entertaining presentation by DAVID HAMILTON who shared some of his stories from 60 years in broadcasting. Following David's entertaining talk there were a number of raffle prizes drawn and a “free” table raffle with nominal donated prizes.

The Dining Room was decorated to reflect the festive season and guests from some of the other local Probus Clubs joined us for this Festive Lunch.