Morden PROBUS Club
MORDEN PROBUS CLUB President 2008-2009 Howard Kennett
PROBUS Clubs are autonomous associations of retired and semi-retired PROfessional and BUSiness men, and in some cases, women. Membership is extended to include any person who has had some measure of responsibility in the field of human endeavour. The seeds of the Probus idea appear to have been sown in 1965 by Fred Cahill, a notable Rotarian of Welwyn Garden City and at about the same time by Rotarian Harold Blanchard of Caterham. The movement grew quickly and there are now over 2000 clubs in the UK with several thousands in many parts of the world.
The Morden Club was founded on 21st March 1988 when Brian Cooper, then the President of Morden Rotary Club, took the chair. It was established that the club would be open to persons resident in, or close to, Morden (this has been liberally interpreted) and that applicants had to be introduced by a member. There are currently 37 members and the annual sub is £10. The objectives of the club were established as:
- to provide members with opportunities for regular meetings
- to encourage the exchange of information and experience
- to further recreational, cultural and social activities, and
- to assist the work of such charities and benevolent institutions as the members determine.
This is a small friendly club run on informal lines. Members are encouraged to suggest projects and ideas. It is recognised that not every venture will be of interest to all but it is hoped that everyone will find something of interest in the wide programme that is organised. Particular care is taken to make new members welcome and to help them enjoy their retirement.
Secretary John Harris January 2008
