How the Aces fell

Thursday 26 June

Brian Slater 

What happened to some of the 'Aces' from World War I.

Tea - Foundation Stone of the Empire 

Thursday 12 June

Mike Rendell 

 How a few tea leaves led to Britain ruling the waves.

Waverley trip 

Wednesday 11 June

An amazing time was had by all on this Bristol Channel trip to Ilfracombe on the Waverley paddle steamer.

It was a calm sunny day on the channel and the historic harbour town of Ilfracombe proved a great destination. 

Brunel, the man, his life and family beyond Bristol

Thursday 8 May

Mike Rowland 

We all know of many of his local landmarks and incredible feats, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the SS Great Britain and Temple Meads Railway Station. But we'll learn much more about this amazing man.

Thursday 24 April

Annual reports and election of officers for the Probus Club of Nailsea, followed by a fascinating powerpoint presentation by 

Garry Gowans entitled:

'Four Men in a Boat'

Don't miss it!

New Member Presentations

Thursday 10 April

One of the strengths of Probus is the broad range of personalities, careers and backgrounds of our members.

This variety was highlighted when recent joiners, Geoff Cannock, Nigel Turner and John Hadler, each told us more about their lives.

Edwardian Era

JOINT MEETING

Thursday 27 March

Yvonne Bell

Following on from her very popular talk last year about Harrods in the Edwardian era, we welcome Yvonne Bell again for a another fascinating talk giving an insight into the Edwardian era.

I am sure it will be an interesting, educational and entertaining morning.

Dementia

JOINT MEETING

Thursday 13 March

David Francis

David will be giving an interesting and informative  talk about dementia. 

Dementia is a broad term used to define a group of diseases that significantly impact and degrade memory, thinking and the ability to perform daily tasks. Different types of dementia are all caused by abnormal changes within the brain.

Visit to Oakham Treasures

Thursday 6 March

Oakham Treasures is one of the largest privately owned museums of retail and farming history in the UK. 

You’ll be fascinated by this vast and unique collection of memorabilia from the last century. There really is something for everybody, from the thousands of items in the historic stores, to the impressive display of vintage tractors and farm equipment.

James Webb Telescope

Thursday 27 February

Jo Richardson

Jo Richardson will give a talk on the amazing James Webb Space Telescope which is literally taking the Astronomical world by storm. 

We will delve into how it was engineered, delivered to Space, 1 million miles from Earth, how it works and what secrets of the Universe it is likely to unlock to help us in our constant desire to understand the Universe in which we live 

Operation Carthage; Mosquitos over Copenhagen

Thursday 13 February

Nigel Turner

Nigel will tell the story of the RAF raid on the Gestapo Head Quarters in Copenhagen in April 1945. 

He will cover the development of the Mosquito, the political situation in Denmark during WWII and finally, the raid itself

Travelogues - less talk, more pictures!

Thursday 23 January

Peter Holt

 We were treated to a series of audio / visual presentations which transported us to a variety of destinations around the world.

Subjects included wildlife in Africa, birds in the Caribbean and a mountain railway in North America, all accompanied by appropriate music. 

6th (Territorial) Battalion Gloucestershire Regt. in WW1 

Thursday 9 January

Jeremy Banning

The 6th (Territorial) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment was one of the six territorial battalions raised by the regiment during World War I. 

Jeremy gave us a very interesting talk and told us more about the history of the battalion and about its creation and deployment in the First World War.

James Cook: from the farm to the fleet

Thursday 12 December

Barry Hamblyn

Barry gave us a really interesting talk about the extraordinary life of one of our greatest explorers. 

We hear how from humble beginnings on a farm in Yorkshire, James Cook chose a career at sea and a life of exploration and discovery, to become one of our country's most well-known heroes.

Much of the pioneering map making he carried out in the 18th Century remained in use for the next two hundred years.

Annual Festive Christmas Lunch

Thursday 5 December

Masonic Hall, Nailsea

Members and guests had an excellent lunch at the Masonic Hall. 

As always, the food and service was first class, and the speeches were entertaining and greatly appreciated.

Thanks to Gareth Griffith and all those involved in putting the event together. 

The First British Empire

Thursday 14 November

Garry Gowans

Garry treated us to an interesting talk about the first British Empire which was established during the 3rd century AD by Carausius. 

Carausius was from a working class background in Belgic Gaul, and rose to become commander-in-chief of the Roman fleet in Britain and then broke away from the Roman Empire.