Probus Club of Beaconsfield
Annual General Meeting
14th April 2022
Chairman’s Report – Graham Lang
Graham thanked everyone in the club for all their support during his three year term of office.
Special mention to the committee for all their help and support during these challenging times
during the last 12 months. During his time the club has had to deal with the COVID pandemic with
all the challenges that came during that period. The suspension of face to face meetings during
lockdown and the creation of Zoom meeting calls to ensure we kept contact with the members.
Special thanks were given to Ian Petrie, Alun Walters and Mike Collier for all their efforts on setting
up the calls.
When we did get the opportunity to have face to face meetings we had the additional challenge of
finding a new venue as Revolution would not be available. There were two options – Beaconsfield
Rugby Club or St Theresa’s Hall with St Theresa’s hall being chosen.
When it was possible to have normality resumed, we were able to have some of our social events
Spring Lunch, Summer Dinner, Christmas lunch, Brooklands visit and concert at Codugan Hall.
We also had two successful walks and he thanked Tom Aspinall for organising these. The ladies
meetings have been very successful with increased numbers. Brian Scrivener, a member of the
club for 33 years, has resigned.
Graham asked the members if they wanted to continue as an all male club and this was put to the
vote. The decision to remain an all male club was unanimous.
Treasurers Report – John Meins
As at 31st March 2022 the club had £6,784 in the bank including £5,000 on deposit
The bank balance was £412 down on last year mainly due to £438 of costs in the first three
months of the year where there was no subscription and Zoom lectures were held.
A £35 subscription was approved in July 2021 and raised £3,015.
The overall costs were £3,148 comprising room hire and refreshments £1,017, speakers £1,736,
badges. £142, media and equipment £181 and insurance £72.
The directory booklet was deferred saving £242.
Functions were impacted by COVID but we still managed to run 6 events with an overall loss of
£265.
The club remains in a strong financial position.
Thanks go to Brian Jackson for carry out the audit.
John proposed that the annual subscription to be increased to £55.
A vote was taken and was passed by a majority. Payment to be made in April 2022.
Membership Secretary’s Report – Keith Gilham
The number of members has remained steady. We had increased the limit of members from 70 to 90.
At present there is no one on the waiting list. Keith is aware of a small number of members
who may not renew their membership for the coming term and therefore we will have the ability to
welcome new members.
Discussion took place regarding the membership directory. It was agreed that we would have a
new directory for 2022/2023. Phil Snowden suggested that any new members since the
publishing of the last directory in 2019/2020 come early to the next two meetings to have their
photographs taken.
Speaker Secretary’s Report – Mike Collier
This has been a rather uncertain and challenging year for speakers. From April to July we had our
meetings via Zoom, from August we had face to face meetings, socially distance policies
followed, and then in January 2022 we resorted back to Zoom due to the increase in the spread of
the virus and finally from February we continued with our face to face meetings twice a month.
There have been 22 meetings including 2 ladies meetings with an average cost of £77 including
travel costs. Due to Covid lockdown and an increase in fuel costs it is likely that the speakers
costs will increase. Mike asked for an increase in the budgeted average cost for the next year to
£90. This is to be approved by the committee. He also asked for members to let him know of any
suggestions for topics and speakers.
President Report – Mike Newland
Mike thanked Graham Lang for all his efforts of steering the club through these difficult times. He
also thanked the committee for all their support. He thanked Coleen for the teas and coffees and
Keith Hunt for the sound.
He was glad that we were able to maintain the momentum of the club through the use of Zoom
technology and face to face meetings.
Mike proposed that David Webster be appointed as the new Chairman for the next three years.
It was seconded by Ian Petrie and supported by the members.
It was also confirmed that Graham would remain on the committee.
The committee for the next year is as follows:-
Chairman – David Webster
Treasurer – John Meins
Membership Sec – Keith Gilham
Speaker Sec – Mike Collier
Committee Members –
Graham Lang
David Kendall
Brian Jackson
Alun Walters
Ian Petrie
Brian McDowell
New Chairman Comments – David Webster
David apologised that he would not be able to stay for the talk and would not be available for the
next meeting where Graham Lang would deputise for him.
The Italian holiday brochure for September 2022 is available and David requested that members
should book as soon as possible. He also asked members to advise him of their interest in the
holiday and if they have booked directly with the agency.
As the Christmas dinner for 2021 had to be cancelled due to Covid situation, it was decided that
the Summer dinner will take place at Beaconsfield Golf Club on 14th July 2022.