The major problems that arose in 2007/08 from one relatively narrow area of banking activity should not diminish the huge benefit to be derived from the work of the financial services community. That narrow activity, primarily in the derivatives markets, arose because the profits and tax revenues arising there from were high which discouraged boards... Continue Reading →

A visit organised by Roger and his team.   Memorial to Sir Isaac Newton Shrine to St Edward the Confessor Tomb of Elizabeth 1st  

Outline It was a circular walk of about 4 miles, 1 style, flat terrain. We followed the canal along a very quiet tow path to the weir upstream of Walsham Lock. From there, we walked across flat terrain to near Ripley, before crossing the Common towards the rear of the RHS site. We continued along... Continue Reading →

The talk was given by Susan Purcell who: writes and speaks on the English language and linguistics; is fluent in three foreign languages; is the author of ten published books on these topics; is the editor of the Puzzler Crossword Solver’s Dictionary; and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists. As a former... Continue Reading →

The Woodland Trust was founded in 1972 by Kenneth Watkins and is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. It Manages 1000 woods covering 50,000 acres and has planted nearly 40 million trees. It has over 500,000 members, supporters and volunteers. The Woods are important for our wildlife as they provide shelter and food for wildlife,... Continue Reading →

The award was presented by the President to Cliff and the citation read by Malcolm Davis.   I am sure we are all pleased that Cliff`s contribution to Probus has been recognised by the current committee. Cliff was a committee member for about 10 years. For most of this time he was our web-master, and as... Continue Reading →

It was a fascinating talk by Sheila Willis that provided an insight into devious and deadly deeds. The Sumerians in 2500 BC worshipped a goddess of poisons and we were told that they obviously knew a thing or two as throughout history there has been more women than men that have used poison in mass... Continue Reading →

16 members and wives turned out for our walk around Peaslake, the best attendance this year. Perhaps the relatively fine weather-at least it was dry-encouraged more members to put their boots on.   Everyone I spoke to commented on the views as we progressed, and as the cloud was high we had a constant view of the North Downs. The paths... Continue Reading →

  Bentley cars rose to fame in the late 1920s at Le Mans with five victories at Le Mans in the 1920s, plus a sixth in 2003. The history of Bentley dates back to 1919 when W. O. Bentley and his brother H. M. Bentley founded Bentley Motors Limited. W.O. started dreaming about building his... Continue Reading →