Meeting report 23rd July2026

Report of the Probus general meeting on the 23rd July 2026

President opened the meeting at 10.45am, welcomed the 34 members and 1 visitor and gave out the safety notices. There were 11 apologies

The president’s question this morning was who said “when men come to like a sea life, they are not fit to live on land “answer Samuel Johnson

The President said that even with so many apologies it was excellent to see so many members present.

The president asked the officers for their reports.

Treasurer had nothing to report.

Speaker Sec had nothing to report

Social Secretary Jerry Sullivan said there was a new social event planned and gave out the details. It is an afternoon bowls event at Wrenbury Bowling Club on Friday 14th August followed by cream tea at “the Berries” adjacent to the club. Open to members and guests

The signup sheet is at the front of the room Please sign up by today or give Jerry a ring.

Cost is £15 per head which included green fees.

Welfare officer Joe Hoyles said he has rung and spoken to Derek Rooke a founder member who had just had his 95th birthday.

Also, he had rung Alan Hodgson, a former president, and had spoken to his carer.

Robin Hazelton has had his operation on his hand and is back home

Hon Sec had nothing to report

The president then introduced the speaker to the meeting Andrew Rowe whose talk was titled “Finding Elmo, in search of a piece of Cheshire History “

Andrew, a member of Northwich Probus, gave a very entertaining and informative talk about his search for St Elmo, one of the last tugboats built at Northwich

His question to members “what is the connection between Miranda Hart, Lawrence of Arabia and a storm drain cover in Leftwich” left most members completely puzzled but the answer became clear during the talk.

Andrew detailed the history of Yarwood and Sons, boat builders at Northwich at which his father had worked and Andrew and his brothers had seen many of the boats built there launched into the Weaver.

The St Elmo was a tugboat built for Valetta harbour Malta and as Andrew had a holiday booked for Malta, he decided to go and search for Elmo, to see if it still existed.

He did find her in Valetta harbour still working but now renamed as the “Mirkurt “

The pilots at the harbour instantly knew of the boat, recognised the St Elmo name, and welcomed him on board when the “Mirkurt” returned to harbour.

Amazingly they still had the original Yarwood plans of the boat.

Hayden Christie gave the vote of thanks and members expressed their appreciation in the usual manner

The president thanked all members for attending today and reminded members we now have our summer break and the next meeting is on the 10th September 2026

The president closed the meeting at 11.30am