The History of Coulsdon and Purley Probus
An active, or relaxed retirement is the well earned dream of most of us. Never-the-less we do not want to lose that interaction we had with like minded people which we had during our business careers.
When in nearby Caterham, retired bank manager, Harold Blanchard, started the very first PROBUS CLUB for retired PROfessional and BUSiness people in 1966, little was he to know that in a relatively short time Probus would become world wide with 4,000 clubs and over 300,000 members.
Shortly after starting the Caterham Probus, Harold Blanchard was one of the guests of honour at the formation of COULSDON PROBUS, it becoming the second Probus Club in the world.
In 2023 Coulsdon Probus amalgamated with Purley Probus to become COULSDON AND PURLEY PROBUS. We meet once a month for lunch, at which there is a guest speaker. Local charities are supported and a pool of drivers offer their services to the infirmed of the neighbourhood. A lively social side of the club includes rambles, visits to places of interest, Ladies Lunches.
Coulsdon and Purley Probus meet in Purley Sports Club, The Ridge, Purley, Surrey, CR9 3PF on the first Thursday of each month. Over the years we have had a few changes of location, but the Sports Club have made us very welcome and have excellent amenities, including a Club Bar and Diningroom.
The Bar has a good range of wines, beers, and spirits, whilst the quality of the food in the dining room has never failed to impress the most discerning of gourmets.