Club News
February Lunch: Chairman, Andrew Carver, welcomed 22 members. The scheduled speaker, Chris Chippendale, was unfortunately unable to attend due to a medical emergency. Thankfully, Andrew Banfield and Ian Payne stepped in. £46 was raised for the Chairman’s Charity, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and the raffle raised £ 29.
News of Members: Our Club Secretary, Ian Payne, was admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke. We wish Ian a safe and speedy recovery, and our support has been extended to his wife, Pauline. Other news will be reported at the luncheon meeting.
Birthdays in March: Andrew Frazer, Eric Jenkinson, Terry Ribbens, Mike Southwell.
Outings/Events: The ‘Magic Circle HQ’ visit on12 March is fully booked. Further outings to Hampton Court and The Skinners’ Livery Hall are planned for later in the year. Please Contact Terry Ribbens on tribbs42@gmail.com for further suggestions.
Annual Quiz 6th February 2026, Cameron Hall Old Coulsdon: The quiz, ably organized by Ian Payne with Brian Udell as Quizmaster, was held for the benefit of the Chairman’s Charity and was supported by 4 teams from Coulsdon & Purley Probus, was a great success, attracting 72 participants and raised a surplus of £ 676.
Speakers: The Chairman’s Charity’s guest speaker from The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Kevina Goodchild, is scheduled to attend.
2 April 2026: Tony Farrell ’28 Years in 28 Minutes’
Welfare Secretary: Please contact Tony Farrell if anyone knows of a member in difficulty: tonyfarrell1953@gmail.com
Lunch changes by 10.30am the prior Tuesday to chris@moniz.co.uk T:020 8660 6063. Please email vincentfosdike@gmail.com with articles for the Newsletter.
February Speakers: Andrew Banfield & Ian Payne
by James Dearlove
Our scheduled speaker at February’s luncheon meeting, Chris Chippendale, sadly was unable to attend and at very short notice, two intrepid club members kindly stepped into the breach. Andrew Banfield OBE followed by Ian Payne delivered amusing and thought-provoking talks.
Andrew described his talk as ‘The last night of Empire’ when he gave us a glimpse of his emotional recollection of a night in July 1997 in Hong Kong when the United Kingdom transferred ownership and administration to China after 156 years of colonial rule. As President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (as well as a leader in other related bodies such as the Hong Kong Institute of Environmental Health), Andrew who had been presented with the OBE in the previous year, was among those representing the UK at the hand-over ceremony. He recalled the moment when Chris Patten (the 28th and last governor of the territory) boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia just after midnight on the 1st of July, and when soldiers removed the Queen’s crown from their uniforms. Serviceman duly exchanged the respective flags of both sovereign countries. The atmosphere was tense with policemen armed. Andrew was based in the Holiday Inn hotel on Hong Kong Island where an impressive meeting was taking place set to a British agenda. A significant number of relatively young working age people were understandably concerned about employment prospects in the UK. The Highland Cathedral tune was played as the anthem of the Royal Hong Kong Police followed by the national anthems and the shaking of hands. Back in the Holiday Inn, a karaoke event had started with a Chinese farewell rendition when Andrew, suitably fortified from the bar, fearlessly sang ‘Take me Home Country Road’, an appropriate ending to a very emotional night. Thank you, Andrew, for representing your country at such an historic event.
Ian, also in a similar modest manner; (recalled in his capacity of Chairman of a Croydon Council Committee), an occasion whilst chairing a business meeting when several delegates questioned the apparent complexity of conducting business in parts of the world where. corruption occurs. Ian did not disclose his advice during his talk, but perhaps this could be a topic for a future talk?
On a lighter note, Ian recalled when he recently came across a photo of a younger family member with a friend which had been taken in a photo booth many years ago. This particular picture always induces much family amusement since at the time both youngsters were seeking temporary employment during their holidays. The two merrily found a photo booth, and perhaps thinking on the spur of the moment, decided to sit side by side in the cubicle in an effort to save money (possibly with the thought of splicing the photograph and to provide each of them with a selfie for an unsuspecting employer). Ian gleefully indicated that the photo still causes much family merriment. One can only assume that common sense eventually prevailed and that both boys subsequently obtained their personal photos? However, the Probus members have not yet ascertained whether the young hopefuls were successful in their respective job applications? Ian, please do let us know!
Gentlemen, many thanks to you both for your touching impromptu contributions.
A Lively Evening
by Vincent Fosdike
On the 6th of February, our Probus hosted a quiz night which is a well-loved annual event and as usual held at Cameron Hall. Proceeds will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust which is the Chairman’s charity.
Our Chairman introduced the quizmaster, Brian Udell and Ian Payne who carried out a substantial amount of the organizing work.
Ten teams participated and the competition was keen resulting in a tie break for first place.
There was a welcome interlude for a fish and chips supper and a raffle which was well supported.
Our thanks for a lively evening go to Ian Payne, Andrew Carver and Brian Udell.