​How We Have Enjoyed Ourselves

Over The Past Year

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27 August 2026 Our annual Skittles Evening at The Spur, Slindon. More than 30 combatants and hangers-on attended this explosive evening of fun and laughter. The deadliness of Richard’s format (no prisoners held here), the booming voice of Cliff’s announcements and the unswerving accuracy of the winners (Kay Cleveley and Steve Young) made the event a joy to remember. If that was not enough, Richard had arranged for an excellent barbecue meal to help the drinks go down and  pump up tired arm muscles. Thank you Richard Green for making all this possible. [ML]

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20 August 2026  Fourteen members joined our second summer Walk, setting off from The Queens Head, West Chiltington at 11.00am and successfully completing the 3.5 mile circular walk to arrive back for lunch at 1.00pm.

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The weather was fine.  The route took them through a new vineyard where they observed the grapes were small due to the hot weather. However, they were informed by the field workers that the grapes were very sweet and that it should be a good year for wine (good news!). Leaving West Chiltington on the footpath towards Thakeham they encountered a house with two large goats in the garden - they were so friendly the group stopped to take photographs with them. Turning left at the next finger post, through the back of the old mushroom farm and then left again back towards West Chiltington.

Everyone enjoyed the walk and were ready for their lunch. [AF]

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17 August 2026  Several combatant members competed at the Inter-PROBUS Croquet Match at the Sussex County Croquet Club, Southwick. Apparently, they "... all had a great day.  The weather was perfect and so was the hospitality. Our players gave very respectable performances at this devilish game!" No winners, then. [LAW]

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31 July 2026  There was music, laughter, fine food and plenty of surprises as more than 50 members and their wives and guests gathered at the West Sussex Golf

Club to celebrate the our annual President's Ladies' Dinner and 40th Anniversary Night.

 

Bathed in glorious summer sunshine, the evening provided a fitting celebration of four decades of friendship, companionship and community spirit. The Golf Club's dining room was transformed with ruby-red decorations, anniversary banners and balloons - creating the perfect setting for a memorable occasion. We enjoyed a delicious 1980s-themed three-course dinner before an evening of entertainment, devised and performed entirely by our members. Proceedings opened in spectacular fashion with a Parade of Past Presidents making their entrance to Shirley Bassey's Get the Party Started. Some

embraced the occasion with costumes inspired by the legendary singer—an act of bravery that drew enthusiastic applause and more than a few smiles. The entertainment continued with an ingenious game in which, to everyone's delight and complete surprise, every guest walked away with a prize!

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The highlight of the evening was a lively recollection of our 40-year history. Past Presidents reflected on the people, friendships and memorable events that have shaped the Club since its formation in 1986. This concluded with the premiere of "The Probus Way", a song with lyrics written by Club members and enthusiastically performed by a quartet affectionately known as The Motley Crew. Their performance may not trouble the charts, but it certainly brought the house down.

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As the evening drew to a close, guests agreed that the anniversary celebration had been a tremendous success — an occasion filled with warmth, humour and good company that perfectly reflected everything that our Club stands for.[PE]

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17 July 2026 Coffee Morning at the Sportsman Inn, Amberley  In fine weather with superb views across the hills, 36 members and guests enjoyed, yet again, a convivial coffee morning on the pub's terrace.

 

16 July 2026  We visited Chichester Festival Theatre to see the stage production of My Fair Lady. By all accounts, it was a brilliant show, enjoyed by all

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18 June 2026 Summer Walk from/to The Ship Inn, West Itchenor - followed by Lunch

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7-11 June 2026  Our annual summer holiday saw us spending four nights at the Belle-Vue Hotel, Vianden, North Luxembourg. Our outbound journey was by coach to Dover, crossing to Calais, through France and Belgium to our hotel in time for dinner. 

 

The second day started with a short visit to Villeroy & Boch Factory outlet where

stylish porcelain and fine crystal were displayed, Most members and guests purchased

something to bring home. Then on to Luxembourg for a guided city tour. Completing the day was a visit to the National Museum of Military History which included the tour guide describing the Battle of the Bulge and how it affected the local area. 

 

Next day was visit to Vianden Castle which overlooks the village, with the highlight of descending by chair lift with spectacular views.

 

Day 4 comprised a coach trip to Trier in Germany with a tour aboard the city's electric train. In the afternoon we went to the Moselle Valley and Caves St Martin for a tour of the caves and wine-tasting, Fitting end to an excellent day!

 

On the final day we travelling home, visiting  on the way Dinant, a beautiful little town by the river Meuse.

 

A wonderful holiday enjoyed by all! And with grateful thanks to organiser, Alan.

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20 May 2026 Today seventeen of us visited St Mary's House, Bramber. A well-preserved half-timbered Elizabethan House built on land previously occupied by the Knights Templar. It came with its own eventful history and a treasure trove of historical collections. Packed to the gunnels with artefacts and paintings, the design and atmosphere of each room bore witness to the narrative of the house. Ghosts, royalty, hiding priests, authors and painters amongst others have graced this time honoured-building. I am glad we have as well. A big thank you to owners Peter Thorogood(d) and Roger Linton who together with friends and volunteers have given their lives to preserving this special place. We rounded off the occasion with a brief visit to the gardens followed by an excellent lunch with concomitant chinwag at the nearby Castle Hotel. (ML)

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7 May 2026  A slightly smaller-than-usual (but more select?) group of members and guests enjoyed another Coffee Morning at the Findon Manor. We consumed the coffee and cakes, and some had tea. As ever, excellent fellowship and chatter were in abundance.

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30 April 2026 Meeting at The George at Burpham for coffee, we started our Spring Walk: a circular stroll of about 3.75miles, part road with the majority of the walk on footpaths through woods and fields. Some of the paths were very uneven ad we passed through a number of gates and stiles, also crossing streams and narrow bridges: there are some uphill sections. As ever, lunch followed.  

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​​22 April 2026 Probus members and their wives enjoyed a sumptuous tea at the Coral Brighton and Hove Greyhound Stadium while watching their chosen dog race around the track taking their hard earned cash with it. Some of us won, some of us lost, but it was a very social event and conversation flowed back and forth.

As an added attraction, we sponsored the seventh race to celebrate our Club's 40th anniversary This 500m race was won by Harly Quinn. His owner was presented with a special trophy which was handed to him on the rostrum by club members.

Overall, an excellent afternoon out with good company. To be repeated, without doubt.

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19 March 2026 Some 30 members and guests met at the Crown Inn, Cootham for the second Coffee Morning of the year. Great natter, coffee and biscuits - as usual. ​​​

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3 March 2026 The annual mind-bending session that is Andrew and Sheila Boultbee's Quiz was ably and convivially managed by our hosts so that all 35 of us there had a wonderfully challenging and social time. Some 90 questions of varying difficulty and subject matters were fired at us. Suffice it to say one team scored less points than the others so enjoyed dinky Creme Eggs as well as the customary wooden spoons. Another team scored more and won wine and choccies. (This winning team included the very modest report writer! - Ed). Those present also enjoyed a magnificent tea of sandwiches and cakes served halfway through to revitalise ailing brain cells! (ML)

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23 February 2026  Our annual “friendly challenge” Ten Pin Bowling match against Chanctonbury PROBUS Club at the Out of Bounds Centre in Rustington. After plenty of laughs, some questionable techniques, and a healthy dose of friendly rivalry, we headed over to The Black Horse in Findon for a well‑earned lunch and awarding of prizes, including the coveted trophy, to Chanctonbury Club for the highest overall average score. All in all, it was a great day — good company, plenty of fun, and a perfect chance for both clubs and their guests to catch up over bowling and a hearty lunch.( JC)

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18 February 2026 We had planned for a  circular, flat, 3½ mile Winter Walk starting from the Ship Inn at West Itchenor. The route would have given us views of the Chichester channel. Lunch would have been, naturally, at the Ship Inn. However, this being England in winter, the inclement weather became the deciding factor and we had to cancel the walk.

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22 January 2026 We returned to the Queen's Head, West Chiltington for the first Coffee Morning of the year. Thirty-three members and guests enjoyed great fellowship, chit-chat and, of course, coffee, scones, biscuits and cakes.

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5 January 2026  Surviving Christmas and the snow, an enthusiastic group were shown around Lancing College Chapel by one of their official guides - former pupil and now club member - Roger Overton-Smith. We were treated to a passionate, entertaining and knowledgeable tour, coming away with a better understanding of the chapel's history and use.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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6 December 2025 A group of 20 members, friends and guests attended the Christmas Concert at Chichester Festival Theatre listening to The Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth and Chichester Cathedral Choir. 

​After a delicious pre-concert lunch in the Theatre’s Brasserie Restaurant the group enjoyed a brilliant display of musicianship with a wide variety of music including traditional carols, Christmas pieces both modern and classical, the beautiful singing of the Choir, an audience sing-along and the rapid precision drumming of the Corps of Drums. A thoroughly enjoyable and fabulous day out.

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​4 December 2025  Forty-three members, wives, partners & friends gathered for our 2025-26 President's Ladies Lunch at West Sussex Golf Club.  This event made a wonderful start to the Christmas season for those present, where a sumptuous meal was served followed by a seasonal raffle in lovely surroundings and great company.

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26 November 2025 A large number of members and guests had another enjoyable time during our Christmas Coffee Morning at the Labouring Man, Coldwaltham. The pub was looking its best ahead of the festive season: the coffee, cakes, biscuits and company were all, as usual, up to a very high standard.

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21 November 2025  Twelve of us visited Preston Manor.We assembled in the first-rate ‘caff’. In fairness we did not know what to expect but the spirit of curiosity drove us on. We were well rewarded. Preston Manor as part of Brighton and Hove Museums enjoys considerable renovation and an enhanced visitor experience. All brought to life by our knowledgeable guide. It was the home of the Stanford family and offers an insight into Edwardian living. The family were social climbers and intrepid travellers. This is reflected not only in the various construction projects but also in the myriad of heirlooms, antiques, mementos and keepsakes that adorn this fascinating place. Lunch followed at The Plough, Pyecombe with appetising food and a convivial atmosphere. The perfect end to an interesting Event.

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24 October 2025 Autumn Walk from, and lunch at, The Half Moon, Warninglid.

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14 October 2025  "Stroll to the Pole"  Sue Riches shared her experiences and dangers walking across the polar ice cap to the North Pole as a member of an all women's relay team. And what a walk! Pressure ridges, leads of open water, rubber ice, storms, continual daylight etc. Pulling laden sleds. Falling into Arctic waters. Exhaustion. Comradeship. All vividly brought to life with the help of striking photos. An illuminating afternoon for us all sitting in the comfort and warmth of Thakeham Village Hall with a lavish tea ahead of us.

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23 September 2025  Guided Tour of Shoreham Fort.

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​16 September 2025 Coffee Morning at the Findon Manor Hotel, Findon attended by 20 coffee-addicted members and guests.

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