THE club's first meeting took place at a private house in Kempsey in 1977. Several homes later, members now meet in very comfortable surroundings and with plenty of car-parking space at St Dunstan's Bowling Club, Greenhill, London Road, Worcester.

Members celebrated the club's 30th birthday on June 13, 2007, with a party during the regular weekly meeting yesterday, and will follow it with dinner at Spires restaurant tomorrow evening.

Research reveals that while the club has an establishment of 55 members, there have been only about 150 in the past 30 years, a tribute to loyalty and longevity.

Probus clubs were the off-spring of Rotary as a focus for members as they retired from employment. Membership is now open to any retired or semi-retired man with the desire to escape for a couple of hours on a Monday morning. Phone Mike on 354973 as there are a few vacancies.

Clubs are non-political and non-sectarian. The Monday meeting usually includes a talk on any of a wide range of subjects by a visiting speaker, member, or member of another Probus club.

Often our speaker has a charitable cause in mind and we are pleased to help them in their efforts. Young people have been sponsored in their endeavours.

Coffee and biscuits follow the talk and the meeting ends after a discussion of forward plans, for social activities are also important.

These may include coach trips, luncheons, local visits - often linked to a previous talk - and visits by car for lunch and a walk-about in pleasant surroundings.

Wives are included in all the social events and sometimes even at a Monday morning meeting when the subject is of equal interest to both women and men. We meet at 10am for a 10.15 start. The meeting normally ends at about noon.

Visitors and potential members are welcome to attend a club meeting or join a social event as a guest of a member