Rochdale Probus Club

Meetings reports 2022 - 2023

AGM 27/03/2022

Retiring president Bill Jenkins opened the meeting & conducted the usual business. He gave his review of the past year, before installing the incoming president, Brian Furness.

Brian gave his opening address, before installing the officers for the next year.

Finally, he made a special presentation to retiring secretary Neville Westerman. Neville had been secretary for 16 years, and felt that it was time to step down. During his time as secretary, he missed only one year when he was president, and only one Christmas lunch owing to illness. An impressive record!
 

Guest speaker, 11/05/22

Jennifer Reid

This young lady surprised the members. A talk about Lancashire Dialect didn't sound too inspirational - until Jennifer started her presentation. Too much to go into detail, and the link below explains her history very well. Suffice it to say, she was brilliant, talking & singing her way through our industrial heritage. If you have the opportunity to see her, please do, you won't be disappointed.

https://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/blog/read/2019/12/bringing-industrial-revolution-broadside-ballads-and-lancashire-dialect-work-song-alive-meet-jennifer-reid-b1045

 

Desert Island Discs, 25/05/22

John Cannell

Roy Plomley started this long running radio programme in 1942, and this year is it's 80th year. The show was performed live, with the eight discs chosen by one of our members, Selwyn Hodge.

As has often been the case with the radio programme, the choice of music & the castaway's history, was not as expected. An eclectic mix of classical, light operatic & even pop music, surprised us, as did his extensive career in science & education.

This was well received, and if another willing volunteer can be found, perhaps repeated next year.

 

Oliver Cromwell's Northern Journey 08/06/22

Nick Burton

An interesting history lesson brought alive by Nick's series of slides showing Cromwell's journey fron Kanrsborough to Preston, to intercept the Royalists coming south from Scotland.

Nick showed pictures of the kind of terrain that an army on foot would have encountered, as some sections of the route are little changed from 1600s. Familiar landscapes, apart from the creep of buildings into the countryside, were recognisable.

Another facinating talk that held our attention throughout. Nick is back later in the year - don't miss it!

 

Magic Tricks 22/06/22

Alan Johnson

Member Alan Johnson baffled us with seemingly impossible tricks. How can a length of rope be cut with scissors, only to re-join itself a moment or two later? Playing cards appearing from inside a balloon - not just any card, but the one selected by a member of the audience! Even the chicken was very good at selecting the right card.

Turning water into wine - well by now we were used to these things, but out of the Daily Mail??

Amazing stuff. And no, he didn't give away any of his secrets!

 

The History of the Post Office in Rochdale 13/07/22

Dr. David Hudson.

Starting back in 1510, David took us through the development of the Post Office, from its initiation by Henry the VIII in 1516, up to the present day, with examples of the earliest letters posted from & to Rochdale.

Before 1840, stamps were not used, letters being paid on receipt, rather than by the person posting it. In 1840 the Penny Black stamp came into service on the 6th of May. Contrary to popular opinion, there were millions of these stamps produced, and they are relativly common.

David's references to Rochdale were most interesting, showing the rich history that the town has. Another mind broadening experience.

The Ffestiniog Railway 24/08/22

Brian Furness

A railway we have all heard of - but Brian's talk about the history & later development as a tourist attraction was most interesting. The subsequent film made the morning.

Seven Robert Peels 14/09/22

Lavina Todd

A fascinating revelation about the Peel family over the ages. Far too much to paraphrase here, but worth looking up! It was the third Robert Peel that we all know about - the other six - well that's the story.

Annual Bowling Match 16/09/22

As usual, held in Falinge Park. Despite a bad week for weather, the day turned out cool but bright & sunny.

The ladies' match was won by Denise Henry, and the gentelman's by Len Hey. The presentations were carried out by President Brian.

Lowry's Manchester. 28/09/22

John Alker

A familiar artist to us all... But John's vast knowedge of the arts expanded on Lowry's life, which held everyone's attention and left us wanting more. One of the best speakers we have had this year.

 

Chetham's School 12/10/22

Geoffrey Scargill

We have all heard of Chetham's college of music, but... Geoffery explained about it's long history, and why it's pronounced 'Cheethams'. This was another excellent talk about a familier subject, which we all now know so much more about. Definitely somewhere to visit in the oldest part of Manchester.

 

Rochdale Children's Moorland Home 26/10/22

Garry Bradbury

Garry is the treasurer of the Buildings & Facilities part of Home, and explained how it began and why it is needed as much now as it was when it started in 1894. A sad reflection on our society. It's purpose is to provide a holiday for deprived children. It is allways oversubscribed. A sobering story.

 

Wainwright - from Lancashire to the Lakes 09/11/22

Nick Burton

Nick followed in Wainwright's footsteps supported by a photographic record, showing some of the places Wainwright stayed at on his walks, and places he lived. Whilst this was the story of Wainwright's life, Nick focused on just one of his walking areas.

Nicely done, and making one want to dig out ones boots and get walking!

 

How to take good pictures with any camera 23/11/22

John Cannell

In his introduction, John pointed out that, for example, a better typewriter won't make the operator a better author. It's not the tools for the job, but the ability of the user to make the best what's available.

Modern digital cameras take care of the exposure & focusing, leaving the operator to choose, compose & decide when to press the button to capture an image.

John explained, with examples, some of the common errors that many inexperienced photographers make. Typical ones are not watching the background when taking a portrait picture, resulting in lamposts or trees apparently growing out of the subjects head, or an advertising poster being prominent, and demanding to be read.

Other things to avoid are taking pictures of people in bright sunlight, making them close their eyes. Instead, move them into open shade. Better not to take pictures in the middle of the day in bright sunlight. Hazy sunlight is much better.

As a rule of thumb, in summer time, put the camera away from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., thus avoiding the harsh shadows and bright sunlight. Much more pleasing results will be achieved.

When taking landscape pictures, try to include things in the foreground too. This gives the picture a feeling of depth & scale.

Most of all, don't only use your camera for special events - keep one with you, for when something interesting or unusual crops up. And the mobile 'phone today is a very good camera too...

Christmas Lunch. 13/12/22

We enjoyed an excelent lunch, attended by a good number of members & partners. 'Hindle Wakes' entertained us with a selection of familiar & original songs, many with a humorous touch.

 

G&S Songs from the Operettas. 11/01/23

Peter & Greta, with their pianist Elaine Marsden, entertained us with not only G&S, but others too. And we had a Special Song from Elaine, who stepped away from her piano. Another enjoyable morning on a cold winter's day.

 

Tales of a Customs Officer, Brian Topping. 25/01/23

One of our best speakers in many years. Brian's amusing & sometimes sad tales kept us entertained such that the hour flew by. He has another talk - 'part 2', which we hope to have another time. One not to miss!

 

Black & White Minstrel Show. Peter Pennington 08/02/23

Peter was a member of the cast of the show, both on the TV & the stage. He had an impressive selection of pictures, and also gave us a brief busrt of song. One little fact that came out was in relation to the naming of the show. Not, as might be expected, the colour of the performers, but the fact that it was shown on B&W TVs! The show started before colour TVs were available.

A trip down memory lane.

 

"1960s, Decade or Dcadence?" Frank Vigon. 22/02/23

Not quite what I was expecting... Frank's story of the 1960s was his experiences of that decade from the perspective of growing up in a poor part of London, and his life there. He progressed up to the north of England with flashbacks to the 60s on the way.

An excellent slick audio-visual presentation that held everyone's attention & prompted discussion after he'd finished.

 

"The Humanimal Trust", Alison Bunn 08/03/23

Most of us are aware that animals are used to test drugs for human use, and accept that this is necessary. Most of us, however were not aware that many diseases are common to both humans & animals.

Vetinary research often mirrors human research into the same diseases. The Trust believes that the two research areas should work together, to be mutually beneficial and save money.

Alison presented a compelling case, and invited members to get involved. For more information follow this link:-

https://www.humanimaltrust.org.uk/

"Three Pairs of Knickers & a Bus Pass", Paula Bradbury. 22/03/23

Paula entertained very well with her tale of minimalist travel - just a rucksack, map & compass. Oh yes - and her bus pass. A first class example of 'just do it'. Her adventures were too many to describe here, but it did include a meeting with the BBC!

"Things you don't Know about Famous Composers" Mary Cawley.

Member Mary certainly surprised us! The lewd goings on around the times of several composers was quite shocking, but very much 'of the time'. Illuminating!

 

Contact Information

Rochdale Probus Club

Rochdale Masonic Rooms
2 Richard Street
Rochdale
OL11 1DU

Tel: 07434 703972

Meeting times

We meet at 10.15am on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday in the month in the Masonic Rooms and we have a speaker for one hour; departing normally around 11.45am.