21 November - Chichester Planetarium visit - organiser Simon Powlson reports:-

‘31 members, associates and guests went to the Planetarium to see their show.

We were a bit worried as we knew the seats were comfortable, leaned back and, lets be honest, could induce dozing, sleeping even snoring among some of us.

No snore was heard. John Mason was an outstanding speaker and presenter. He started with how the stars and planets look this evening in our local night sky and showed us how that would change over time. He was able to pick out features, that many of us would recognise, and explain their behaviour and history. His ability to provide a seamless dialogue to what is a very complicated and at times bizarre process made it both fascinating and understandable. Several of us were saying that we will return for another show/talk before Christmas.

The organiser even went out at 4.30 the following morning to see if the shooting stars were visible. It was cold wet and cloudy with nary a star in sight, but it was a small example of how interesting John’s talk had been

Over half of us were able to go onto Wagamama’s where we learned even more about exotic and different places like katsu and teriyaki and had a thoroughly good time’

27 August 2019 - Gliding Day- the photos above are from this terrific event that was organised by Rob Golding and he reports:- 

"Some intrepid members spent the day taking a winch launch in a glider to experience the pleasure of unpowered flight. Under a cloudless sky with the temperature peaking in the low 30’s centigrade, about 30 intrepid aviators took to skies in 2 seater gliders at Southdown Gliding Club. The day started, after a delay caused by changing wind directions, at about 11am and finished about 6.30pm, with a break for a ploughman’s lunch (with strawberries and cream) enjoyed by the 45 Probus members and guests that gathered for either participating in the flying or just watch and chat. The aviators enjoyed the thrill of a flight in either a modern K21 glider or the traditional T21 with its open cockpit and side by side seating arrangements. Despite further interruptions caused by the heat and changing wind directions some of the flights lasted well beyond the budgeted time (much to the organiser's chagrin as his timetable went into a slow meltdown) much to the pleasure of the pilots who experienced soaring flight. Thanks to all the members of SGC who made this memorable day possible." 

23 July 2019 - Greenwich/Cutty Sark visit - the photos above are from this event that was organised by Ian Gibson and he reports:-

"24 members and guests travelled by coach in superb weather to Greenwich on 23rd July to visit the major sites, mainly the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark. On arrival in Greenwich most people had a coffee break and having been given their Explorer ticket went off independently in every direction to spend the day visiting everything Greenwich has to offer. Having been dropped off the coach near the Royal Observatory, most people started in that area before walking downhill to Cutty Sark and neighbouring museums. Some members commented, that although they had been to Greenwich before, there were many new things to see which did not take anything away from the day’s enjoyment.

11 July 2019 - Members' Ladies Lunch - the photo selection above is from this event & organiser Gwen Moss reports:-

"As Chairman’s wife for this year, I was privileged (!) to be offered the opportunity to organise a lunch event for the wives and partners of the Chanctonbury Probus Club.  Despite being full of trepidation from the outset, I took on the challenge with a degree of enthusiastic spirit.

My main concern was to break with tradition in terms of when in the year the event should be held and (just as importantly) finding somewhere other than Angmering Manor for where we should go.  I thought that a mid-summer lunch at a venue with far-reaching views might just work and decided to plan this event at Tottington Manor, near Henfield.

The weather on the day turned out to be full of sunshine and warmth, with the venue (and the meal) proving to be very, very agreeable.  Guests were able to choose from a selection of four dishes from each of a 2 or 3‑course meal – this allowed for plenty of choice and flexibility according to guests’ appetites!

I was both surprised and very happy that 35 guests were able to join me for the lunch.  I was amazed by the number of very appreciative and positive comments received both during and after the event.  It seems that everyone had a lovely time and that they all enjoyed themselves.  On reflection, I think that my feelings of nervousness and trepidation from the outset were, perhaps, not really justified – but I am thankful that I can now sit back and relax!"

24 to 26 June 2019 St Malo Gourmet Cruise - The photos above give a flavour of a very enjoyable trip to France Organiser John Gilbert reported:-

"35 members of the Chanctonbury Probus Club, travelled to Portsmouth and boarded the Brittany Ferries vessel, Bretagne, to experience a gourmet evening dinner. After an overnight channel crossing, with onboard entertainment, including a cinema, the vessel berthed by the historic walled city of St Malo, Brittany, France.

Initially, a little cloudy, the afternoon was glorious sunshine. At midday everybody was treated to an excellent 3 course lunch in either, the restaurant Cafe de L’Ouest or Le Lion d’Or.

After a day exploring the city and old town, everybody returned to the Bretagne where we were treated to a pleasant musical evening as we made the return Channel crossing to Portsmouth. A great couple of days was had by all."

3 June 2019 - Here are a few photos from the very successful Inter Probus Club Croquet day - our Club organiser Laki Marangos reported:-

20 May 2019 - a selection of photos above were taken when 25 Members and Associate members joined Clive Jones on the coach bound for Brighton for the 'Brighton Old, Brighton New' visit to the Royal Pavilion and the British Airways i360 Observation Tower. The Royal Pavilion has a colourful history stretching back over 200 years and was built as the seaside pleasure palace for King George IV. Since then it has served as a civic building, First World War hospital and is now a true icon of Brighton. The exterior of the unusual Indian styled architecture gave way to the even more amazing decor and architecture of the rooms inside which combines Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China. We then had free time to explore Brighton and/or have a bite to eat before arriving at the i360 for our 'flight' in the afternoon.

This tower, which opened in 2006, is a 162 m tall needle structure with an ascending and descending circular viewing platform and is Britain's tallest moving observation tower. Fortunately, despite a forecast of some rain, the weather was kind to us and remained dry, giving everyone the opportunity to study Brighton in a very different way, although on this occasion we were unable to see the Isle of Wight as it was just too misty. Judging by the feedback, an interesting and friendly day was enjoyed by all.

25 April 2019 - these photos above are a selection taken at the Club's 24th Anniversary Dinner that was enjoyed by 61 members, associates and families at the West Sussex Golf Club - a lovely evening that had been organised by Graham Moss

16 April 2019 - The photos above show the very enjoyable afternoon 9 of us spent practicing at the beautiful surrondings at the Rother Valley Croquet Club at Duncton near Petworth under expert coaching and hopsitality of Anne & Alan Sugarman - the event was arranged by Laki Marangos 

11 February 2019 - Ten Pin Bowling with Storrington Probus Club -24 club members, and 9 from Storrington & District, took part in a “friendly” game at the Out of Bounds at Rustington. After the initial confusion of lanes having been reversed by O of B, everybody settled down to the usual rivalry, especially between husband and wives!  Afterwards everybody retired to the nearby Windmill Inn for lunch, where prizes were awarded to the best two ladies (Pat Beard and Gill Gilbert), best two gentlemen (Clive Jones and Stuart Arnold) and the best overall team (Ted Fisher, Alan Jeffs, Vicky Jeffs and Stuart Arnold). There is concern that some of the newer members are “stealing” some of the prizes! Yet again John Gilbert complained about not getting a prize especially as his wife did! There was a sigh of relief in that this was the first year Storrington failed to steal some of the limelight. A good day was had by all. 

21 January 2019 - Pensioners on ice - Simon Powlson arranged for 12 men and 4 women plus some spectators from this Club to try curling for the first time at Fenton's rink near Tunbridge Wells. We split into four teams and after a quick and helpful tutorial collected our shoes brushes and headed onto the ice with our coach Felix. Most of us were unsure but the coach  was very helpful and I had a lot of fun. It was a great day out. The two hours we spent on the rink flew by as we tried to master the art of pushing a 20 kilo lump of Ailsa Craig granite 150 feet down the ice to stop on a target circle 12 feet in diameter. It was more than a tad tricky but slowly we improved from hopeless to hopeful and even managed to score a hat trick - three stones in the circle. Lots of shouted advice, excitement, furious sweeping, and delight until the successful stone got knocked out by the opposing team or worse still ones own. A day to remember, we will be back.

16 October 2018 - a few photos are shown above taken at the Chairman's Invitation Lunch held at the Worthing Golf Club

10 August 2018 - a few photographs above show our great day out on the Steam Ship 'Shieldhall' around Southampton Docks to view the Three Queen cruiseships - pity about the weather but one or two of our party enjoyed a wine whilst it rained!