The Didsbury Probus Club invites you to our next scheduled Speaker Meeting on Thursday 5th March 2026.
Venue: Didsbury Baptist Church on the corner of School Lane and Beaver Road opposite Didsbury Metrolink, M20 6SX
Time: We will meet at 10:30 am for tea/coffee and biscuits with the talk starting at 11.00am.
Talk Title: Don’t Shoot the Messenger
This is an entertaining talk about the history of advertising and how advertising works. There are many subtleties in the use of promoting a commodity, some so subtle you never know they exist. Frank will give his very enthusiastic and enlightening talk with his usual passion. Come and listen.
Speaker: Frank Vigon
Visitors are very welcome. Donations from visitors, to help with our running costs and provision of refreshments, will be very welcome.
Future talks
19th March – Alan Turing – His Life and Legacy – Neil Sheldon
Alan was a brilliant young man who was recognised for his important work at Bletchley Park on the decoding of the Enigma machine. After the war he came to Manchester and worked at the University until his death. Neil’s presentation covers all the trials, tribulations and successes of his life.
Alan was a brilliant young man who was recognised for his important work at Bletchley Park on the decoding of the Enigma machine. After the war he came to Manchester and worked at the University until his death. Neil’s presentation covers all the trials, tribulations and successes of his life.
2nd April – Mining Memories – Garry Conley
A very interesting and amusing talk about a coal miners life above and below ground, from his own experiences as a miner in the Lancashire coal field.
A very interesting and amusing talk about a coal miners life above and below ground, from his own experiences as a miner in the Lancashire coal field.
16th April – Green Energy – Peter Webb
Peter will be looking at the many aspects of Green/ Renewable Energy, but focusing on Geothermal and the very deep sources of heat energy available.
Peter will be looking at the many aspects of Green/ Renewable Energy, but focusing on Geothermal and the very deep sources of heat energy available.
21st May – A world of Mules and Minders – Brian Topping
A second talk by Brian telling of his life as a customs officer and the world of drug smuggling. He will guide us through the background and history of smuggling drugs, also providing examples of detection and investigation and the skills of officers in maintaining this success. Some interesting anecdotes when things didn’t go quite right for the smugglers.
A second talk by Brian telling of his life as a customs officer and the world of drug smuggling. He will guide us through the background and history of smuggling drugs, also providing examples of detection and investigation and the skills of officers in maintaining this success. Some interesting anecdotes when things didn’t go quite right for the smugglers.
4th June – Titanic Survivors and Their Stories – Mark Llewellin.
An interesting story of some of the survivors, who they were, their background and particularly what happened in their lives afterwards.
Mark will be delivering these surprising experiences with his usual enthusiasm.
An interesting story of some of the survivors, who they were, their background and particularly what happened in their lives afterwards.
Mark will be delivering these surprising experiences with his usual enthusiasm.
18th June – My Life In Crime – Part 2 – Simon Michael
Simon Michael QC now an Author after 37 years as a Barrister working at the Old Bailey and other criminal courts, both defending and prosecuting a wide range of murderers, armed robbers etc. Some of these cases will be featured in his talk.2nd July – The Reluctant Shepherdess – Rosie Lee
Having a career in Banking and then suddenly having to make a decision, to leave banking or take over the family farm.
This is the story of some of the problems, pitfalls and success along this journey in becoming a Shepherdess.
Simon Michael QC now an Author after 37 years as a Barrister working at the Old Bailey and other criminal courts, both defending and prosecuting a wide range of murderers, armed robbers etc. Some of these cases will be featured in his talk.2nd July – The Reluctant Shepherdess – Rosie Lee
Having a career in Banking and then suddenly having to make a decision, to leave banking or take over the family farm.
This is the story of some of the problems, pitfalls and success along this journey in becoming a Shepherdess.