THE PROBUS CLUB OF ST NEOTS

“Friendly, Like-minded and Local”

Club Secretary Contact: stneotsprobussec@gmail.com

SOCIAL EVENTS 2025

JANUARY

MONTHLY LUNCH

The Club started 2025 with its monthly luncheon held at the St Neots RUFC on Wednesday 8th January, when 24 members attended (which was incidentally the same number as in January 2024). Jackie and her staff served those attending, Prawn Cocktail, Sausage and Mash with vegetables, followed by Treacle Sponge and Custard. Most talk was of Christmas and New Year activities. Our President Les was away holidaying in Australia so our Vice President Bill hosted proceedings.

COFFEE MORNING

The first Coffee Morning in 2025 was held on Wednesday 22nd January in the St Neots RUFC, where 23 members and partners gathered for a drink and biscuits, plus a catch up with friends and colleagues.

FEBRUARY

MONTHLY LUNCH

23 members gathered at the St Neots RUFC for the February monthly luncheon on Wednesday 5th February to enjoy Tomato and Basil Soup, Steak and Ale Pie with Roast and Boiled Potatoes, Carrots, Cabbage, Broccoli and Beans, followed by Jam Sponge and Custard. As usual we were well looked after by Jackie and her staff.  Our Vice President, Bill again chaired proceedings as our President Les is still down under, enjoying warmer weather. There seems to be a draw for our members to this part of the world as we currently have 3 members holidaying in that part of the world. Our Treasurer was somewhat taken aback at his success in the raffle, winning a bottle of wine!!

COFFEE MORNING

25 members and partners attended the February Coffee Morning at the St Neots RUFC. Our President Les was back from Down Under to preside over proceedings.

MARCH

MONTHLY LUNCH (with speaker Anthony Withers)

38 members and partners gathered at our regular venue the St Neots RUFC for the March monthly luncheon on Wednesday 4th March to enjoy Soup, Braised Steak with a selection of seasonal vegetables and potatoes, followed by Apple Crumble and Custard.  Jackie and her crew made sure we were all well fed and looked after.  Moira kept the drinks flowing from the bar.  Lunch was followed by a very interesting talk by our guest speaker Anthony Withers who enlightened us all on the extremely interesting history of Great Staughton and its people.

COFFEE MORNING

29 members and partners attended the March Coffee Morning at the St Neots RUFC, which as a better than expected turnout.  Everyone enjoyed a good natter and catch up over coffee, tea and biscuits.

COMMITTEE LUNCH

The annual Committee Lunch was held in the Bridge House, St Neots. Sadly our numbers were down this year due to various reasons.  At least Les was spared a large bar bill (he was standing the first drink for everyone).  A good lunch and conversation was had by those attending.

APRIL

SPRING CARVERY

42 members and partners attended the Spring Carvery held at the St Neots RUFC on Wednesday 2nd April.  Everyone enjoyed a wonderful spread of Roast Turkey, Beef, Pork and Gammon, accompanied by Cauliflower Cheese, Yorkshire Pudding, and a vast selection of vegetables.  This was followed by the usual array of desserts, including, Black Forest Gateaux, Lemon Meringue, Strawberry Gateaux, Profiteroles and Fresh Fruit Salad.  Jackie and staff looked after everyone handsomely and there were even seconds for those who could manage it. Our President Les brought everyone up to date on our next events before closing proceedings with the toasts.

Below are some pictures

 

COFFEE MORNING

The usual monthly Coffee Morning was held on Wednesday 16th April in the St Neots RUFC with Bill and Jenny on kitchen duties looking after 24 other members and partners.  Everyone had plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits to lubricate the voice boxes for all the chatter that ensued.

PAST PRESIDENTS LUNCH

The annual Past Presidents Lunch was held in the Bridge House, St Neots on 16th April when 10 past Presidents and their partners sat down to a meal from the extensive choice on the menu.  The staff looked after us extremely well and it was good to see Geoff and Rhona make it all the way from Woodall Spa, Roger also managed to get Jill safely seated after arriving in her wheelchair, although some more manoeuvring practice is needed by Roger.  It was a chance for a catch up after the coffee morning and judging by the clean plates, the food was good.

Below are some photos of the event.

MAY

ANNIVERSARY LUNCH

The Club celebrated its 52nd Anniversary with a Lunch on Wednesday 7th May 2024 at the St Neots RFC.  Members and guests sat down to a Smoked Salmon & Prawn Salad with Lemon Dressing to start, followed by Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding with a selection of Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables, this was followed by Fresh Fruit Salad served with Cream, there was just enough space left for the Tea/Coffee and mints. Jackie and her crew looked after everyone extremely well as usual, ensuring that no one went home hungry. It would appear that everyone had a great time.  Roger and Bob produced some wonderful prizes for the raffle, which is always a popular addition to these functions and enables the club to generate some additional funding.

COFFEE MORNING

The usual Monthly Coffee Morning was held in the St Neots RFC on Wednesday 21 May when 20 members and partners sat down to coffee/tea and biscuits served by Lesley and Gillian. It was a chance for all present to catch up with old friends.

IWM DUXFORD VISIT

The planned visit to IWM Duxford took place on Wednesday 28 May 2025, unfortunately there only ended up being 3 people attending.  This however did not stop those from having a great day full of reminiscences about working with or on the various aircraft on display.  The group visited all the aircraft hangars, but did not make it to the land warfare building as time ran out.  It was interesting learning more about the TSR2 and also the work to make the engine intakes on Concorde a world leading design. Our thanks to Albert and Peter for their personal insights into various aspects of the aircraft on display.

Below are some photos from the event.  Hopefully those who did not come will think about supporting any future visit to IWM Duxford, or go on their own for a visit.

JUNE

MONTHLY LUNCH (with speaker Liz St Hill Davies)

Our second luncheon of the year with a speaker took place on Wednesday 4 June 2025 at the St Neots RUFC.  35 members and partners sat down to a prawn cocktail starter, followed by a cold meat salad (ham & chicken) with boiled new potatoes, this was rounded off with large slice of Sarah’s lemon cheesecake. After coffee/tea and mints those attending were treated to a really interesting talk by Liz about the history of St Neots using a number of items to illustrate the various periods of the towns’ history and stories associated with them.  Her knowledge of the local history was extensive, helped in part by her time as the curator of the St Neots Museum. Everyone present thoroughly enjoyed the enthralling talk.  After the final toast it was time to disperse.

COFFEE MORNING

The usual monthly coffee morning was held on Wednesday 18 June 2025 in the St Neots RUFC, where 21 members and partners gathered to enjoy coffee/tea and biscuits, with the chance to catch up on all the local gossip and news.  Those gathered were looked after in the kitchen by Jenny and Elizabeth.

STRAWBERRY TEA

The annual Strawberry Tea event was held on Wednesday 25 June 2025 in the St Neots RUFC where 33 members and partners gathered to enjoy a wonderful spread of sandwiches, quiche, sausage rolls, crisps, assorted sponge cakes and other fancy cakes, followed by fresh strawberries and cream.  Our caterer Jackie and her crew were on hand to ensure those present were kept topped up with food and drink and as ever looked after everyone superbly.  Les our President thanked them for making it such a great event.  Below are some photographs of the event.

JULY

MONTHLY LUNCH

Our July luncheon was held on Wednesday 2nd at the St Neots RUFC in very hot and sultry conditions. Our President Les made the sensible decision to allow members to remove ties and jackets for the lunch, which made it more comfortable for those present.  Jackie and her crew provided us with a lovely meal, consisting of; Melon and Kiwi fruit to start, followed by Gammon with Pineapple and Tomato, Mushrooms, Runner Beans, and Chunky Chips, this was followed by Apple Pie and Ice Cream.  A well balanced meal given the weather conditions.  23 members were present to enjoy the meal. After the dessert the President got all those present to sing happy birthday to Joe who was going to be celebrating his 90th birthday on Sunday 6th July.

Below are a couple of photographs of the luncheon.

POPPY FACTORY VISIT

Our last external social event of this year took place on Wednesday 9th July when 11 made the trip from St Neots to Richmond to visit the Poppy Factory.  They had a very informative visit and had an enjoyable day.

COFFEE MORNING

Our usual monthly Coffee Morning was held in the St Neots RUFC on Wednesday 16th July, when 22 attended the event, looked after by Kathleen and Lesley in the kitchen.  Lesley chose a late raffle ticket which saw her win the prize of a voucher.  There was a slightly shorter gathering this month as the RUFC needed us to be prompt in clearing the premises ready for another event. There was much conversation about the recent Poppy Factory visit as well as the forthcoming Barbecue.

Below is a photographs of the event:

AUGUST

MONTHLY LUNCH

The August monthly luncheon took place on 6th August at our usual venue, the St Neots RUFC, where 23 members and 1 guest sat down to enjoy a starter of Salmon and Prawn salad, followed by Roast Beef salad with new potatoes, this was rounded off with Knickerbocker Glory (the highlight of the meal, judging by the comments). Our President welcomed our guest and brought those present up to date with future events.

Below are some photos of the event – especially the Knickbocker Glory!!

COFFEE MORNING

The August Coffee Morning was held in the St Neots RUFC on Wednesday 20 August where members and partners gathered to enjoy a drink and a biscuit and a chance to chat and catch up with friends.

BBQ

The annual BBQ was held at the St Neots RUFC on Wednesday 27 August.  We were extremely fortunate that Sarah our BBQ chef and our food did not get wet, given that the forecast was for showers for most of the time from midday onwards.  Jackie and her crew provided us with a stunning array of meats, these included: Venison Burgers and Sausages (these were huge and a great hit with everyone), Beef Burgers and Sausages, Chicken breasts, Tandori Chicken legs, Lamb Koftas and Chicken skewers.  All cooked to perfection and thoroughly enjoyed by the 34 members and partners who attended. There was the usual salad accompanyments to help fill the plate even more.  This was followed by a selection of desserts: Strawberries, Profiteroles, Peach and Prosecco Roulade, Apple Pie, Black Forest Gateaux and Lemon Meringue Pie.

It was as usual a wonderful event thanks to the efforts of our caterers once again.

Below are some photos of the occasion:

SEPTEMBER

MONTHLY LUNCH (with speaker Dot Morfett)

Our September Monthly Luncheon was held on Wednesday 3 September in the St Neots RUFC, 27 Members and partners sat down to a starter of Parma Ham and Melon, followed by Salmon and seasonal vegetables, this was finished off with a Raspberry Roulade for dessert.  Sarah was standing in for Jackie (she was away on a well deserved holiday) in the kitchen and along with her staff looked after everyone excellently.  Lunch was followed by a talk by Dot on her life, which was both very interesting, funny in places and riveting, quite a few people were wishing she had said more about some of her exploits. This was a really lovely end to a great luncheon.  Our President updated those present on future events and once the toasts were over everyone dispersed.

Below are a couple of photos from the luncheon.

COFFEE MORNING

OCTOBER

AUTUMN CARVERY

COFFEE MORNING

NOVEMBER

MONTHLY LUNCH

COFFEE MORNING

DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

COFFEE MORNING

 

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