Contents

• Probus History: A brief account of how Probus Clubs began
• Club History: An account of the formation of the Barrs Court Probus Club

Probus History

In 1965, Fred Carnill, a member of the Welwyn Garden City Rotary Club, started a luncheon club and at the first meeting 45 men attended. This club was known as ‘The Campus Club’

The Probus club was conceived by three businessmen travelling to London by train. The three, James Raper, Harold Blanchard and Edward Mockett OBE were reaching the point of retirement realized they had a need for fellowship.

The inaugural luncheon of the first Probus Club in the United Kingdom (by that name) was on the 2 March 1966.

The name “Probus” was suggested by a member who took the first three letters from 'PROfessional and BUSiness'. It had the advantage that it was a Latin word from which 'probity' is derived. The Probus Club of Caterham was met with success, and became known among other Rotary Clubs with new clubs being founded. (see Wikipedia for a fuller version).

Barrs Court Probus Club History

An account of the formation of the Barrs Court Probus Club

Probus clubs generally have a maximum membership (usually driven by the size of their meeting rooms).

Back in 1997 the Longwell Green Probus Club had so many people on the waiting list that they decided to form a new club, which they called the Barrs Court Probus Club.

The Longwell Green Probus Club were incredibly supportive and helped our founder members with such advice and assistance as was needed, such as guidance on club constitution and rules.

In February 1997 a ‘start-up group’ was formed comprising several of the would be Probians who had been on the Longwell Green waiting list.

The group was told that a club would need in excess of 20 recruits if it were to thrive, and so members actively sought to recruit more members. By May 1997 that figure was fast approaching and so a meeting was held at which these founding members launched the Barrs Court Club.

Today the club has around 55 members and, with club rules setting a maximum of 70 members, we do have some vacancies and you are welcome to apply for membership.

Potential new members are invited along to 2 or 3 of our meetings as guests. They have the opportunity to chat with us over coffee, find out more about the club and listen to the speaker of the day, following which they can decide whether they would like to proceed.

For further information or to express interest in joining us, please email us at bcprobusclub@gmail.com