Probus marks 40th anniversary

A meeting was held in the Woodlands Hotel in Lisburn in February 1975. At the meeting, a group of members of the local Rotary Club decided to set up a Probus Club in Lisburn. Since 1975, the club has flourished and has held weekly meetings of its members. Lisburn Probus is the fourth oldest of the 69 Probus clubs in NI.

As part of the club’s celebration of their founding in 1975, an anniversary lunch was held recently in Lisburn Golf Club. Amongst the guests at the lunch were Mrs Joan Christie, Lord Lieutenant, Councillor Thomas Beckett, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, and the Captain of Lisburn Golf Club, John Boyd and his wife , Amy.

President of Lisburn Probus Club, Fred Hall, referred to the Club’s lengthy history and to the service and contribution of members. He highlighted links with the Rotary Club of Lisburn and with Lisburn Golf Club. He aid; “We owe our foundation to Rotary and we have received tremendous support from Lisburn Golf Club.” He thanked the members of the Probus Committee for their efforts in making arrangements for the 40th anniversary.

At the end of an excellent lunch, the President invited Bill Irvine and Colin Doak, who have the longest membership of Lisburn Probus, to cut an anniversary cake.

The Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett, in his speech congratulated the Probus Club on reaching their 40th year.

He thanked members of Probus for their present and past involvement in the local community and he passed on his best wishes for continued success as a club.

A plaque was presented to Lisburn Golf Club Captain, John Boyd, in appreciation of their support over 40 years. The Captain extended best wishes in reply.

The main speaker at the lunch was Joan Christie, Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim. In her address, Mrs Christie gave an insight into the varied duties attached to her role as Lord Lieutenant.

Those present were kept entertained and informed as she recounted experiences at some of the many high profile events she has attended in the course of her duties.

Proceedings ended with the distribution to guests of a brochure, compiled as a reminder of this anniversary.

Probus Club’s anniversary events continue with a church service to be held in Eglantine Parish Church on 20th September 2015 at 3.00pm.