Professor takes on new role as Probus Club president

Mr Marks, Emeritus Professor of Applied Plant Science (QUB), received his chain of office from Leonard Sproule, president of the Rotary Club of Newtownabbey, at the club’s November meeting.

Mr Sproule congratulated Prof. Marks on becoming president and said he looks forward to Newtownabbey Probus Club members assisting Rotary in some of its activities aimed at improving the lives of others.

Prof. Marks was formerly Deputy Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Civil Servant in the NI Department of Agriculture until his retirement in 2005. His interests now, aside from Probus, include gardening, painting and working with local charity ‘Hope & A Future’ and ‘Hope365’ on food production projects for impoverished children in Ethiopia.

Following his inauguration, Prof. Marks thanked Mr Sproule on behalf of the club and reminded members of the close and enduring relationship between Rotary and Probus in Newtownabbey, with members of both espousing the common principles of fellowship and community.

Probus clubs are organisations for men and women who have retired from their profession or business and want to maintain a social network with others with similar interests.

Newtownabbey Probus Club was formed in 1979 and meets fortnightly on the first and third Wednesday of each month.