Written by Graham Jackson
ITCHEN VALLEY PROBUS CLUB PART 2
In the first of this short series of articles about Probus, I looked primarily at the origins of the worldwide movement, and touched on Itchen Valley Probus Club (IVPC). This time I look at the creation of IVPC and track it through to 2025. The final article will look at 2026 and beyond for IVPC.
In August 1988 the President of the Rotary Club of Itchen Valley felt there may be a need for another Probus Club in this area. His feeling was based on the successful promotion and subsequent establishment of a new Club in Alresford, and the knowledge that the existing Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford Probus Club had 60 members, and a waiting list.
So, Rotary members promoted a new Club with the first event held on 16th February 1989 at The Concorde Club. Six people attended but, undaunted, Rotary members soldiered on and organised the first lunch on Thursday 16th March, also at the Concorde. Twenty people attended, clearly enjoyed the experience and the Club was up and running. Monthly lunches continued and by the end of the year there was a regular attendance of 23. A structure was quickly put in place and a committee of six chosen to run the Club.
Given there was already a locally named Probus Club, the Committee decided that the new Club should take the name of its Rotary Club sponsors, and Itchen Valley Probus Club came into being. A constitution was created, funding plans agreed, and a determination made that the monthly luncheons would be held on the second Thursday of every month. They still are. Some traditions are good to uphold.
The lunches continued at The Concorde for a while then ultimately moved to The Kings Court Centre in Chandlers Ford. It was at the Centre that IVPC members enjoyed the unique cooking talents of chef Charles. He ran the nearby Kings Court Restaurant but cooked also for clients of the Centre. IVPC members of a certain age still speak of Charles’ portion sizes, which always looked enough for a small family. His pork steaks became legend within the Club!
There were many memorable meals at The Kings Court Centre, which twice a year hosted joint lunches where members and their partners enjoyed the hospitality. These were always well supported events, on occasions approaching 100 guests cosily filling the luncheon room.
On 10th April 2014 the Club celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an unforgettable lunch where the guest of honour, who royally entertained the members, was Lawrie McMenemy MBE MA. Lawrie had been a guest and spoken at the Club before, so it was a most welcome return by him on an auspicious occasion for the Club.
But all good things came to an end when Charles closed his restaurant, and subsequently stopped cooking for Centre clients. Whilst there was sadness amongst members, there was a grudging acceptance that Charles was entitled to retire. No one knew his age, but it was believed to be not unadjacent to 80!
A change of lunch venue followed for IVPC and, after trying one or two options the new venue for the Club was settled in 2018 at Eastleigh Football Club. Many lunches have subsequently been enjoyed at this very special venue, which has also hosted a series of joint lunches for members and their partners.
Most of the regular member lunches are accompanied by an eclectic collection of speakers covering subjects as varied as ‘A brief view of the Universe’, ‘Music of the Muppet Show’, ‘Commoning in the New Forest’ and ‘Building Spitfires without a Factory’. One memorable talk was delivered by Steve Herra. His subject was the Titanic Disaster.
Throughout recent years IVPC Members and their guests have also enjoyed a series of visits to places of interest. Some were local, including Winchester Cathedral and Bursledon Brickworks, some less so, including Arundel Castle, RNLI Poole and the Kennet and Avon Canal. Regular theatre visits, skittles, quizzes and an occasional lunch at The Royal Winchester Golf Club are amongst the other varied activities enjoyed by members.
IVPC seeks new members and any retired or semi-retired businessman interested can see more about the Club at www.probusonline.org/itchen-valley/. Contact with the Club can be made through the website, with prospective new members welcome through invitation to join us at one of our lunch meetings. IVPC fully believes in the Probus principle of fellowship, and anyone joining, or visiting the Club would be made most welcome.
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