History

A brief history of the Mens Lunch club is followed by some noteworthy dates and events.

Summary

  • The Club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ascot and preparatory work on the formation of a Probus Club was undertaken by Rotary members, with an initial meeting taking place at the Berystede Hotel on 26 January 1987.  A list bearing that date gives the names of 30 Foundation Members.
  • The inaugural meeting of the Club was held on 23 February 1987 at the Berystede, when 26 of the Foundation Members attended.  Under the chairmanship of Leo Budd many aspects of the Club, including its Constitution, Rules and outline of activities were discussed and agreed.
  • On Monday 23 March 1987 the first AGM of The Probus Club of Ascot was held.    Those present were 23 of those who had attended the inaugural meeting and a further 5 prospective members.  The meeting gave formal approval to a Constitution and Rules and accepted the inaugural meeting’s recommendations on officers.
  • Originally, the limit on membership was 40, but this was quickly raised to 60 in the following year and increased further to 70 in 1990.    Full membership of 70 was achieved and a waiting list was necessary at times during 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2011 and 2012.
  • Various social functions were organized, including a Valentines Day Dinner & Dance at the Berystede in 1992. 
  • At the time of the 100th meeting in June 1995, 14 of the original 30 Foundation members remained, one of whom had attended all 100 meetings.
  • The Club moved its meetings to Englemere in 1996 and remained there until 2013.
  • The Club celebrated its 25th anniversary on 27 February 2012, the anniversary of the inaugural meeting in 1987.  Membership was full at 71 (included 1 Honorary member) with a short waiting list.  Only one of the original Foundation Members, Trevor Lewis, remained a member of the Club.
  • Decision made at 2012 AGM to increase subscribing membership from 70 to 80.
  • Moved to Sunningdale Park in January 2014, as Englemere was to close.
  • Moved to Royal Ascot Golf Club in April 2015 following Sunningdale Park changes.
  • Total membership reduced back to 70 at the 2018 AGM, as suitable venues with adequate capacity were proving difficult to find.
  • Moved to Windlesham Golf Club in May 2018, as RAGC became uncooperative regarding availability of the larger room to accommodate our growing attendance numbers.
  • Moved to Mill Ride Golf Club in April 2022 as a result of increasing lunch cost.

Noteworthy Dates and Events

1987
Club born out of the Rotary Club of Ascot.  Conceptual discussions took place on 26 January with 30 Foundation Members.  The inaugural meeting was held on 23 February 1987 at the Berystede Hotel with 28 present.  It was followed by an AGM held on 23 March 1987 under the Presidency of Leo Budd and Cyril Long as Honorary Secretary.  By the end of the first year in March 1988 there were 55 members.  The joining fee was £5, the annual subscription was £5 and the lunch charge was £6-50.

1988
First Garden Party held in the garden of Jack Howell, a Foundation Member.

1992
Garden Party held at Nutfield, home of Peter Rennie.

1995
Celebration at the Berystede Hotel of the 100th luncheon meeting in June.

1997
Wilf Crossland elected Honorary Secretary.  Subscription fee increased to £10.

1999
In March the Club gave Honorary Life Membership to Cyril Long for his outstanding service to the Club as Honorary Secretary for 10 years since its founding and for a further 2 years as Vice President and then President.  He had maintained a 100% attendance record.

2000
Gordon Anderson elected Honorary Secretary.

2003
Annual subscription raised from £10 to £15, joining fee unchanged at £10.
A Special General Meeting held in June amended the Club’s Constitution and Rules to have 3 “ordinary” members serving on the Committee. 

2007
Special lunch to mark the Club’s 20th anniversary held on 26 February.
No Garden Party held for only the second time since they commenced in 1988.

2012
Club’s 25th anniversary marked with a special lunch on 27 February.
Very successful Summer Lunch Party held on 9 July in marquee at Mill Ride Golf Club.

2013
Christmas Lunch held at Stirrups Hotel.

2014
Club moved to Sunningdale Park with first meeting on 27 January.  Lunch charge £15. Annual Subscription and Joining Fee raised to £20 and £15 respectively at March AGM.

2015
Move to Royal Ascot Golf Club effective 27 April.  Lunch charge £15 for waiter service. 

2017
Club’s 30th anniversary in February. 

2018
Move to Windlesham in May – lunch charge £16.50 for waiter service.
At the AGM in March Gordon Anderson was awarded Honorary Life Membership for his outstanding service to the Club as Honorary Secretary since 2000.

2022

In March the club moved venue to Mill Ride Golf Club for financial reasons. Lunch now cost £18.00.

PROBUS is derived from the words PROfessional and BUSiness.

The Latin word probus means generous, good, upright.