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'Ladies and Gentlemen, what an amazing celebration we had on, 8 April

2026! And, as if to underscore the importance of the day, the brief

arrival of an early summer’s day to boot!

How good to see twenty-nine of us gathered. How good to see our

senior past chairman, Malcolm Howes; to once again enjoy his

laughter, wit and wisdom!

One of the reasons is that it is testimony to this wonderful record of

fifty years - of five decades - all of which came together yesterday in

perfect symphonic harmony. That is no exaggeration. Because many of

us had brought mementos from the distant past, all of which were

beautifully displayed, our singular and collective accomplishments

quietly gaining an extra dimension. One of the things that has always

fascinated me is when I occasionally look at our membership list and

the brief hint of each member’s list of accomplishments, of careers,

and of pastimes.

I choose my words carefully and deliberately when I realise I am in the

presence of highly accomplished friends who, even now, I always learn

much from.

The morning started with coffee and then your Address, Chairman.

And goodness me! You had indeed done your research.

I was thrilled when you let it out the bag that in 1976 our Guest

Speaker Dr Tim Brain, former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire, had

chaired the Aberystwyth University’s University Challenge Team with

Bamber Gascoigne! Well, I almost fell off my chair!! I’ve always loved

this series and it is a red-letter day if I manage to get even one correct

answer an episode!! That rarely happens.

You then made very gracious and warm comments, Chairman, upon

the officers present and past and the membership in general and I

sensed the pride, perhaps surprise even, among some younger

members as they found themselves looking at their Club across the

landscape of fifty years.

Thank you, Chairman. You are steering us well through what

internationally I sometimes feel is akin to our parents’ and

grandparents’ 1937-1939 annus horribilis!

You then very kindly invited the Secretary to tell us a little more about

our Club and our History.

This was an eye-opener as Paul took us to cruising height over land

and sea scape of fifty years. The names of so many past illustrious

members, some of whom I had the privilege to meet before they quietly

looked to the future and took that Quantum Leap.

And both you and Paul reminded us, Alex, that the central office is

that of the Speakers Secretary. And it is indeed right and proper that

we have been reminded of the work required by our Speakers

Secretary Trevor Picton (and I always say behind the scenes, Mary) as

too Trevor’s predecessor Geoffrey Harmsworth (and Margaret).

This task is truly immense. Again, the adjective is deliberate. Every

week, I drive home with a hundred new facts buzzing around in my

head… well, I never knew that, and this, and that too!

We arrive each week and everything is in place and coffee and tea and

biscuits await. And until fairly recently I had not realised the work

performed by our stewards guided by our Chief Steward Marcus

Dann.

And the Buffet Lunch yesterday was, for me, par excellence! Thank

you indeed Marcus, Russell and George. Marcus, Russell, you struck

gold yesterday!

It is important to mention our Secretary and Treasurer from a

personal perspective, and in this regard, I speak as a past chairman.

The Secretary was the person I frequently turned to, to run ideas by,

to obtain wise counsel and advice when I was contemplating some

matter I was thinking of dealing with, some decision that might be

slightly controversial.

Quite a friendship emanated from this, as we find, all of us, in our

wide and varied careers when we enjoy working with a colleague or

team.

And in my case, I can recall many amusing moments.

I tend to steer clear of all male establishments, and it thrills me that

Cheltenham Regency Probus does indeed have ladies and gentlemen

as full members. I always take the view that in considering invitations

to become a vice chair, we must never look at gender. It makes not

one iota of difference. In my four careers, I have been privileged to

work with managers, directors, and commanders of both genders, and

I have learned much and benefited greatly.

I mentioned our guest speaker Dr Brain. How wonderful that Tim gave

a Presentation that enabled us all to consider the twelve months of

1976. Many laughs and good humour followed. We were reminded of

great people that once occupied centre stage in national and

international events. We saw the development of all of us as a people

and nation. We even had a robust conversation about the weather

which is always a good barometer of the British national character!

I have mentioned the wonderful buffet and this was crowned by the

beautiful anniversary cake made by Jean, our friend and the wife of

Brian Smith one of our past chairmen and former social secretary.

And the honour of cutting the cake fell to our senior past chairman

and Honorary Member, Malcolm.

Not a lot remains of the cake! It was exactly what was needed to end

the beautiful buffet.

Chairman, I close by expressing my thanks also to Russell Buley for

giving the Vote of Thanks and which brought great humour and

delight to us all, and of course to Tim.

I thank you also Alex and all of the officers of the committee for the

very hard work that has been done in celebrating our Fiftieth

Anniversary. What a wonderful history we have.

Let us now look forward to building a firm foundation upon which the

next five decades can rest. There is no reason why we cannot achieve

this'.

Kenneth Webb

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