Cannock & District Ladies Probus Club - an unprecedented AGM
Easing their way into the business, a two-course meal was enjoyed in a warm pleasant atmosphere in Chase Golf & Country Club. Relaxed after Homemade Beef Bourguignon, Salmon Wellington, or Mediterranean veg cous cous, before delicious sweets, those present took part in an unprecedented meeting when Anne Bumford, Chairman of Cannock and District Ladies Probus Club, was voted into office for her fifth year.
This unprecedented number of years served have been equally unusual, in their tenure of service required, during Chairman Anne’s role with the Club. Her initiation was to hold one meeting at the Golf Club, before lockdown took over and affected all our lives.
Amongst the new language and way of life, Zoom came to be the ‘new normal’ enabling meetings to continue. Letters to those less technically minded retained contact and Newsletters were introduced to the club to maintain interest. Returning to face-to-face meetings the Chain of Office was taken over by Sheila Smith before Anne, after overseeing the difficult times during Covid, became Chairman again.
1 February 2024, handing over office, Anne was to relinquish the regalia but the incoming Chairman and Vice were both absent due to other commitments. So, instead she was thanked as outgoing Chair by one of her committee members, Alison Cardy. Agreeing to be co-chair, Anne continued to run the club successfully, bringing fun and variety over the months but needed to accept the position of full chairman, following the resignation of the new incumbents, due to their family concerns. Agreeing to continue as Chairman at this year’s AGM, a relatively normal year should follow, as a full committee can give support, with Chris Ballett taking the reins as Vice Chairman.
Anne was presented with an Azalea Standard plant, by way of appreciation from the club for her time, effort and outstanding commitment demonstrated to the club. After welcoming the new committee members, a short business meeting followed which includes birthdays of the month. Paul James Fowler was also sung to and formal thanks were given to him and his staff. However, appreciation was singled out to him and formally recorded, because it is felt he goes ‘above and beyond’ to give hospitality to the club.
The outgoing Committee Members were given gifts from Anne for their support and we look forward to an eventful year with speakers, crafts, quizzes and outings on the agenda. Concluding with Chairman’s Cheer, Pauls Present and Thought for the Day; we look forward to March Speaker Kevin Reynolds (Love and War) How we create our Garden Birds.
Retired or semi-retired, professional or business ladies meet on the first Thursday each month at Chase Golf Club at 12 noon, to share meal, fellowship and speakers with outings and other activities. New members are welcome. Annual membership is still only £16 and two course lunch £22. For further information contact Membership Secretary, Barbara on 01889 882166 or Chairman Anne 01922 418037.
