The Probus Club of Hemel Hempstead
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Programme for Meetings 2010
21st January
Stories from the Old Bailey
Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones has for many years held the historic post of “Keeper of the Bailey” and has an unrivalled insight into many of the fascinating and strange stories which have unfolded there. He has encountered many of the people, notorious and illustrious, whose lives have led them through the portals of the world famous Central Criminal Court.
18th February *
Tracing your Ancestors
Felicity Marpole
Tracing your Ancestors
Felicity Marpole
Who do you think you are? Felicity Marpole from Herts Archive and Local History Society will explain how to go about tracing your ancestors but be prepared for the skeleton in the cupboard!
18th March
The Work of Mercy Ships -Ken Brazier
The Work of Mercy Ships -
“Mercy Ships” is an international Christian charity using hospital ships partnered with land based programmes to deliver free transformational health care to the world’s forgotten poor.
15th April
Stone Conservation - Cecil Rhodes
Stone Conservation -
Cecil Rhodes is a leading national expert on stonework and has helped to preserve and restore many fine ancient buildings including the Norman church of St Mary’s in the High Street.
20th May
The Battle of Britain - David Keen
The Battle of Britain -
A welcome return of David Keen from the RAF Museum, Hendon to talk about this landmark event in our history; a timely follow-up to our visit to the control bunker at RAF Uxbridge last year.
17th June *
Samuel Pepys - Dr Robin Gain
Well known for his diaries and his dalliances, Samuel Pepys was also the founder of the modern British navy. Dr Robin Gain has made a special study of this fascinating character.
15th July
The Normandy Landings
Richard Boustred
The Normandy Landings
Richard Boustred
Sixty five years ago Richard Boustred was a nineteen year-old subaltern landing on Gold Beach, part of the greatest armada the world has ever seen.
19th August
John Dickinson Transport - Mike Stanyon
John Dickinson Transport -
Mike Stanyon is a well known local historian and will be giving us an interesting insight into the complex transport network operated by John Dickinson Ltd, for many years Hemel’s largest employer.
16th September *
Rhymes and Reminiscences
Ann Parsons
Rhymes and Reminiscences
Ann Parsons
A welcome return of Ann Parsons who last year told us about her father’s life as the Queen Mother’s butler. Today she is going to jog our memories with some reminders of “the good old days”.
21st October
Annual General Meeting
Gum Poles and Apples - Robin Woodd
Annual General Meeting
Gum Poles and Apples -
Robin, one of our members, worked in civil engineering for Robert McAlpine. During the past few years he has used his professional skills to design and supervise the construction of a number of ‘low tech’ suspension bridges in Transkei which have transformed the lives of the village communities there.
18th November
The Curious Disappearance of
Major Glenn Miller - Tony Eaton
Tony Eaton has been a member of the Glenn Miller Society for fifty years and is presenting a new angle on a wartime mystery. What really happened to the famous American band leader?
16th December *
Christmas Social
The Curious Disappearance of
Major Glenn Miller -
Tony Eaton has been a member of the Glenn Miller Society for fifty years and is presenting a new angle on a wartime mystery. What really happened to the famous American band leader?
16th December *
Christmas Social
* Ladies are invited to meetings marked with and asterisk