ANNALS OF THE PROBUS CLUB OF LUDLOW 2023
24th January 2023 Travel in another time – pre internet
Bettine Selby
Over the years Ludlow Probus Club has listened so many remarkable talks and Bettine’s account of her cycling travels was certainly in such a category. She described herself as a born traveller, but spent her early life in south London, marrying young, having three children and going to university later than customary. Travelling to Goldsmith College with constant delays led to adopt cycling as her preferred means of travel.
By the 1980’s she felt it was time to go and see some of the far flung areas of the world, her first major journey was to Kathmandu via plane to Karachi the onward by bicycle. Over the next fifteen years or so Bettine undertook further visits to India, the Middle East and Africa, each journey was on a custom built Evans cycle. She was driven by her determination to meet ordinary people and learn about their history. She picked out a journey from the Nile delta to that rivers source in South Sudan as especially memorable. Often staying in the homes of people such as aid workers, missionaries and fellow travellers led her to developing a view of travel which enabled her to write several books about her experiences, many of which are still obtainable. Bettine clearly feels that her writings represent what she has achieved with a major part of her life. Needless to say, she continues to cycle, but now using an e-bike in deference to the Shropshire hills!
She related her story without notes or illustrations and spoke for about forty minutes, before inviting questions
Michael Haines
Bettine Selby
Over the years Ludlow Probus Club has listened so many remarkable talks and Bettine’s account of her cycling travels was certainly in such a category. She described herself as a born traveller, but spent her early life in south London, marrying young, having three children and going to university later than customary. Travelling to Goldsmith College with constant delays led to adopt cycling as her preferred means of travel.
By the 1980’s she felt it was time to go and see some of the far flung areas of the world, her first major journey was to Kathmandu via plane to Karachi the onward by bicycle. Over the next fifteen years or so Bettine undertook further visits to India, the Middle East and Africa, each journey was on a custom built Evans cycle. She was driven by her determination to meet ordinary people and learn about their history. She picked out a journey from the Nile delta to that rivers source in South Sudan as especially memorable. Often staying in the homes of people such as aid workers, missionaries and fellow travellers led her to developing a view of travel which enabled her to write several books about her experiences, many of which are still obtainable. Bettine clearly feels that her writings represent what she has achieved with a major part of her life. Needless to say, she continues to cycle, but now using an e-bike in deference to the Shropshire hills!
She related her story without notes or illustrations and spoke for about forty minutes, before inviting questions
Michael Haines
7th February 2023 The Middle East Beyond Oil
Paul Serrell-Cooke
Paul briefly explaining his background joining the RAF rather than going to university, then subsequently being asked to study for an MA in Defence Studies. Shortly after starting his course the terrorist attacks of 11th September 2001 on the Twin Towers and Pentagon, concentrated everybody’s minds on their studies.
He decided to focus on Middle East oil production for his course essay. His tutor introduced him to a novel: “The Camp of the Saints” by Jean Raspail, which paints a ‘doomsday scenario’ of the possible effects following globalisation and mass migration of millions from Asia and Africa into Europe – causing the consequential collapse of Western political, economic and societal structure.
With the aid of copious detailed charts, he described how oil fuelled the Middle East from its discovery in Iran in 1908 to where both it and the Gulf States have developed too now. The region is significant for both trade and communications.
The Suez Canal has increased that importance hugely, plus major international air routes transiting the region with important node airports of Dubai and Bahrain. European nations view this area as strategically vital to their own interests.
The growing populations of adherents to Islam not just within this region and throughout the world is not without significance. Some factions of the faith considered historic Western intervention in the region have undermined the core values of Islam. This has potential repercussions not only for the West, but also for the Gulf State regimes which rely on their Western connections for survival and legitimacy. Western military presence in the wider region continues to this day. Traditional, tribal and family societies of the Middle East, through oil, have also given way to more central power by the regimes that rule various states. Adjustment to rapid urbanisation from formerly largely pastoral societies in a very short time is ongoing. Attempts by the regimes to modernise their countries and support their growing populations in a rapidly changing world are experiencing varying degrees of success, but the role of Islam in political decision-making is omni-present, certain personal freedoms have often been suppressed by the state. With tradition, economics, attitudes to the West, and religion in the mix, the regimes are still needing to provide the requisite infrastructure for this growth.
A future where oil is no longer the driving force for the region - due both to either supply waning, or reduced demand due to alternative energies becoming more available - is already fact.
With the tradition of employing vast numbers of migrants for many jobs, the area is seen to be in a relatively weak economic position going forward. Yet as Paul reminded us, spending on conventional defence per capita is higher in the Middle East than anywhere else.
He concluded by saying that fortunately most regimes in the Middle East view WMD proliferation as a destabilising factor. While Israel remains silent over its own nuclear situation, some Arab countries have nevertheless been attempting to obtain a nuclear capability for years. The West’s concern over WMD therefore remains valid given the fragility of regional regimes and fundamentalist groups.
Paul Hayward
21st March 2023 Of Mousetraps and Men
Barry Treves
“Invent a better mousetrap, and the whole world will beat a path to your door”. This saying is well known, but Barry’s talk about his work as a patent attorney made it clear that things are not quite so simple, and also that patents can apply not only to gadgets but also, among others, to plants, copyrights, trademarks and registered designs. There is no such thing as a worldwide patent. Each country has its own patent laws and a patent application must be filed in each country in which the applicant wishes it to apply. Patent/copyright laws first appeared in the time of Elizabeth I and by early Victorian times were so complex and open to corruption by officials that Charles Dickens wrote “A Poor Man’s Tale of a Patent” (1850) to publicise and lampoon the system. Things have since got better, probably starting with the Paris Convention on Copyright (1881) and then progressing through various acts such as the Patents Act (1949), Copyright Act (1956). International attempts include the European Patents Convention (1977) which involves 38 States and the Patent Co-operation treaty (1978) involving 156 States.
The job of the Patent agent/attorney is to advise clients whether they have a valid case for a patent and how to best present it. Each application must be in two parts; - a description of the invention and a description of the particular part to be patented. The attorney is only qualified to work in one Country and so must have contacts to apply for patents on their behalf in other countries. Patents last for a limited time (20 years), but can be extended for an additional fee, which gets more expensive as time progresses.
Jim Oakley
21st February Shropshire canals
David Fletcher
David is a member of the Inland Waterways Association, a national canal charity. Another body, the Canal and River Trust, previously British Waterways, is another similar charity. David has owned his own 70 ft long narrowboat, the ‘Water Aven's’ for more than 40 years.
He showed a map of the UK canal system, including navigable rivers, mainly built in the 1700s and 1800s. Most of the system is non-tidal and consists of canals and rivers which have been made navigable. At present there are approximately 3000 miles of fully navigable inland waters in England and Wales, about 300 miles of which are tidal.
Narrowboat and barges were pulled by horses until after the Second World War and were ‘legged’ through the tunnels. Ships could not navigate the rivers so goods were transferred to smaller boats such as a Trow, About 60 feet long and 14 foot wide.
The canals were dug by hand by navvies. Many canals were designed by Brindley Such as the Droitwich Canal in 1768 and later the Bridgewater Canal. He also designed the Trent and Mersey Canal in 1766 which was the biggest civil engineering project in England seen at that time. His ‘Great Cross’ was built in 1776. Later Telford designed and built many canals. His designs differed from those of Brindley being straight wherever possible, whereas Brindley's canals tended to follow the contours. Most canals were built in small sections for special commercial purposes and needed an Act of Parliament to authorise them.
David showed an interesting ‘underground railway’ type map of the canal network and talked about many of the individual canals.
In 1946 Tom Rolt started the Inland Waterways Association. He campaigned for the restoration of several canals, his first success being the Llangollen canal. He also wrote several books on the subject.
David’s talk ended by showing many sides of canals, some in use, others completely derelict and others being restored.
Bernard North
4th April 2023 Plastics
Frank Baker
One of our members gave us a very useful presentation on plastics. It was a straightforward but very worthwhile presentation on a modern product that has so many uses yet is much maligned for its long-term effects on the environment. It’s basic long chain hydrocarbon chain structure and bonding gives it remarkable versatility, which we fully exploit. Everyone uses plastics in some form or another. Plastics ability to bond together both chemically and physically in many ways provides the opportunity to hot press and extrude them through multitude of various dies, producing, tubes, pipes, insulation for electric cables, flat sheet, ribbons, bags, food wrapping and containers, foam insulation, moulded products, clothing fibres, hard and soft glues and adhesives to name a few.
Most plastics are very durable which is good for us but may not be so good for our environment. We are constantly and quite rightly bombarded, with bad press and pictures of animals’ stomachs full of our plastic waste We all must reduce, reuse and recycle our plastic. We all share the most important function of recycling by sorting our home use of plastic so that it can be recycled. Frank, in his presentation took us through the PET recycling classification. PET numbers 1-7 indicate the origin and nature of the plastic and its ability to be recycled. We are dependent upon some use of plastic, but we must get the balance right between essential use and our vital role in the recycling.
If you are a retired businessman or woman why not become a member and dip into the active pool of knowledge, experience and wisdom of our members? At our meetings there are a total of over 2,000 years of experience practice and knowledge, which is freely shared and awaits your input and participation. Check us out -www.ludlowprobusclub.weebly.com
Kit Smith
2nd May 2023 ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’
Paul Hayward
This advertising slogan for Audi cars is more than 50 years old. It translates as ,’advance through technology.’ Short clips from television comedy programmes showed it to be very embedded in our consciousness’s.
The talk that followed was about the complexities of the German language and proved to be a challenging journey for many of us who had no previous knowledge of the language. Some present did have varying abilities ranging from lecturing to limited fluency .
Paul showed samples of text which revealed that all nouns have a capital letter. There are 3 genders and four cases used. Further explanations revealed many more challenges to comprehend. Paul did enquire after this if members ‘were losing the will to live!’
The complexities of the language may explain why German is spoken in very few countries even within Europe. Also perhaps. why many Germans speak English so well.
Paul claims not to be a fluent speaker of German. He spent a considerable time as a student at the British Forces School in Wilhemshaven. This has led to him being mistaken for a native German whilst talking to staff at ski resorts. He has studied and passed exams in German too.
Members found this talk humorous and revealing about a language that few present have spoken. Paul is to be congratulated for a talk that made members grateful for the English language,
A Vote of Thanks was made by Mike Reid.
Martin Thomas
l19th April 2023 Spring Lunch
On Wednesday the 19th the Probus Club of Ludlow held its annual Spring Lunch at the Charlton Arms Hotel.
The forty-two of us members and guests had a very enjoyable meal in convivial surroundings seated in the dining room overlooking the river Teme.
See photographs.
Clayton Lee
On Wednesday the 19th the Probus Club of Ludlow held its annual Spring Lunch at the Charlton Arms Hotel.
The forty-two of us members and guests had a very enjoyable meal in convivial surroundings seated in the dining room overlooking the river Teme.
See photographs.
Clayton Lee
16th May 2023 Carpet Collapse to Clarion Call
Jim Reynolds
The meaning of the title became clear as Jim related stories from his career as a sales manager in the carpet industry starting in the mid 1960s to his present role as editor of the Cleobury Mortimer Clarion magazine. Always in the background was his interest in cars and motorbikes.
His carpet selling career started, perhaps ominously on April 1st, 1965, as on the first day on the road was brought to a halt when was involved in a crash, requiring a new car and set of Lambtex rugs. His employer J.L.Tankard Ltd was not good at keeping delivery promises, as the company representative he got the flak from customers.
He then became Sales manager for Bolton Carpets and had to completely organise a Sales and Sales support department. When successfully running the company suffered the fate of many companies at the time and was bought by a much larger organisation which eventually meant a move to Kidderminster, then the heart of British carpet manufacture.
We heard how Jim found an industry that was complacent, making the products they expected the customers to buy them rather than finding out what the customers wanted.
Driven by the decline of the Kidderminster industry Jim decided to go self-employed and pursue his interest in motor cycling through the writing of articles and books on the subject. Stating that this bold decision was only made possible by the moral and financial support of his late wife, a teacher, allowed him to become an established writer.
The Liechtensteiner motor cyclist Max Heidegger became a valued contact, a friend and his articles were published widely both sides of the Atlantic; they were also involved in local charity and the resolution of interesting restoration contract disputes. Jim’s first book was about the British motorcycle company Norton.
In the 2000s Jim joined the Cleobury parish council but found his true vocation in running the Clarion which now has print runs of over 1000 copies.
The lesson of Jim’s talk and of his varied career is ‘if you undertake any business role, do it seriously and keep your promises’.
Tony Martyr
30th May 2023 The Fascination of Heraldry
Hugh Wood
It was a pleasure to hear Hugh give such an engaging presentation by a keen enthusiast who steers clear of jargon.
Heraldry dates back to the mid-12th century when Coats of Arms were used to identify the knights in armour in tournaments. The term “Coat of Arms” refers to the shield, not to be confused with “Crest”, which refers to the helmet. They have to be granted (these days by the College of Heralds) so the “Coats of Arms” based on one’s family name sold at various “heritage” venues are meaningless.
Only the male head of the family can use the granted Arms, other involved parties have to create modified versions (differencing), this may be related to the old feudal hierarchical system of land “ownership”, or within a given family cadency differences identify the pecking order of siblings and sons.
Women could use the Arms of the head of the household but whereas the Coats of Arms could be passed from father to first surviving male heir, women could not pass their Arms on UNLESS there were no male heirs. In which case they known as “heraldic heiresses” and could then use the family Coat of Arms and pass it on.
Cash for honours is not new! In 1611 King James introduced a new rank of honours below the peerage. This was the Baronetcy which can be passed down the line. These were available for £1000! One nouveau riche knight in Ludlow married an heraldic heiress with a VERY impressive family tree and Coat of Arms. Feeling embarrassed by his lack of Arms he petitioned the College and, for a (not inconsiderable) sum, had an imposing looking, if meaningless, Coat of Arms to set beside his wife’s when their Arms were Impaled”(amalgamated). The well-heeled can to this day request a Coat of Arms be granted.
The talk concluded with a description of “funeral hatchings” often displayed in local churches. These lozenge shaped devices can tell the initiated observer much about the deceased, their sex, social rank and importance, how many times married and if survived by their spouse.
A visit to an old church or family seat will never be the same!
Mike Read
13th June 2023 Billy Ruffin
Paul Serrell-Cooke
Paul explained that ‘Billy Ruffin’ was the nickname given HMS Bellerophon by the sailors. His interest is due to family folk lore that has a ancestor of his was the captain. Researching the genealogy is proving difficult due to a marriage in India.
She was built across the river from Chatham Dock Yard by Mr Nicholson from sturdy English oak, had two main decks with 74 guns. Launched in 1786 at a cost of £30k and was in service for 54 years.
Her first engagement was in May1794 with the Channel Fleet that intercepted a French Convoy in the Atlantic. She was the first into action as the 110-gun Revolutionnaire dropped back to block her. Badly damaged she drifted clear of the fight, returning the following morning and sustaining further damage. The skirmish was broken of due to bad weather for two days. When she took part in the decisive action known as the ‘Glorious First of June’.
Returning to Portsmouth for repairs, before rejoining the Fleet patrolling the Western Approaches.
On August the 1st 1798, the Fleet under Admiral Nelson spotted the French Fleet at anchor in Abu Qir Bay off Alexandria in a strong defensive position. Nelson orders a night attack. As the battle commenced Bellerophon was the eighth ship in the line and turned to the French centre but due to error or the anchor dragging she was in a precarious position, out gunned by the larger Orient who inflicted considerable damage. With the Captain wounded and the 1st,2nd,4th and 5th lieutenants either wounded or dead briefly leaving the 13-year-old midshipman John Hindmarsh as the senior officer on deck. He ordered the anchor cable cut and the spritsail hoisted but the strain caused the foremast to collapse. The battle rage throughout the night with a decisive British victory that became known as the ‘Battle of the Nile’.
The combined French and Spanish fleets were observed on the 19th October 1805 putting to sea towards the Straights of Gibraltar, the British fleet in pursuit.
At 11am mid shipman John Franklin sees Nelson’s signal ‘England expects that every man will do his duty’. By 12.30 the Bellerophon has entered the battle, slipping under the stern of the Spanish 74-gun Monarca firing two broadsides into her. She then collides with the French 74-gun Aigle causing their entanglement. At close range broadsides are fire and musket fire swept the decks, Captain Cooke is killed. The ensign shot away three times when Christopher Beaty climbed the mizzen to secure a large Union Jack. After hand to hand fighting at 1.40 the Aigle lowers her gun ports and moved off, the Monarca had struck her colours. Officers were dispatched to take possession of her. By 5pm the Bellerophon had ceased firing and sent a boat to claim the Bahama who had also struck her colours.
Following the French defeat at Waterloo Napoleon surrendered to Captain Maitland on the 15th July 1815 on the Bellerophon requesting political asylum.
He was transported from Rochefort via Brixton to Plymouth aboard the Bellerophon there transferred to HMS Northumberland who conveyed him into exile on St Helena where he resided at Longwood House until he deid on the 5th May 1821.
After being laid up, then refitted she spent her twilight years as a prison ship before being sold for £4030 to a Plymouth Ship Breaker.
Clayton Lee
27th June 2023 The Tale of John’s Granny
Michael Read
Michael used to live in a village near Gloucester where he became friendly with John who had spent his working life as an engineer for Rolls Royce. At a works open day with John, he heard him make a reference to the famous Rolls Royce mascot on the car’s radiator saying, ‘that is my granny’.
Overtime Michael learned the model for the mascot was John’s grandmother. Hence today’s tale, which stretches back over 100 years.
In 1909 Baron Montagu of Beaulieu bought a Rolls Royce and commissioned an artist’ Charles Sykes, to create a mascot for him.
Sykes had won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London where he developed a range of skills including sculpture and casting in gold, silver and bronze.
The model for this commission was a women named Eleanor Thornton. He also went on to illustrate lavish brochures for Rolls Royce and to create mascots for all of the cars until he retired in 1928.
Eleanor Thornton now becomes the feature of the story. Born Nelly Thornton in 1881 in London she started with secretarial work for the ‘Automobile Club of Great Britain’, before moving in 1902 to ‘The Car Illustrated’ whose editor was John Scott Montagu. Earlier in her career she had assumed the name Eleanor Velesco Thornton.
In 1903 she gave birth to the editor’s daughter and made the difficult decision to have the baby Joan Eleanor adopted, having no further contact with her.
When in 1905 1st Baron died John became head of the Montagu of Beaulieu family and she continued as his personal assistant.
Baron Montagu resumed his military career in 1914, being appointed to run the railways in India. They were aboard the P & O liner SS Persia when she was sunk by a German U Boat in 1914, he survived but Eleanor perished. A memorial tablet to her devoted service and his miraculous escape was erected in the chapel at Beaulieu.
Baron Montagu died from pneumonia in 1929, at the reading of his will the family finally became aware of the daughter he had with Eleanor. He had met Joan Eleanor on several occasions and made provisions for her in his will. Joan was accepted as a family member in accordance with his wishes.
Joan married in 1936, had two sons, John and Richard. Both boys have the middle name Thornton in memory of their grandmother. The family have continued to extend the recognition to the two boys to this day, inviting them to family reunions and other events.
The SS Persia lies at 3000 metres, one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean, in 2004 a salvage was undertaken. Many of the ship’s artefacts were brought back to the surface, and some of these are on display at a permanent exhibition at Beaulieu’s Maritime Museum at Bucklers Hard, which opened on May 19th, 2008. Eleanor’s grandsons, John and Richard were special guests.
Our thanks to Michael, who clearly spent much time in researching his ‘tale’, including photographing some fifteen slides, which included ‘granny’
Michael Haines
11th July 2023 The Wind Beneath my Wings
Ed Humphries
Ed explained he’s ‘just an enthusiast’ with over 30 years in gliding, having ‘graduated’ from a former passion, boating and water-skiing. He had seen gliders soaring over the Brecon Beacons and following medical advice to pursue fewer physical activities he sold his boat and water skis and joined the Midland Gliding Club base on the Long Mynd.
Started flying, going on to buy a 1/8 share in a glider.
Ed explained how - through historical reasons - Germany came to be pre-eminent in building gliders, such as the 2-seater “Duo Diskus”.
He joined a 4-man team in such a glider and entered a competition called “Euroglide”, held every 2 years covering 2000km – 3000km gliding in a race across Europe from its Eindhoven base in the Netherlands. In 2004 42 gliders participated took part and were equipped with GPS etc. to allow tracking by their back-up team. On this trip, the German Hartz mountains needed crossing, due to prevailing air conditions his glider unfortunately had to land prematurely – in an asparagus field! Ed regaled us with the amusing events which followed: two friendly girls appearing (having witnessed and reported the landing), then a local policeman, plus as a reporter expecting to see a crash site! Both pilots were taken to a nearby police station and eventually released.
Some modern gliders DO have small engines! with propellers to give a little extra range and/or lift, but some have small jet engines. Gliding is permissible up to about 30,000 ft - which is then commercial airspace territory. The higher one flies, the lower the air temperature and oxygen also becomes a consideration. The German Airbus Perlan II has reached a record height of 76,000 ft!
Gliders are built from fibreglass and carbon fibre, and wings can be filled with water adding weight to give better ‘attack’ to airflow. Gliders weigh about ¾ ton can achieve 150mph, with a record distance of 3,000km flown in one ‘hop’.
Ed finally gave us an open invitation to visit the Midland Gliding Club.
All in all a most ‘uplifting‘ talk - in every sense!
Paul Hayward
25 July 2023 My Journey to become a Pilot in the RAF
Sue Brown
Sue’s talk covering her 10 years as a pilot in the RAF.
After learning to fly with the RAF sponsored University Air Squadron and expressing interest in joining the service she was told that the RAF did not recruit female pilots. She led a campaign to change this policy which by 1990 was successful and saw her enrolled in 131 training Squadron flying Jet Provosts.
Her dream was to fly Helicopters only to be told that the RAF would not allow female pilots in Helicopters or Fast Jets; this triggered her next campaign which, having won it in 1991, led to her becoming a helicopter pilot. The very amusing anecdotes Sue related proved that the RAF, particularly instructors and senior officers, were slightly at a loss as to how to treat her in a previously all male grouping.
We learned of the complex coordination of two hand controls and two pedals required to fly a helicopter and also the frightening training required to survive ditching the craft in water.
After qualification a ‘dream sheet’ was presented to choose a posting; Sue’s request for ‘overseas’ resulted in a 4 years posting over the Irish sea in Northern Ireland. Here guns and children throwing bricks at aircraft rotors were new hazards to be faced and problems included the issue of wearing body protection clothing designed for males.
After NI Sue took up a role as pilot in the RAF search and rescue service flying Sea Kings with a crew of four that included a winchman. A posting to the Falklands required demanding flying skills when having to pick up casualties from a pitching and rolling ship; a task Sue said was enjoyed usually in retrospect.
The audience was deeply impressed by the talk by a true trail-blazer in the development of women pilots in the military, a talk that mixed humour with a downplayed description of skill and determination.
Tony Martyr
8th August 2023 History of my Life
Clive Sheridan
Probus member Clive commenced by saying he had a varied career from choir boy to Assistant Scout Master.
Born in Sheffield in 1941 he was educated at King Ewards VII Grammer school before attending Leeds University obtaining a Fuel Science Degree.
Plus, Leeds Tech where he received a DIP in Building Services.
With these he started his working life at Hargreaves Fuel Company Ltd who manufacture industrial coal and gas boilers.
Married his wife Rosemary in 1967 who had an unfortunate car accident in 1968 requiring several operations and10 years of tracheotomy tubes to assist her breathing.
In 1970 this first child was born and he joined Heat Transfer Ltd makers of boilers as area sales manager. These were sold to such as hospital boards. This eventually led him to move too Cheltenham as the company’s Commercial Sales Manager. His responsibilities were, developing the home and export markets. The later meant trips to Paris, Nigeria, Athens and the Middle East.
After being ‘let go’ he decided on a change of direction so with his wife in 1985 they purchased the Croft House Hotel, Bakewell, some change. Such a different career from selling coal, oil and gas boilers to hotelier was dramatic and completely new skills had to be learnt very quickly. But the business flourished and to this day they remain good friends with several of the former guests.
Then in 1991 sold up and decided to take a year’s sabbatical. Whilst on holiday in the USA they saw how popular needle craft was and in 1992 opened Wye Needlecraft in Bakewell. Supplies were purchased international and they enjoyed annual visits Stateside.
During their time in Bakewell, he joined the Rotary and was President 1997 to 1998.
After eleven years they sold the business in 2002 and he and Rosie moved to Gloucestershire for better access to the family.
Clayton Lee
22nd August 2023 The Origins of Vegetables.
Howard Goslyn
The origins of most of the vegetables/fruits that we depend upon today go back a surprisingly long way. Ignoring the somewhat pedantic botanical difference between vegetables and fruits, Howard took us on an alphabetical journey of the food plants that we usually describe as vegetables (the word originated in 16th.C France). He started with Artichokes and ended with Turnips and Swedes, giving us the origin and subsequent history of them all. Many were used by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, some by our Neolithic ancestors, and apparently lentils were being eaten even before pottery was invented. However, many vegetables appeared or were modified in Europe in the 16th.C.
There are many plants that are known to be poisonous, but surprisingly some vegetables come from plants that have poisonous properties. Kidney beans are toxic if not well cooked. The only part of a potato plant that is not toxic is the tuber.
In ancient and medieval times, it was widely believed that if a plant or some portion of it resembled a human organ then that was a sign from God that the plant could be used to treat sickness of that organ. Some plant names arose from this belief, e.g. Spleenwort. Many of the plants that we eat today as part of a normal diet were at one time believed to have medicinal properties.
Jim Oakley
19th September 2023 Estate planning.
Wayne Russell, Para-Legal Advisor from Silvertown Legal.
Following a short introduction explaining his role and experience, the presentation set out 3 areas that should be considered for Estate Planning. He explained that Estate Planning should cover all the assets owned so that upon death, these will be allocated to those nominated.
1.A WILL
This is to state where your assets must go. The Estate is free of Income Tax for £325 000 per person. If it includes the allowance of a previously deceased partner that sum is doubled. Above that Inheritance Tax at 40% applies. Estate Planning is best for an estate below £1million.
Care costs will be taken from the assets until the threshold, currently £23 500 is reached.
Important to have bank accounts that can be accessed by both partners to avoid problems with access to finance. Likewise, credit cards. Joint ownership of property is best avoided. Tenants in Common ensures that a surviving partner can sell or remain or in the property.
2. ESTATE ALLOCATION OR FAMILY PROTECTION TRUST
This is a legal entity. You are the Trustee and can include other nominees. The Trust owns the assets, so they are protected. It does not include the cost of care.
3. LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY
It must cover both assets and health. It Means that those who are now responsible for your assets and health oversee your Estate. It could mean that they would refuse to agree for your care costs. Best to consult a legal Advisor to set this up. It needs to be registered.
This is the most important of the 3 area above and is strongly recommended for all.
GENERAL ADVICE
Care costs are a major issue. Estate Planning can help to protect at least 50% of your assets.
Do NOT take out Equity Release on your property.
Solicitors are trained to draw up Wills but not for Estate Planning. That is best done by a Legal Advisor.
During the talk, members were invited to raise questions or concerns and explanations were given. It certainly revealed that there was much that we were unaware of and the pitfalls to be avoided in this sensitive area.
It was a most informative presentation judging by the attentiveness and questions raised. It showed that presentations such as this should, from time to time, be included in our talks programme.
The offer of a home visit was made which resulted in members leaving their contact details.
Martin Thomas
3rd October 2023 Bristol Scout Update
David Bremner
The Probus Club of Ludlow were privileged to have a return visit and presentation by David Bremner. Eight years previously he told the Club about the extraordinary story of how he recreated a Bristol Scout world war I aircraft from scratch. It was not an ordinary aircraft as his grandfather had flown it in World War 1. Whilst clearing out his late grandfather’s shed in 1983 David discovered just three souvenir parts, of the 1916 Bristol Scout no. 1264 - the joystick, one foot peddle and a dynamo. He and friend Theo Willford set about researching and rebuilding, 1264 from these three parts. They completed the mammoth task of finding or creating every piece of the plane and rebuilding it to full flying order by 2015. In his presentation, David brought the Probus Club up-to-date with the many flying adventures of the plane since then.
Because all the original flights of 1264 were recorded in full detail in WW1 it has been possible to replicate the life and flights of the original plane. These included revisiting the Dardanelles and Gallipoli and the eastern Mediterranean, re flying over the site of the Somme trenches of 1917 and flying from Thassos all on or around the 100 anniversary of the origin events.
The Scout, designed by Frank Barnwell in 1913 was the fastest and most manoeuvrable plane in the first part of WW1 and its development became the prototype single-seater fighter during a war by leading a very rapid and much needed development of fighter aircraft cross a range of operational uses. These included from ariel spotting for artillery and trench warfare to dog fights in the air and bringing down zeppelins over east Anglia.
The whole story of the original Scout, its rebuild and recent flights is a remarkable and much appreciated tale.
Kit Smith
17th October 2023 Autumn Lunch
The Probus Club of Ludlow held its Autumn lunch at the Charlton Arms Hotel.
Thirty-five members and their guest were seated in the dining room overlooking the Ludford Bridge on the river Teme.
Everyone’s chosen meal was served efficiently and enjoyed in a very convivial atmosphere.
Clayton Lee
30th October 2023 The Lord of Flight-The Father of Aerial Aviation
Bernard North
Bernard’s talk was his usual choice of subject, a Yorkshire man who we had never heard of. Following a brief tour of humans attempts to fly, he introduced George Cayley (1773-1857), who aged 18 inherited the estate and title of Lord Cayley, 6th Baronet of Brompton High Hall near
Scarborough. He was now very wealthy. He was educated privately at home with a tutor. His education was unusual across a wide range of
subjects, including practical experimentation, design, fabrication and testing of machines. He was proficient in the workshop using hand tools and a lathe. Considered to be the first true scientific aerial investigator and the first person to understand the principles and forces of flight.
His schoolbooks reveal sketches of machines capable of flight. They show that an inclined plane, driven up against air, will generate an upward force, the first ever documentation of the forces of wing borne flight. Cayley was a polymath who experimented throughout his life, including big balloons which went on to become airships, a working caterpillar tracked vehicle, cow catchers for railways and elected as an MP for 3 years. The list is long and varied. He was far ahead of his time, but The Royal Institute had an ambivalent attitude of him. Cayley also knew the importance of streamlining and
air resistance. He realised that an engine needed to create sufficient lift for a machine to fly was not available to him. In 1809, Cayley published three papers which announced the existence of a new branch of science and the beginning of the ‘Aerial Navigation industry.’ One hundred years later, the
Centennial of Cayley’s publications, the Wright Brothers Wilbur and Orville made the first powered flight in 1903 and a member of the Smithsonian Institute said, ’Cayley carried the science of flying to the point where it had never reached before and which it scarcely reached again. ’Much of this may well have never been known but for the selling of a mucky silver disc about the size of a shilling coin to a Scarborough jeweller, once cleaned, revealed an engraving dated 1799was of a simple but obscure design. It was both the design for an aeroplane and of the forces by which a wing can fly, fully one hundred years before anyone achieved it. It also had the initials GC and had once belonged to George Cayley. Another excellently presented, eye-opening talk. Yet another hitherto unknown UK national who had considerable influence resulting from his lifetime of study and work.
Martin Thomas
4th November 2023 The Everything Man
Professor Colin Kelcey
Erasmus Darwin (1731 – 1802) a name that many of us had probably not heard of, but most would know about Charles Darwin – who was a grandson of Erasmus. He was a prolific polymath and genius who seemingly could turn his hand to almost anything: doctor, inventor, wordsmith, scientist, meteorologist, botanist, bon viveur to name but a few of his skills and talents. Once called ‘England’s Leonardo da Vinci’ he was similarly blessed with scientific imagination. Had a prolific private life, fathering at least 14 children, within and outside two marriages – plus various partners!
Born near Newark in Nottinghamshire, he attended the pre-eminent Edinburgh Medical School before his career as a physician took off in Lichfield, which was a great centre at the time for ‘enlightenment’. King George 3rd offered him the position of royal physician – but he declined. He became a leading member of the ‘Midlands Enlightenment’ and the ‘Lunar Society’ plus having his works published, such as “Zoonomia – the laws of organic life”, and an English translation of Linnaeus’ work: “The loves of the plants”. He described photosynthesis and was not shy in his writings about delving into the sexual reproduction by plants, and their propagation. Erasmus was also a linguistic innovator. He ‘invented’ “verbing” of nouns, such as ‘to
cauldron’ (IE, put in a cauldron) as well as coining new words including tonsillitis (replacing contemporary expressions such as ‘squinsy’), and the term ‘red-blooded’ - which we still use today. His outpouring of inventions and ideas included: improvement of the steering arrangement for horse-drawn coaches of the day (later patented by Ackerman in 1818), and no doubt born of Erasmus’ need to travel; attempting to persuade Matthew Boulton to develop the ‘Fiery Carriage’ – a steam-driven conveyance; designing a ‘horizontal’ windmill before it was replaced 13 years later by a steam
version; sketching out a rocket engine using hydrogen for propulsion – an idea 100 years ahead of its time; and through his interest in flight he mused over whether or not a steam engine could achieve this. He sketched out a bird made of feathers, watch springs, ladies’ fans, wire, and other materials to demonstrate his ideas. “Enlist imagination in the matter of sciences” are Erasmus’ own words to describe his life’s work. In 1790 he was pre-eminent in most of the fields he was engaged in. By 1800 however, he was almost totally forgotten.
Paul Hayward
12th December 2023 Christmas Fun
Bernard North
This year entertainment was provided by Probus member Bernard North’s one man show. With assistance from Paul and Sally Serrell -Cooke.
Commencing with poetry then wearing the various hats he had acquired throughout his travels with stories about each one. The punch line of the tale of the traveller and the girl with a glass eye, ‘only when someone catches my eye’ amused his audience. Paul then introduced him suitably dressed as a mad German professor lecturing on the antics of the Zig Zag up and down bird, with the appropriate accent. A quick change then a story about Harold driving the wrong way along the motorway plus a
tribute to Lancashire comedian Rob Wilson.
After a short interval where Sally provided mulled wine, coffee and mince pies. The scene was set for Bernard suitably made up and attired as Fanny Lawson complete with Northern accent gave his rendition of over the garden wall. Followed by a monologue, spoken with Cockney voice of Stanley Holloway's Brown Boots.
Then a piano tribute to Les Damsons classic ‘Oh What a Gal’
To conclude the 37 members, guests and friends joined in communal singing.
Clayton Lee
Bernard North
This year entertainment was provided by Probus member Bernard North’s one man show. With assistance from Paul and Sally Serrell -Cooke.
Commencing with poetry then wearing the various hats he had acquired throughout his travels with stories about each one. The punch line of the tale of the traveller and the girl with a glass eye, ‘only when someone catches my eye’ amused his audience. Paul then introduced him suitably dressed as a mad German professor lecturing on the antics of the Zig Zag up and down bird, with the appropriate accent. A quick change then a story about Harold driving the wrong way along the motorway plus a
tribute to Lancashire comedian Rob Wilson.
After a short interval where Sally provided mulled wine, coffee and mince pies. The scene was set for Bernard suitably made up and attired as Fanny Lawson complete with Northern accent gave his rendition of over the garden wall. Followed by a monologue, spoken with Cockney voice of Stanley Holloway's Brown Boots.
Then a piano tribute to Les Damsons classic ‘Oh What a Gal’
To conclude the 37 members, guests and friends joined in communal singing.
Clayton Lee