Minutes of the meeting of Coleraine Probus Club
Held in Portstewart Golf Club on Tuesday 6 May 2014.

Attendance: 34 members were present.

Apologies: Jim Archer, Don Bell, Noel Finlay, Ronnie Gray, Ian Murray, James Nesbitt, Robin Semple, Tony Smyth, Cecil Spotten, Mike Turner, Gordon Ward

The Club Vice-President, John Graham, welcomed members to the meeting. It was with sadness that he had to announce the recent death of long standing club member Sam Barr. As a mark of respect the club members stood for a minute silence.
Leslie Brennan gave a touching and amusing tribute to Sam. He said it was a great honour to have known Sam as a neighbour and friend for 35 years. He would have been 88 years old in August.
His main interests were his family, his job with the GPO, his Church, New Row Presbyterian and he was a fine Mason. Shortly after retiring, his wife died. This left a huge gap in Sam’s life. At this point Leslie invited Sam to join the Probus Club where he enjoyed the fellowship and friendship.
Sam soon became the Social Events Secretary and was responsible for organising many marvellous outings to Scotland and Rathlin Island, as well as many Probus Conference trips to all parts of Ireland. Leslie recounted some amusing episodes.
We will all remember Sam with affection as a wonderful friend and Club member.

Club Vice-President introduced our speaker for the morning, club member Des Johnston, whose talk was entitled “An Inspector Calls”. Des recounted many amusing and interesting anecdotes of his time as a schools’ inspector.
A vote of thanks was proposed by Cecil Leitch and was passed on by the Vice-President. The members showed their appreciation.
A full transcript of this talk is available in the “Speakers’ Record Book” and on our 'Probus Speakers' page of the web site.

Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of 15 April 2014 were taken as read.

Matters arising: None not covered by the agenda.

Correspondence: None.

REPORTS
Social: Nothing to report.

Welfare: Nothing to report. An apology was received from Cecil Spotten.

Treasurer: Nigel Semple reminded the Club Rally Delegates that the Rally registration fee of £30.00 is now due. Cheques payable to “Coleraine Probus Club”. Cash is also acceptable.

Any Other Business:
All Ireland Probus Rally: The Vice-President gave an update of the current situation.
Delegates - 367 (including Guests)
Guest Tour - 34 (plus tour guides)
Mayoral Reception - 216 (numbers will not be limited)
Walking Tour - 54 (two groups)
No of Probus Clubs represented - 115
Club Members Registration - 34 members have completed Registration Forms
MAYORAL RECEPTION - The venue has been changed from the Council Offices to The Lodge Hotel – Allen Suite.
A notice of the change of venue will be displayed at the Council Offices on the day of the Reception.
Club members who want to attend the Rally and Lunch, as delegates were reminded that they must submit a completed Registration Form and menu choice, together with the registration fee, as the deadline is fast approaching.

Next Meeting: will be held on Tuesday 13 May 2014 and will be devoted to the Probus All Ireland Rally 2014.

Closing Remarks:
The Vice-President thanked everyone for attending and declared the meeting closed at 12.05pm.

Signed: Gordon Ward
Date: 13 May 2014