Welcome to Ferring Probus Club by President David Gibbs
Ferring Probus Club Website
Thank you for visiting the Ferring Probus Club’s website. We are a mixed Club who enjoy regular opportunities to meet and share time together through various activities. David Gibbs, President
Ferring Probus Club
Ferring Probus Club, founded in 1982, meets twice a month for members to socialise, enjoy fellowship, make new friends and develop their interests. Members are retired or semi-retired and come from all walks of life. The Club welcomes speakers who give talks on a wide variety of interesting subjects. Members enjoy a wonderful lunch, followed by a talk, at Worthing Indoor Bowls Club every month. Social activities include monthly coffee mornings, afternoon tea outings, playing games (eg Shuffleboard) and entertainment (eg films, Bell Ringers).
Learn more about our Club
If you are interested in learning more about our Club please contact:
David Gibbs, President
Email: davidjoy25@gmail.com
Tel: 01903 245660
Our NEW WEBSITE
Ferring Probus Club member Ian Goodall created & maintains this new website
Ferring Probus Club Presentation
Roger & Greta Lovell
Following their lunch the Ferring Probus Club President spoke about how Roger Lovell had served our Club very efficiently and effectively for many years fulfilling many of the roles that are necessary so that the Club runs smoothly. Covid affected many people and organisations but due to his determination Roger steered the Club through this time, transforming it into the mixed club we enjoy today. The President, on behalf of the members, presented Roger with a gift as a token of the Club’s appreciation. A bouquet of flowers was also given to Greta, Roger’s wife, for her support of Roger and her contribution to the Club.
Ferring Probus Club forthcoming event - Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard date for your diary - 26th September 2025
Easy to play - No particular skill required – No complicated rules - Great fun
Shuffleboard existed in England over 500 years ago. It is an exciting variant of Shov-Ha’Penny. Henry VIII was very fond of the game.
The game is played by sliding discs along a narrow board and knocking them through gaps to score points. Each team has three players. This Ferring Probus Club event is being held at St Andrews Church Centre.
Taking part in a shuffleboard tournament brings these typical responses:
- “…everyone had a fantastic time”
- “…what a superb and enjoyable evening”
- “…a resounding success; none of us had played before – such a great game”
- “…first class event”.
Ferring Probus Club - Arlington Hotel Afternoon Tea
Arlington Hotel afternoon tea
The first Probus Afternoon Tea was held at the Arlington Hotel on 29 April 2025. The weather was beautiful as befits a quintessentially afternoon tea and the venue was a perfect setting for a timeless tradition. On arrival the guests settled down to cups of tea and very tasty finger sandwiches – beef and horseradish, smoked salmon and egg and cress. Beautiful individual cakes of lemon drizzle and chocolate iced sponge graced the tables. The crowning glory was delicious light scones served warm with strawberry jam and clotted cream. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent chatting to other members and some guests. The President, David Gibbs, thanked Beryl Short for arranging the event and the round of applause showed how much this had been appreciated. All too soon the afternoon ended, and we left in the glorious Spring sunshine, happy and replete.
Ferring Probus Club - Recent talk "Magnus Volk"
Magnus Volk by Bill McNaught
At the May 2025 Coffee Morning Bill McNaught gave an informative and illustrative talk about the life and work of Magnus Volk (1851-1937), a prolific inventor. During his early life he had some success producing parlour telegraph sets and first became properly well-known in 1879 when he installed the first telephone line in Brighton from his house in Preston Road to another nearby in Springfield Road. In 1880 he was the first person in the town to light his home by electricity. This success led to him being awarded a contract for installing electric lighting in the Brighton Pavillion and the Dome. In 1883 he launched his most famous project, the Volk’s Electric Railway which still runs along the seafront today, making it the oldest electric railway in the world that is still running. Throughout his life Volk became involved in various other projects including designing the first electric car in 1880 and exporting two to the Sultan of Turkey and in 1890 designing electric boats that sailed on the River Thames.
Ferring Probus Club - Recent Talk "True Crime in Hastings"
True Crime in Hastings by Joel Griggs
At our May 2025 lunch we enjoyed a talk given by Joel Griggs, curator of the True Crime Museum in Hastings. He told us about how he set it up in 2014 located in the cliffs of Hastings and how he had received co-operation from various police museums to provide exhibits to add to his own family's collection. These included articles from many gruesome cases such as the bottles used to purchase sulphuric acid by John George Haigh, the "Acid Bath murderer", and items used by Dr. John Bodkin Adams, the "Killer Doctor" who lived in Eastbourne. He showed us a few examples of exhibits and invited guesses as to whom or what they related. One of the photos shows counterfeit pound coins and no one guessed that the casino counters had been used by Lord Lucan.
Ferring Probus Club - Recent Talk "Fire Safety in the Home"
Fire Safety in the Home by Ben Applin
At the June 2025 Coffee Morning Ben Applin from West Sussex Fire and Rescue gave a very interesting talk on Fire Safety in the home. Ben began by giving a history lesson. The first Roman fire brigade was created by Marcus Licinius Crassus. He took advantage of the fact that Rome had no firefighters. Crassus created his own brigade of 500 firefighters who rushed to burning buildings at the first cry for help. The Tooley Street Fire of 1861 occurred at Cotton’s Wharf, London. The buildings were filled with a huge array of goods, including jute, hemp, cotton, spices, tea and coffee. It is thought the fire started by spontaneous combustion and it caused a huge commotion as it rapidly spread. Although the firefighters were quickly on the scene, they were unable to get a supply of water for nearly an hour – the Thames was at low tide making it even more difficult to fight the fire. Ben then recounted some statistics, for example, the West Sussex Fire Control receive approximately 80 calls per day. Finally, Ben reminded members of how to use electrical equipment safely in the home and asked members to consider having a free safety check of their homes. A number followed his advice and signed up to receive this.
Ferring Probus Club - Film afternoon and tea, June 2025
