THE HISTORY OF PROBUS CLUBS
by KVPC Chair: Rosemary Lockyer 30. 11. 10
Early 1920’s - Probus Clubs were first formed in Canada & USA, so called from the Acronym pro/bus meaning “to help” which was founded to help needy people in the community. However, these are not associated with the present worldwide clubs of today.
1965 - Fred Carnill in Welwyn Garden City was the founder of the original male Probus Club. It originated from when he met friends for coffee who enjoyed one anothers brisk, entertaining conversation. They were mostly retired or semi-retired professional business ex-commuters who had worked in London having gained a wealth of experience and expertise such as: Architect responsible for public buildings; Borough Treasurer; Headmaster; Journalist; Newspaper Editor; Rail Official and Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Prior to Fred's retirement he had been engaged in the wholesale/retail drapery trade. He was a stocky energetic man who enjoyed playing cricket, bowls and football, and an enthusiastic, extrovert Rotarian with a lively sense of humour. One day Fred thought it would be a good idea to form a club. He telephoned 33 friends and suggested forming a “Campus Club”, so named as it faced the centre of town which was called Campus. His friends thought it a good idea and said “Put me down Fred!”
1966 - Harold Blanchard who was a Rotarian at Caterham merged with Fred’s Campus Club and received a sponsorship from the Rotary at Bromsgrove, Birmingham. The Campus Club was newly named 'Probus' - derived from the Latin word 'probity' meaning 'upright' or 'honest'.
By 1971 membership had grown to 119 and Fred's original "simple idea" had now developed into similar clubs being formed across Britain, the generic name Probus being generally adopted as standing for 'Professional & Business'.
Probus Magazine
1982 founded and called Probus News which had 64 pages issued bi-monthly
1983 – 1999 issued quarterly
2006 – Re-named Probus Magazine
2008 - Expanded to 80 pages
2010 – Currently 40 pages
1985 onwards - the Rotarian International Board encouraged Rotary Clubs to initiate projects which addressed the growing needs of the senior population, hence the logo of the symbol “P” inside a wheel which indicates early connections with the Rotary Club movement.
2008 - Rosemary Lockyer founded the Newbury Ladies and Gentlemen Probus Club during October which was named Kennet Valley Probus Club. The original Newbury Probus Club was founded 40 years ago as an all male club which was the norm in those days. During 2008 Rosemary attended Hungerford Probus Club which had been founded in 1998 and had a membership of ladies and gentlemen. She considered it a good idea to set-up a similar club in Newbury, and Hungerford Probus were most supportive.
April 2011 - Rosemary, together with member Fay Jackson, founded the KVPC - Coffee Morning which is held each month. This was inspired by Fred Carnill who originally held a regular coffee morning with his business colleagues. Although many Probus clubs also started in this way, later becoming luncheon meetings, they also retained their coffee mornings. It was therefore considered a good idea for our Club to continue with this tradition.
Our Club logo has a coin of Marcus Aurelius Probus (click on link) who was the Roman Emperor 276 – 282. The reason that this was chosen was because he seemed to depict the original Latin meaning to which clubs were named - probity - being upright, honest, honourable citizens which we all hopefully strive to be.
The philosophy of Probus is to be independent, non-sectarian, non-political and having no central governing body. Probus officers are to be voluntary and costs are to be gained from members' subscriptions. Probus encourages friendship, fellowship and fun with the aim of maintaining a local social network for people with similar interests, arranges events and provides speakers whose subjects are engaging to its members.
Nowadays there are approximately 4,000 clubs established worldwide in 22 countries, having a membership of over 300,000.