Minutes of the meeting of Coleraine Probus Club

Attendance: 38 members and guests were present

Apologies: Leslie Brennan, Robert Campbell, John Dobson, Jim Dinsmore, Jim Gordon, Ronnie Gray and Graham MacDonald (7)

Club President Gordon Ward welcomed members to this, the first meeting of 2015, on a fine sunny morning. The President said it was his pleasure to formally welcome new club member John Tan to the club and present John with his club papers and badges. The President then introduced our speaker for the morning Mr. Brian Fillis, who was a member of our nearest local club, Portstewart Probus, and a valued volunteer at the Rally last May, who was giving a talk about the 'Inca Empire'

A brief summary of this talk is available in the Speakers Record Book, and also on the club web site. A vote of thanks was proposed by Joe Alcorn and was passed on by the Past President. The members showed their appreciation.

Minutes: The minutes of the 2nd December 2014, were taken as read, due to time limitations.

Matters arising: None not covered by the agenda.

Correspondence: The club had received a lovely Christmas card from the members of the Cork Ladies Probus Club, to wish us 'seasons greetings' and to thank us once again for the 'warm welcome received at the splendid 2014 Rally'

Social: The President reported on the Christmas Concert and Lunch, held on 9th December. Around 60 members and guests attended, and were treated to a very entertaining show be Maggie Ferris and a fine meal, including pre-concert tea/coffee and shortbread, provided by the Golf Club. Thanks to everyone for attending, and special thanks to Reggie Patterson for arranging the concert; for Ivan Gough for providing the carol books; Leslie Brennan for leading the singing; and for Jim Gordon in sorting out the table seating logistics.

Welfare: Cecil Spotten reported that although Jim Foote had spent some time at home, he was back in the Causeway, and still not allowed general visitors. Alec Elliot and Arthur Nicholl are both fairly well for their age. Norman Austin is in 'The Cottage' nursing home and Arnold Carson is in 'Brookmount'.

A O B: 1. AGM: The President said that he was giving formal notice that the club's AGM would be held on Tuesday 27th January. Members wishing to raise and matters for the agenda or make any changes/additions to the constitution should inform the Secretary before the 14th January.
2. All Ireland Rally 2015: Graham Kane said that he had arranged with the Hotel staging the Ennis Rally on 13 and 14th May for a reduced price two night stay for the Rally. Members wishing to take up this offer should tell Graham by the meeting on 13th Jan.

Next Speakers Meeting: Would be on 13th January, where the guest speaker would be Mr. Robert Anderson, giving us the 'History of the Barmouth'.

The President thanked members for attending and hoped everyone would also be along next week.
Meeting closed at 12.00 am

SIGNED: _________________________
DATE: 13th January 2015