Minutes of the meeting of Coleraine Probus Club

Attendance: 38 members.

The Club President, John Graham, welcomed members to the meeting and in particular extended a warm welcome to guests Keith Brown, Harry Cullen and Danny Kennedy. The President then introduced our speaker for the morning, Mr. Barry Torrens, the topic for his talk being “Surviving the Earthquake – Everest 2015”

Barry reminded the members that this was the third talk given by him to the Coleraine Probus Club. He organised this trip to the Everest Base Camp as a retirement gift for his sister Lesley.
After an assortment of training sessions the party departed for Kathmandu in Nepal, located at an altitude of 1340m. From Kathmandu they flew to Lukla airport, really an airstrip cut into the mountainside, no longer than 500 meters and with the reputation of being the most dangerous airport in the world.

From Lukla (altitude 2840m) the trek to the Everest Base Camp (altitude 5364m) began, with Sherpas carrying all the necessary equipment.
Barry gave detailed cultural insights into the journey with descriptions and amazing photographs of the trek including the Tengboche Monastery and Chanting Monks who gave a Blessing to the group.
The 12 day trek ended just 360 meters from the Everest Base Camp when Lesley was struck down with acute altitude sickness which dictated an urgent evacuation by helicopter back to Kathmandu and hospital for Lesley.

While Lesley was recuperating, Barry decided to take to the tourist trail and go white water rafting 80 miles west of Kathmandu. That’s when the earthquake struck with mountain sides collapsing on to roadways and vehicles, necessitating a quick exit from the river and a hazardous journey back to Kathmandu City.

With the situation in the city deteriorating, after three earthquakes Barry and Lesley eventually made their way to the British Embassy. This was manned by the Gurkha Regiment. They remained there for 5 days before being repatriated on a returning aid flight to the U.K.

It was a sobering thought that Lesley’s acute altitude sickness had possibly saved their lives. 18 climbers lost their lives at the Everest Base Camp on that fateful day.

The President requested that because of time limitations, members with questions should talk to Barry after the meeting.
A further summary of this talk is available in the Speaker’s Record Book and also on the Club website ('Click Here')
A vote of thanks proposed by Des Johnston was passed to Mr. Torrens by the President. The members showed their appreciation.

Weekly Business

Apologies: Joe Alcorn, John Dobson, Ivan Gough, Ronnie Gray, Dermot Jennings, Graham Kane, Aubrey McElhinney, John McGlade, Billy Platt, Ernest Preece, Nigel Semple John Tan and Joe Wishart

Minutes: Because of time limitation the members present agreed that the minutes for 8 September 2015 be taken as read and these were signed by the President. .

Matters arising: None not covered by the agenda.

Correspondence: None.

REPORTS:
Social: Des Johnston reminded members that the Club Lunch will be held on Tuesday 29 September 2015. Completed menus should be returned on 22 September.

Welfare: Cecil Spotten reported that Nigel Semple was in hospital for tests.

Treasurer: An apology was received from Nigel Semple.

A O B:
1. 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
The President invited Ian Murray to commemorate this anniversary on behalf of the Probus members, Ian reminded members of the debt we all owe to those who made the supreme sacrifice or who were seriously injured in the Battle of Britain.
A short silence was observed to remember those brave airmen who made the supreme sacrifice.

2. Charity Donation
The retiring collection raised £220.00 for the “Nepal Earthquake Disaster Fund”.

Next Speakers Meeting: Will be held on Tuesday 22 September 2015 and the speaker will be Mr Ken Perry on the subject of “The Beauty of Birds”.

The President thanked the members for attending and looked forward to seeing them at the next meeting on 22 September 2015.

Meeting closed at 12.05pm.

SIGNED: John Graham
Date: 22 September 2015.
President.