Minutes of the meeting of Coleraine Probus Club

Attendance: 32 members were in attendance.

Apologies: Jim Archer, James Dinsmore, John Dobson, Jim Gordon, John Graham, Brian Green, Jack Henderson, Graham Kane, Cecil Leitch, John Leslie, John McHenry, James Nesbitt, Billy Platt, Ian Scott, Nigel Semple and John Tan. (16)

Club Vice President Mike Turner welcomed members and guest to the meeting. The guest was George Stewart from the Omagh Rotary Club. This morning’s speaker, Cathy Rowe, was then introduced, the topic of her talk being “Nursing in St. Helena”.

Kathy was involved with Queens University in the development of nursing education and research designed to support underdeveloped countries including St. Helena, a volcanic island which she described as the Jewel of the South Atlantic. Kathy’s talk gave an interesting insight into her work on the island since 1998 in helping to upgrade the 28 bed hospital, the nursing curriculum and to develop a specialist skill among the nursing staff. The uninhabited island, discovered in 1502 by the Portuguese, now has a population of 4200 and an area of 50 sq. miles. The only access to the island was by way of The Royal Mail Ship sailing from Capetown, a sea journey of 7 days. The withdrawal of this service is set to follow shortly after the opening of the first airport on St. Helena, the official opening due on 21st April 2016.

A question and answer session followed the talk. A brief summary of this talk is available in the speakers record book and here on the club website.

A vote of thanks proposed by John McKegney was passed to Kathy Rowe by the Vice President. The members showed their appreciation.

Weekly Business:
Minutes: The minutes of 26th April 2016 were read, approved by the members and signed by the Vice President.

Matters arising: None not covered by the agenda.

Correspondence: None.

Reports:
Social: Joe Alcorn said that the Menus for the Club Lunch on Tue. 10th May 2016 are now available. Completed menu choices should be returned today.

Welfare: Cecil Spotten said he had nothing new to report.
Treasurer: Nothing to report.

A O B:
1. Reggie Patterson reminded members that a practice for the NW200 will take place on Tuesday next from 9:15 am. to 3;00 pm. The race circuit roads will be closed and members coming to the Probus Quiz and Lunch should bear this in mind.

2. John McKegney reported that his committee is preparing a list of speakers for the Autumn Probus meetings. If members know of any suitable speakers please pass the details to the committee members. John said that he was sure that Club members could also give a talk on life experiences or pet subjects.

3. Norman Maxwell said that single vision spectacles are being collected by First Coleraine Presbyterian Church for sending to Kenya. These can be left at the Church Office or given to a Church Member.
The Next Meeting: On Tue.10th May 2016 will be the Club Quiz followed by the Club Lunch. This will be the final meeting before the summer break. Probus meetings will resume on Tuesday 6 Sept. 2016

The Vice President thanked members for attending and hoped all would be able to come to the Quiz and Lunch on Tuesday 10th May 2016.

The meeting closed at 12:03 pm.

Signed Jim Archer.
President
Date 6th September 2016.