Minutes of the meeting of Coleraine Probus Club

Attendance: 42 members were in attendance.

Apologies: James Dinsmore, Ronnie Gray, Graham Kane, Danny Kennedy, Cecil Leitch, James Nesbitt, Reggie Patterson, Richard Russell, and John Tan. (9)

Club President Jim Archer welcomed members to the meeting. This morning’s speaker Fiona Watters was then introduced, the topic of her talk being “Council Waste Management and Recycling”. Fiona reminded members that we all contribute to waste. Currently 60% of generated rubbish goes by way of black bins to the land fill site at Craigahulliar which was opened in 1998.

Fiona outlined the strict controls necessary for the management of the site and the difficulty in finding new landfill sites. The aim of the Council is to increase the amount of waste which can be recycled by promoting the use of the blue bins and therefore reducing the landfill taxes. The current recycling rate stands at 40%.

A leaflet listing what goes into each bin was distributed after the talk. In 2017 all households in the Council area will be provided with a brown food waste bin. The talk proved to be highly interactive and Fiona answered many questions from the members, having successfully promoted the aim of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

A brief summary of this talk is available in the speaker’s record book and here on the club website.

A vote of thanks proposed by Billy Platt was passed on to Fiona by The President. The members showed their appreciation.

Weekly Business:
Minutes: Because of time limitation it was agreed that the minutes of 15th March 2016 be taken as read.These were then signed by the President. The minutes can be viewed here on the club website.

Matters arising: None not covered by the agenda.

Correspondence: ALL IRELAND PROBUS RALLY 2017: OMAGH.
In a email Jim McBain, Secretary for the All Ireland Rally, asked for estimated numbers of Delegates and guests from the Coleraine Club who are likely to attend the Rally. The best estimate at this early stage would be 10 delegates and 10 guests. Booking forms will be issued by Jim McBain in Feb. 2017 for the Rally on 17th and 18th May 2017. Venue – The Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh.

Reports:
Social: Des Johnston reported that on 22nd March 2016, 37 members and guests enjoyed an excellent lunch in the Restaurant of Portstewart Golf Club.

Welfare: Cecil Spotten reported that both John Buick and Tony Smyth have difficulty in hearing. John Buick has decided to retire from Probus and Tony Smyth, who lives on the Mountsandel Road close to the Loughan can no longer drive and would require a lift to the Probus meetings.

Treasurer: Nothing to report.

A O B: The President reported that new member Richard Russell was unable to attend because of a chest infection. The President will personally deliver the Probus Club membership pack to Richard.

Next Speakers Meeting: Will be on Tuesday 12th April 2016 when the guest speaker will be Ken Ward, the topic of his talk being “1930’s and 1940’s WAR PROPAGANDA.”

The President thanked members for attending and hoped to see them at the next meeting.
This meeting closed at 12:05

Signed Jim Archer
President.
Date. 12th April 2016.