CREWKERNE PROBUS CLUB

MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. HELD AT THE CRICKET ST THOMAS GOLF CLUB

WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 2026

1. Acting President Mark Harris called the meeting to order at 1.50
2. Apologies received as follows: Jon Jarrett, Chris Kitson, David Long, Tim Spilsbury, Mac Everett and Robbie Heyd-Smith.
3. Members Brian Daniels and Eize Van de Meulen arrived but could not attend because the lift was out of order.

3. Minutes of the previous year’s AGM were unanimously accepted as a true record and there were no matters arising.
4. President’s report will await the return of Jon Jarrett. On his behalf the Secretary thanked all Officers and Executive members for their support.
5. Officer’s reports.

• Treasurer Mike Luff reported on a successful year with £2716 in hand. Which represented £285 excess income. £389.50 was earmarked for the President’s charity and the Executive had made this up to £400. The figures included our website costs and bank charges. Lunches and membership were up and all was sound for a non – profit organisation.
• Accounts to be accepted proposed Trevor Lowe and seconded by Roger Fowler and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was expressed to Mike for his work in keeping the accounts.
• The accounts were checked and verified by Bob Griffiths.
• Secretary Irvin Johns gave a report including work undertaken on behalf of Probus. Calling quarterly meetings, setting up the AGM, maintaining membership list and significant dates, the Honours Board, Club insurances, proxy opinions for meetings, recording new members and provision of badges. We welcomed new members Rob Key, Gordon Hughes and today Kevin Dillon. Circulation of minutes is a combined effort with Roger Fowler and the website is used often to circulate information.
• Welfare Officer Robbie Heyd-Smith apologised for not being with us and therefore no report. He would like someone else to take over and Trevor Lowe has valiantly agreed to do this. Robbie was formally thanked for all his work undertaken with quietness and calmness and great efficiency.
• Catering Officer Mike Luff. Mike combines this with his treasurer role. Gratuity on occasion has been lessened if service was below expectations – Mike has discretion regarding this. He asked members for thoughts on service, choice and quantity. No problems were forthcoming BUT a healthier dessert might be welcome!!
• Social Secretary Irvin Johns spoke on the successful President’s garden party. Otherwise the year had been a quiet one. The next year plans were already in place with a planned President garden party, a visit to the Chard Museum and a return visit to ARK for a willow weaving afternoon.
• Functions Officer Roger Fowler reported on two events as Ladies lunch one in May and one for Christmas. May lunch was attended by 35 guests but members were low at 13. service was good and a good meal provided at The Cricket St. Thomas golf club. The Christmas lunch was held at the Lordleaze Hotel with 38 in attendance and 18 members. Avery good meal and service was provided. Roger now feels the time is right for a change as numbers are lower. This year sees a May lunch platter at the Lordleaze at a reduced price and should prove successful. The Christmas lunch was discussed at the AGM and the feeling was strongly in favour of a 2 course lunch (mains and dessert) and this is provisionally booked at the Lordleaze Hotel. More information will follow.
• Transport Officer David Long will always be available should any member have a transport difficulty.
• Speaker Officer Bob Griffiths has a list of speakers for the new year and this will be varied and interesting. Bob is always open to ideas and suggestions for speakers and this is seen as a whole club contribution.

6. Our President Jon Jarrett is keen for discussion on having lady members. This was discussed in the first place at the Executive meeting which came forward with an interim proposal for review next year. Any membership changes will require a vote and a constitutional change.
7. Proposal 1. To allow full membership of the Crewkerne Probus Club to include ladies.
8. Proposal 2. The lunch time speaker events should be increased and then ladies could be invited to attend. This arrangement would be reviewed at the neat A.G.M.
9. Proposal 2 was unanimously carried.

7. The new President Mark Harris who has been acting since January was accepted as President and the transfer of the Chain Of Office was conducted by President elect Alan Morris. President Mark thanked members for their support and outlined his charity for the year as The Children’s Hospice Southwest, specifically Charlton Farm, Wraxall, which is where our charity donation would be directed. The fundraiser (Lucy) based at Wraxall is willing to come and talk to members  and literature will be provided.
8. Mark also thanked Norman Fleetwood for all his work for the Club as he wished to stand down from the Executive Committee.

8. Formation of the new Officers and Executive members were all voted in en bloc. All Officers were willing to stand in their existing roles with the addition of Trevor Lowe to look after welfare in place of Robbie Heyd-Smith but Robbie will continue as technical officer.
9. The Officers are as follows:

• • President Mark Harris
  • Vice President Alan Morris
  • Treasurer Mike Luff
  • Secretary Irvin Johns
  • Functions Roger Fowler
  • Welfare Trevor Lowe
  • Social Sec. Irvin John
  • Catering Mike Luff
  • Technical Robbie Heyd-Smith
  • Transport David Long
  • Speaker Coordinator Bob Griffiths
  • Accounts inspection Bob Griffiths
  • Executive – Jon Jarrett, Chris Kitson and David Bryant

9. The A.G.M. closed at 1.30p.m.