Pro-Biz
Web site - http://www.probus-teddington-hampton.org.uk
Issue No 211
News from Teddington and Hampton Probus
July 2016
Total Toast-mastery... was demonstrated by Brian Greenan, as guest
speaker at the Club's June Luncheon (at which the new catering team made
an impressive debut). A former Scotland Yard detective and President of
the London Society of Toastmasters, the assured and charismatic Brian
delivered a polished presentation on the protocols of toast-mastering in the
City of London. He explained that in 1890, when William Nightsmith
became the first tail coated toastmaster, his duties were centered exclusively
on the proposal of toasts. However, his modern-day equivalent is called
upon to multitask as toastmaster, MC, event co-ordinator and 'voice of
God', referring when necessary to those 'Bibles' of etiquette, Debrett and
Black's. He then showed a checklist that needed to be consulted
meticulously to help ensure the success of an event. A City of London
toastmaster, resplendent in his regalia of tails, pristine white shirt and red
sash, officiates at the Mansion House, the Guildhall and the Halls of the
City's livery companies, often in the presence of the Lord Mayor and other
leading City dignitaries. The occasions; luncheons, dinners, weddings and corporate events all call for a specific
procedure and protocol which has to be strictly observed. Brian concluded with a number of droll anecdotes relating to
his encounters with the great and the good in some of the grandest venues.
In moving the vote of thanks, Brian Donaldson thanked the speaker for his intriguing and incisive insight into the arts
of toast-mastering, making particular mention of the outstanding quality and clarity of his visual images. Members'
response testified to their enjoyment and appreciation. As an appropriate finale, Brian Greenan, in full toastmaster’s
voice, invited members to be upstanding for the Chairman's proposal of the customary concluding toasts of The Queen
and The Club.
(Jim Woodford)
PRO–BIZ PROFILE - GRAHAM BERESFORD
Born in Gray's, Essex during the ‘Phoney War', his home was a Luftwaffe target area, and he
and his mother were evacuated to Amersham in Bucks. His father fought in North Africa with
the 'Desert Rats' in the Tank Regiment and subsequently served in the Civil Administration in
Italy, then Palestine, Uganda and Cyprus, where Graham visited him. Graham was meanwhile
educated at boarding schools in Dumfries and Edinburgh, where pupils were treated to daily
cold showers and rugby! Early contact with flying instilled a love of aircraft, but he was unable
to take up his Flying Scholarship at Cranwell RAF College due to a perforated eardrum. Instead,
he progressed to an interesting career in Public Relations, but in 1969 made a major career
change into the Probation Service, where he has worked ever since and is still called upon
occasionally. He served 7 years with the Royal Marines Reserve, memorably winning his
commando ‘Green Beret'. He also worked for 12 years as a Marriage Registrar, conducting more
than 1000 weddings in Richmond's prestigious venues. He has 'retired' at least five times so far!
Graham married Norma in 1968; they have two daughters; Laurie who works at Hampton Court
Palace, whilst Gabrielle is a vet working in The Highlands - one of Graham and Norma's
favourite holiday haunts! He has a younger brother who lives with his family in Boise, Idaho.
Graham sings in the choir at St. Mary's, Hampton and with the Hampton Choral Society, and also acts with St. Mary's
Drama Group (look out for him at Hampton Hill Theatre in October in The Importance of Being Ernest!) Other hobbies
include philately, history, Big Band music and embroidery; he recently completed a panel of the Bayeux Tapestry
which he began 30 years ago - progress is slow! This year Graham celebrates a decade as a Probian, joining at the
invitation of the fondly-remembered Les Fitzgerald. “I joined in order to meet interesting people and my expectations
have constantly been fulfilled.” He enjoys walking with the ‘Probus Plodders' – “providing my navigation gets me to
the start before the walkers return to the pub!”
(Graham Beresford / Jim Woodford)
WALK FROM THE STAG ON THE RIVER, EASHING, 5TH JULY
The trip down to Eashing wasn’t too bad once Hampton Court Bridge and the Flower Show had been negotiated. There were
breaks in the cloud and a promise of a fine day, after the first week at Wimbledon complete with the obligatory downpours.
Nine walkers arrived at The Stag, which luckily opened at 10.00 a.m. for a comfort break. The Plodders set off through the
very pretty village of Eashing over the 13th century bridge, which luckily held our weight. Once again, Finn the dog took the
vanguard, and showed us the way over the footbridge which crossed the A3 onto the beautiful countryside beyond. A varied
walk through open fields and mixed woodland took us on to the estate and village of Peper Harrow which has a long history
and association with the game of cricket - where in the 18th century many of the rules were first drawn up. The house itself
and the grounds (designed Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown) remained in one family for 230 years until 1944, when
requisitioned by the Canadian Army. It then became an approved school and later, after a fire in 1990, was converted into
apartments. We then checked out the local church with its 800 year old Yew tree, and then we were back into open country
making our way westwards. By now we were having some very welcome sunshine, which stayed with us for the rest of the
walk. Finn up to this point had been no trouble, as on this walk he had not seen any of the postal staff which he seems to
have a great aversion to, but he did find a corn on the cob field and promptly disappeared into the 5ft high crop. Lots of
calling finally resulted in Finn popping out like a cork from of a bottle some 100 yards further down the track, where he was
encouraged by Eileen to keep to the track with a promise of dog biscuits which are supplied freely by the pub. After a slight
incline, and passing a very posh marquee in one of the meadows, we were back on track to return to The Stag, where we met
another 13 members, who were already comfortably seated awaiting their lunch. The Stag can be highly recommended; the
location, the staff, the beer, and the food, were excellent. If you are bowling down the A3 at any time, look out for the sign
for Eashing, it’s well worth a visit.
(Keith McArthur)
Photos:
Keith
McArthur
HAMPTON LADIES CLUB 20TH ANNIVERSARY
We started the celebrations in June with cake and coffee before our Annual General Meeting. This was not a bribe to
members as they had not been told beforehand but we did have a very good attendance. Our celebrations continued on the
11th July when forty members spent a relaxing day visiting the beautiful Savill Garden enjoying some sunshine as they
wandered around the garden before having an excellent lunch. In the afternoon we enjoyed a river cruise from Runnymede
to Windsor with a cream tea on the return trip. This was an excellent day-out despite the showers and the lunch and tea made
this a great outing for our 20th anniversary. Our programme of events continues with a theatre trip at the end of July to see
'Guys and Dolls'. Later in the year a tour of the Globe Theatre is being arranged. May I take this opportunity to thank all
those members of Men's Probus who loyally support our events, this is much appreciated and always fills the coach.
We meet on the second Monday of the month at Hampton Hill Playhouse and visitors are very welcome to come to our
meetings. Please contact Joy Turner (President). Tel: 01932 784016.
(Joy Turner)
BARBEQUE 28 JUNE
The weather was with us once again at the wonderful setting of Tamesis on the Thames for our Club's second
barbeque. With the stalwarts from last year showing their expertise and a lot of enthusiasm, the event ran
extremely smoothly. The hamburgers, sausages and burger buns were again purchased from local traders, as
were the selection of desserts, with the accompanying salads and other cold items being prepared by some of
the ladies. The team started at 10am by getting the barbeques lit and the cooks Ray, Keith M, Malcolm and
Howard set to cooking for the seventy expected members, Ladies Probus members and friends. Whilst the
ladies were in the cool of the kitchen for their preparatory work, the men had to abandon the barbeque
gazebo as it proved to be too hot to work inside. It was in fact placed over the serving area, which was ideal.
The weather again allowed everyone to sit outside to enjoy their lunch. The same procedure as the previous
year was used to call up tables one by one for the cooked food and salad dishes. Seconds were offered and it
was then on to the desserts which had been laid out in the Club house. Again ‘seconds’ were offered and all
the plates were emptied. Naturally the bar was well supported and we were promptly served by two
charming ladies from the Tamesis club. Our thanks go to all the ‘worker’ volunteers and to Tamesis club for
their hospitality and especially to Chris Pollard for arranging the use of the facilities of the Club. It was a
wonderful social event.
Photos:
Martin Hart
Catchphrase or Cliché –
Rain Check, to take a –
A rain check is a receipt or counterfoil of a baseball ticket that can be used at a later date if a game has been
interrupted by rain. It is an American expression and the phrase retains the American spelling of ‘cheque’. The
phrase is now used to accept an invitation, put on hold and defered until a later date. It is, in fact, a polite way of
postponing something indefinitely with only a minor commitment to rearrange.
F UTURE EVENTS:
Tue 28 July:
H.L.P.C. Theatre Visit, Woking. ‘Guys & Dolls’.
Tue 2 Aug:
Pub Lunch/ Walk: The Volunteer, Sutton Abinger. Organiser Keith McArthur
Tue 16 Aug:
Club Luncheon – Speaker, Dr Pat Ealey – The Holly Lodge Centre
EDITOR and PRINTING: Ray Lynch Email:- [email protected]