NEWENT and District Probus Club is celebrating its 40th birthday this year and held a special ‘meet and greet’ event in the town’s Memorial Hall on May 9.

Spokesperson for the group. Colin Thomas, said: “The meeting was very well attended and included a light buffet lunch and a highly entertaining, informative and instructive talk from guest speaker, David Williams, from The Institute of Advanced Motoring.

“This was an open meeting in order to give non-members the opportunity to meet club members and see the nature and function of the club.

“Probus is a members only, non-religious, non-political club for retired and semi-retired professionals and businessmen who wish to meet together in fellowship. It meets every second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Memorial Hall in Newent from 10am to 12noon.

“It has a very diverse range of interests with a variety of speakers on subjects such as ‘Life in a Bomb Disposal Unit’ and ‘Backpacking in China’.

“Alongside this there are regular pub lunches and skittles evenings together with regular threatre visits and trips to places of interest such as Coventry Motor Museum and Renishaws in Wootton-under-Edge.”

If you would like more information on the Probus Club please contact secretary, Fraser Gunn, on 01531 890248, 07960 463462 or email [email protected]