History of Largs Probus Club

Following an exploratory meeting of seven retired gents and a further meeting attended by 14 interested parties, Largs Probus Club was launched under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Largs. The inaugural meeting was held in Wham's Restaurant in Main Street on the morning of Tuesday 6th December 1988, with the attendance of 24 members under the chairmanship of the late Jim Allan. On the 28th of December a current account was opened with the Royal Bank of Scotland in the sum of £1.75!! Increasing numbers and general problems of accommodation were the reasons for subsequent moves to the Queens, Willowbank and Priory House Hotels.
   The pattern of weekly meetings in the winter and fortnightly in the summer was adopted from the very beginning -- as was the mix of programme comprising speakers, outings, social events etc. The first outing took place as early as February 1989 with a visit to Ballantine's Kilmalid distillery and lunch at Duck Bay, organised by Larry and Jessie Birkbeck. Trips to the Burrell Collection and Inverary followed and by the end of the year plans were already in hand for the first Club holiday, to Ballater in May 1990.
   Under Jim Allan's guidance the Club continued to prosper with a rapidly increasing membership and an ever-expanding programme; so much so that it became necessary to introduce waiting lists for most of the Club's social events and holidays - and soon after the trip to the Bulb Fields in Holland in May 1991 it also became necessary to introduce a waiting list for membership of the Club. Jim was President cum Secretary cum Organiser during the first ten years of the Club's history, arranging a dynamic non-stop programme of events including holidays centred in Maidstone (Kent), Bournemouth, Bromsgrove (Worcester), Bath, Llandudno, Norwich, Lanzarote etc.
   It was Jim who ensured that our social calendar encompassed the Ladies at every opportunity,with theatre visits, lunches, outings etc. with particular emphasis on our annual 'Ladies Night' functions. He was created Honorary Life President of the Club at our 10th Anniversary Dinner held at the Priory House Hotel in November 1998.
   In the sure knowledge that Jim was a unique character, the rules of the Club were changed to limit the term of office for all office bearers to a maximum of 3 years. In subsequent years the chair has been occupied by David Crawford, Alex Currie, Jack Young, Alan McManus, Archie McMillan, Norrie Hollywood and Harry O'Neill. Perhaps more surprising is that the role of Club Secretary has been fulfilled in the past 23 years by just three men (or should that be Three Just Men?), namely Jim Allen, Harry O'Neill and Archie McBride (the latter two having alternated terms of office in order to comply with Club rules).
   With the move to the Brisbane House Hotel in July 2006 it was possible to increase membership to a maximum of 75, and we currently have an average attendance of 50-55 at our weekly meetings.
   The Club boasts a very active Bowls Section which competes with a high degree of success against the other Probus Clubs in Ayrshire, and although the Golf Section is smaller in numbers, in addition to organising our annual Putting Tournament, they nevertheless achieve their primary objective - namely to have fun and win a few games! The self-help Computer Group meets during the winter and it appears unlikely that they will pose a threat to the Microsoft Corporation - but great oaks from little acorns grow, don't they?
   So that was the first 23 years worth of fraternalism, fun and fellowship with Largs Probus Club. What next?