Focus on Heywood: Heywood Probus Club

Some of the Heywood Probus Club members

Depending on who you speak to, retirement is something that should be either cherished or dreaded. Weekday afternoons can be the perfect time to finally take up fishing, or an unbearable cycle of daytime television and reading the newspaper.

For anyone finding themselves in this situation, no matter their personal views on the subject, it would certainly seem a more enjoyable prospect if experienced surrounded by friends.

It is easy to meet a few strangers down the pub every night and keep entertained that way, but for people wanting a bit more structure to their social life when they retire there is the Heywood Probus Club.

Established in 1972 and open to professional and business men who are retired or nearly at that stage, the Club is the perfect place to make new friends and keep active when the 9 to 5 grind finally comes to an end.

The group has a wide ranging membership of Heywood residents who have experienced life in all fields, including headmasters, engineers and bank managers, so there is no shortage of stories to hear and share.

As well as meeting at the Albany Hotel in Heywood for enlightening talks from invited speakers, the Club also puts on a range of social days out where members can bring along their other halves and friends. These include walks and two annual holidays, with members travelling to Newcastle for a six-day trip in September this year.

The Club is run by a small committee elected at the annual general meeting, some of whom have been members for over a quarter of a century. Secretary Brian Leightell joined much more recently in 2003 and has held his position for three years. He strongly believes in the benefits brought to members by the organised events.

He said: “Members memories are enriched by the various memorable speakers we have and the social activities they attend.”

Mr Leightell added that the Club also provides assistance with community service projects as appropriate within the scope and ability of the membership, which currently includes 45 people and more waiting to join in.

Christmas and May anniversary lunches are another opportunity for members to bring along whoever they like and get to know some new faces in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Mr Leightell said: “The most enjoyable thing about the club is the genuine friendship among members, the willingness to help each other as we get older.”

This month’s talks are on Oscar Wilde and 'From Percy's Pigsty to 10 Downing Street', and there is also a walk in Uppermill on Thursday 14 October.

The Heywood Probus Club meets on the first and third Tuesdays in each month and on the fifth Tuesday when one occurs.

To find out about more community groups in Heywood visit:

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/community/groups/heywood