Retford Men’s Probus Club has been running since 1971. Meetings take place at the Westhill Community Centre, Ordsall at 10.00am every other Friday. If you want to get involved please see www.retfordmensprobusclub.org.uk.
What a fascinating pair of talks members enjoyed in April. Steve Bowles came on the 7th and shared his story of how he became blind, and how he ‘recovered his life’ once he got a guide dog. He brought along his current dog, which was immaculately behaved, and explained how you have to be matched to the dog, and how he has to be trained to voice. This can take upto six months. Living in Worksop, Steve said his dog can take him to over 20 places in town, just by audible command, and that is just after having him for 12 months.
The second speaker of the month was John Millin. He gave a talk based around his upbringing in Glasgow, and his father’s exploits with Lord Lovat’s Number 4 Army Commando. He told us many anecdotes incuding why his father became known as the ‘Mad Piper of Normandy’. He was asked by Lord Lovat to put himself into great personal danger, by piping the commandos ashore at Normandy, and he marched with the Commandos and Lord Lovat to Pegasus Bridge, to relieve Johnny Howard’s, parachutists. Following his exploits, the French put up a statue to his father Bill Millin, in Normandy.
If you are interested in joining Retford Men’s Probus, please email secretary Dennis Beevers at dennis@denboy.plus.com and he will give you more details.