Ampthill and District Probus Club

PROBUS UK

Many retired professional or business men want and are able to remain active and wish to maintain a social network with others who have similar interests. Probus clubs are organizations for those who have retired from their profession or business . Each Probus club is a luncheon club, but each is different and our club pursues many other activities as you will discover whilst you peruse the pages of our web.

ORIGIN

The name Probus was derived from the words PROfessional and BUSiness embracing any person who has had some measure of responsibility in such fields as commerce, industry, or education.

The first Probus club for active retirees was formed in 1966 by the Rotary Club of Caterham, England to allow retired professionals to continue to meet together for fellowship. The previous year, the Rotary Club of Welwyn Garden City, England, formed the "Campus Club" that had the same purpose. The two soon merged and flourished under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Bromsgrove, Birmingham, England.

Due to the success of these two clubs further clubs were promoted through Rotary in adjacent towns. As a result Rotary International British Isles were informed and a promotional pamphlet was established urging other Rotary Clubs to form further Probus Clubs. There are now approximately 1,700 clubs in Great Britain. Rotary clubs are no longer involved in setting up Probus clubs and the two now act independently.

PROBUS ACTIVITIES

Probus clubs are formed to provide social events and schedule speakers to keep members up to date with community issues and happenings. Many members have formed smaller interest groups for hobbies such as sports, entertainment, bridge playing, fishing, travel, computers, etc.

Probus clubs have no central governing body but, Probus Centres have been established internationally by country to disseminate information and assist clubs. Offices are staffed largely by volunteers and operating costs are met by member contributions.