Last Thursday (22nd November), the members and guests of Omagh and Ladies’ District Probus Club gathered together in the Silverbirch Hotel for a celebratory lunch. Also present were Howard Thornton, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh Council, Paddy McGowan, President of Omagh Men’s Probus, Michael McCrossan, President of Omagh Rotary Club and Anita Robinson, columnist for the Irish News and Guest Speaker for the occasion.
Omagh was the first Ladies’ Probus Club in Ireland and was founded at the instigation of Marion Mitchell. At the lunch, the cake was cut by President Zoe Reid and one of the founding members, Ethel Cuthbertson.
Following an excellent lunch, Howard Thornton spoke to those present and reflected on their achievements throughout the years, mentioning, in particular, the very successful All-Ireland Probus Rally hosted by the Omagh Clubs in 2017. Speaking on behalf of the Council, he passed on their congratulations and wished Omagh & District Ladies’ Probus Club every success for the future. These sentiments were echoed by Paddy McGowan and Michael McCrossan in their speeches.
Zoe Reid then outlined the history of Omagh and Ladies’ Probus and thanked Mary Keane, for all her hard work in maintaining the archives of the club. She then introduced our guest speaker, Anita Robinson. Anita has spoken to the members before at one of their monthly meetings and everyone was looking forward to her return. Her witty and wry observations on life in general are always highly entertaining. On this occasion, she reflected on Christmases past, the build-up to Christmas and how Christmas can often be in reality. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
If there is anyone who is interested in joining Probus, or coming along to a meeting to see what it is all about, the next meeting will be on Thursday, January 3, 2019. Please feel free to come along. A warm welcome waits for you.