Wednesday 16th March 2023: Club Archives: Mr Jim McBain
On Wednesday 16th March 2023 the Club archivist, Jim McBain brought in the club archives and spread them out for members to peruse. The archives are comprised of 14 Minute Books and 5 photo albums. Although the club was founded in 1979 minutes were not kept until 1984. For the next 22 years minutes were hand-written in hard back notebooks, all eight of which have survived, if a little worn by weekly usage. Beginning in 2006 minutes were word processed and print copies were kept in ring binders. Because of the ever present danger of ring binders springing open, it was decided in 2020 to have the loose-leaf minutes bound. This important work was entrusted to Ecclesville Printing Services who did a lovely job. The minutes from 2006 to 2018 are now available for study and inspection in six bound volumes, each volume containing two years of minutes.
The other part of the archive comprises 5 volumes of photographs with accompanying descriptions and commentaries. The first three volumes take the form of large “wedding albums” which collectively cover the years 1979 – 2014. The first of these contains mainly black and white photos and newspaper cuttings, often recording the election of a new President at Annual General Meetings. Gradually colour photos began to appear with longer commentaries on the persons and place depicted. This important legacy is due to the diligence of Bob Lingwood, and David Haddow, who together compiled the “wedding albums.”
In 2014 Jim McBain took over as Club archivist and effected a new modus operandi using A2 Art Folders. By and large each sheet in the A2 Folder covers one month in the history of the Club, with the focus on the guest speaker or speakers, accompanied by a summary of their talk. Big club events such as summer outings, Christmas Luncheons and Inter-Club Quiz competitions also feature along with obituaries.
The club also has a website which provides information on the history of the of the club, past Presidents, and former members It is updated weekly and provides access to an online archive. Omagh Ladies Probus have their own page on the website to keep members informed and up to date. For more information on Omagh Probus Club and how to join go to www.omaghprobusclub.org.uk
