Category: 2026

Probus Club AGM Wednesday 14th January 2026

Omagh Probus Club held its Annal General Meeting on Wednesday 14th January 2026 in Omagh Golf Club with 14 members present. Following a welcome by the President, the secretary read the minutes of the last AGM. In his report on 2025 Club Secretary, Alistair Orr, noted that the Club had met 27 times with an average attendance of 14, and speakers drawn in equal numbers from the ranks of our own membership and invited guests. Mr Felim O’Neill, in his capacity as out-going President, thanked members for their loyalty and support during the two years in which he had occupied the Chair. He said it had been an honour and privilege to lead the Club and hoped that it would continue to have the warmth and camaraderie which characterised weekly meetings during his time in office.

In the election of Officers for 2026 Mr Aidan Quinn was elected President and Mr Oliver Loughran, Vice-President. Mr Alistair Orr and Mr Jim Graham were re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively and Mr Jim McBain retained his role as Archivist, with responsibility for the Club website and press briefings. Under Club business it was agreed to raise the annual sub from £40.00 to £50.00 and continue to meet weekly in the Golf Club at 10.30 am each Wednesday. Discussion on matters relating to a programme for 2026 including outings and annual events was deferred.

Probus Meeting 7 January 2026: Speaker Mr Gareth Hayden

Wintery weather on Tuesday 6th January introduced a degree of uncertainty about whether to go ahead or cancel. In the event the President decided to resume after the Christmas recess and 9 members braved the conditions to provide an audience for the guest speaker, Mr Gareth Hayden, Lay Pastor in Omagh Methodist Church.

Gareth had been invited to bring a New Year Message and share something of his own background and journey of faith. Born in Lurgan his first job after he left school was in a local linen factory which provided tablecloths and sheets for the “White House” – the one in Portrush!  Aged 24 he joined the RUC and after training in Police College in Enniskillen had a varied career in uniform. Gareth’s time in the RUC spanned “the Troubles” furnishing some amusing anecdotes and sobering stories.

A committed Christian from his youth, Gareth was an active member of the Police Fellowship and on retirement from the Force became a qualified Lay Preacher.  His New Year message was taken from Proverbs 2. V 1-11 in which all are encouraged to aspire to wisdom and acquire knowledge of what is right and just and fair.
Gareth was thanked for his reflections and thoughtful talk by club member Jim McBain