MEMBERS of an Ellesmere social club which brings together older people from a wide range of occupations will be meeting face-to-face next week for the first time in 18 months.

The Probus Club was forced to abandon its monthly gatherings last year because of Covid lockdown restrictions, but has managed to keep going with regular Zoom meetings and by publishing an online news-letter.

Now, meetings will resume at Ellesmere’s Comrades’ Club from Thursday, October 7 with more women members taking part after signing-up during the pandemic.

“We recently undertook a ‘straw poll’ among many of our members and it was clear that that the majority are happy to resume face-to-face meetings,” said club president Jeremy Stretton.

"We are also hoping it will still be possible for those unable to be present to join us via Zoom.

"We’ve all been looking forward to this for so long and we also want to extend the warmest of welcomes to potential new members.

"Sadly, we have lost several long-serving members since we last met in person, but our membership is still close to 50 and we would like to recruit more.

“Our meetings are a great opportunity for people to get together, enjoy a coffee, make new friends, enjoy an interesting talk on a subject they might know nothing about.

"Our first woman member joined shortly before the pandemic began and three others have been welcomed since, so we’ve become more diverse."

The first meeting back at the Comrades Club will include a presentation by the Army’s Engagement Team with a comprehensive programme of speakers lined up for future meetings, including an RSPCA vet and the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion.

Meetings are held on the first and third Thursday in winter months and on the first Thursday of the month in summer.

All meetings start with coffee from 10am, business starts at 10.30am.

Next year, the club hopes to resume its annual outing in June and its annual autumn lunch.

For more information visit the club’s website: http://www.probusclubellesmere.org.uk/community/probus-club-ellesmere-13271/home