One could say that the members of the Narberth and District Probus Club had a whale of a time at their July meeting when Sir Robert Delpeche came to talk on the work of the IWC. Introduced by John Gibbin, the president, Sir Robert's career had been varied to say the least; born in the Seychelles of French parents, educated at St. Louis College and Exeter University, serving in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force between 1941 and 1966. A civilian career of no less proportions has seen Robert as education officer in Hong Kong between 1972 and 1979, in December of that same year being appointed Ambassador to the Court of St James in London. Now 85 years of age, Robert is still talking to groups about his work with the International Whaling Commission and Narberth Probus were one of the lucky recipients of his erudition. Robert's knowledge of whales is all encompassing, beginning with the earliest Inuit hunters who hunted the whale to subsist, through the Basque fishermen who pursued the whale in small boats using hand thrown harpoons to the commercial whaling of the 19th and 20th centuries. Robert explained how the countries of Western Europe hunted the whale for its blubber to provide the oil for domestic use, the bones for knife handles, ladies corsets and scientific instruments etc. The Americans began using whales for target practice with the explosive headed harpoon and in 1946 the Whaling Commission was born with the purpose of persuading the whaling nations to limit their catch and ultimately to end whaling. Sir Robert Delpeche told how in 1984 the British proposed very low quotas and the Japanese walked out, but in the 10 years from 1979 to 1989 the IWC membership grew to 80 countries and a moratorium on commercial whaling was called for and in two years it had almost ceased. The Americans introduced the Macmanus Act to stop all commercial whaling, but the Japanese, Norwegians, Icelanders and Russians continue to flout the rules and the IWC employs 'spies' to keep watch on harbours throughout the world. Offering a vote of thanks, Col. Richard Gilbertson, an old friend of Sir Robert, said how much the membership had learned about work of the IWC and the difficulties encountered in persuading nations to stop whaling. Richard thanked his friend for his erudition and courage in facing up to those who would like to return to the old free for all. We have much to thank the IWC for, he said, without which the whales would be largely extinct. The president, John Gibbin, added his thanks to Sir Robert for his most interesting talk and reminded the membership that the programme for the August meeting would consist of a picture quiz entitled 'How well do you know you Dyfed?' The secretary reported that there would be a visit to Hilton Court Gardens in September, and asked all members to remind their friends in the retired professional and business men fraternity that the club offers monthly meetings at the Nantyffin Motel, with consistently fine lunches, followed by interesting talks on a wide variety of topics. Those not in touch with members should contact the secretary, John Mathias, on (01834) 861315.
