After an excellent lunch, provided by the chef and staff of Mr. and Mrs. Murrow's motel at Llandissilio, the president, Derrick Charles, opened the 31st annual general meeting of the Narberth Probus Club.

Welcoming the members, Derrick said how fast the time had flown and it seemed but yesterday that he had received the chain of office from John Mathias.

A very happy presidency had been saddened by the loss of three stalwart members during the year, Lyn Jones, a member for over 25 years, and Peter Wills and Fred Salway Smith; all would be sadly missed, but fondly remembered.

Calling upon the secretary to present his report, Michael Garner opened his review on an upbeat note, stating the importance of the fellowship of the members which made it such a welcoming club. This, with those who regularly fulfil the responsibilities of office in an unassuming but most professional way, give the members that feeling of belonging to a well run Probus.

Lunch always begins with a special grace composed by the club's almoner to fit the occasion, some light-hearted, some solemn as the day merits. He also sends in all reports of the club's activities to the Narberth and Whitland Observer, where members can keep up with the local news. Bill Harwood, now in his 90s, helps the treasurer, Peter Spacey, with the monthly raffle, to which the members give generously, allowing for an occasional treat or a reimbursement for the speaker's travel costs.

John Wretham, the resident retired electrical engineer, takes care to see that the visiting speaker has the sound system set correctly before the talk; John also sees to that the photographic record is kept for the club archives.

The non-office bearing members give unstintingly of their time and expertise. John Gibbin was a county councillor for many years and his advice has been invaluable, whilst Bill Ratcliffe's knowledge of agrarian Wales is extensive, as befits his experience on the board of the Royal Welsh.

Les Nixon, as assistant secretary, organised the programme of speakers, no mean task, trying to cater for the wide interests of the members and suit everyone's taste.

It is, of course, the club secretary, who is responsible for keeping the minutes of all the meetings which bind the committee together, an absolute necessity for the smooth running of the club, giving the president advance notice of any problems before the meeting and helping the vice president when the president is absent, so oiling the many facets of club life.

The president, Derrick Charles, thanked the secretary for his report and moved on to the election of officers, calling on his vice-president, Hugh Lewis, to step forward to receive the collar of office and proceed with the election of the officers for the Probus year ahead.

Hugh, now president, presented Derrick with his ex-president's tie and lapel badge and declared that the following nominations for the new committee had been accepted.

Vice president - Michael Garner; treasurer - Peter Spacey in residence; secretary - John Chambers; assistant secretary - Max Capes; almoner - Ken Kendall in residence.

Non-office bearing members are Bill Ratcliffe and Hubert Phillips.

Closing the meeting, the president reminded members that the following month's speaker would be Richard Thomas on the subject of Cardigan Castle on November 24, 12.30 for 1 pm.

Wishing everyone a safe journey home, Hugh said that he was looking forward to serving the members with the efficiency and bonhomie of his predecessors.