Welcome
Budleigh Salterton Probus Club
Do you live in or around Budleigh Salterton?
Are you a retired businessman or professional?
Yes, but you still want to meet people and discover new things.
Probus is a social club especially for people like you.
We meet twice a month for coffee and a talk by a knowledgeable presenter, followed maybe by a drink or two.
NEW!
Coming up! The Probus Chairman’s winter lunch at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth on the 19th November.
For photos of social events in 2025 – click here
The Meetings Programme for September to December 2026 has now been Announced! See here.
Coming up:
Thursday 19th November, Winter luncheon at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth
Thursday 9th December. Mining Is Still Relevant with Robin Keir.
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Regenerative farming by Amelia Greenway
Courtesy of Amelia and Jason Greenway
Amelia Greenway is an award-winning, first-generation tenant farmer who, along with her husband Jason, champions nature-friendly regenerative agriculture at Springwater Farm in Devon, England.
In 2023, they made headlines as the youngest first-generation tenants to secure a prestigious National Trust tenancy, spanning over 900 acres on the historic Killerton Estate near Exeter.
Their innovative, eco-conscious model earned them Tenant Farmer of the Year at the South West Farming Awards.
Working Harmoniously with Nature
Instead of conventional or generic organic farming methods, Amelia took a unique approach to landscape regeneration by utilising rare, hardy breeds that function as ecosystem engineers.
Amelia actively supports the Nature Friendly Farming Network and continues to use her platform to advocate for sustainable food systems, high animal welfare, and British farming’s future. You can learn more about their mission and local produce directly from the Springwater Farm Official Website.
WW2 in Oundle with Michael Downes
During WW2 Oundle was a hub for military personnel, particularly American aircrews stationed at nearby airfields, and it hosted a resettlement camp for demobbed soldiers. Oundle School played a major role, with over 2,000 members serving and 272 listed in its memorial book.
Thursday 16th April 2026, ‘Silver Greyhound – Diplomatic Courier’ with Peter Hearn
Peter Hearn started his talk by giving a synopsis of his career starting as a navigator in the Royal Air Force and ending as a Queen’s Messenger.
The Corps of the now Kings’s Messengers are couriers employed by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They hand-carry secret and important documents to British embassies, high commissions, and consulates around the world. Messengers generally travel in plain clothes in business class on scheduled airlines with their consignment.
For reasons of state secrecy, the diplomatic bag does not go through normal airport baggage checks and must not be opened, X-rayed, weighed, or otherwise investigated by customs of a foreign state, airline security staff or anyone else.
Thursday 2nd April, ‘Bungle in the Jungle’ with Ken McKechnie
Ken McKechnie is a geologist by training and gave a very interesting talk on the Bre-X gold mining scandal, which remains one of the largest mining frauds in history. Later in his career he managed a gold mine in Zimbabwe and after a crash in the gold price became a novelist writing several books related to mining that are available here: https://redgatebooks.co.uk
If this is what you like, you are in the right place!
