Programme

Budleigh Salterton Probus Club

Here is the complete programme for September 2026 – June 2027.

For a look at the events that took place over 2023/4 click here, for 2024/5 click here and for 2025/6 click here.

 DateTitle/SpeakerTopic
03-Sep-2026Murky Waters
by John Hall
Followed by AGM		A Tudor Tale in the Otter Vale
The book covers the period
1540-1549 from the destruction of
Dunkeswell Abbey and Ottery’s
Chained Library to the Western
Rising, the siege of Exeter and the
Battle of Fenny Bridges.
17-Sep-2026Budleigh Community Workshop with Bill McDermottThe Budleigh Community Workshop
Trust is a Social Enterprise Charity
sustained by the commitment of
local volunteers who give
generously of their time and
practical expertise for the
betterment and wellbeing of the
Community. The team host an
range of activities: practical,
creative and social from the old fire
station
01-Oct-2026Memoirs of a District Judge with John Crosse
15-Oct-2026WW2 in Oundle with Michael DownesDuring 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.
05-Nov-2026Regenerative Farming with Amelia Greenway
19-Nov-2026No meeting
Winter luncheon at the Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth.
03-Dec-2026Mining Is Still Relevant with Robin Keir
17-Dec-2026Pot Pourri with Maggie DuffyXMAS LUNCH In House
07-Jan-2027Wild India with Simon Martyn Focus on wildlife – mainly mammals in the Indian subcontinent, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Visual presentation which includes the looking at the ecology of the landscape and local food chan.
21-Jan-2027TBC Twas Christmas Day in the Workhouse with Ken Atherton
04-Feb-2027TBC Aid to Ukraine with Andrew Canning
18-Feb-2027Estate Planning – Funeral Plans with Patrick HarlandTax. Care and Toy Boys
04-Mar-2027Trinity House with David ParsonsTrinity House is one of the UK’s oldest and most important maritime institutions. Founded in 1514 it is both a charity and the General Lighthouse Authority for the UK.
18-Mar-2027The Story of John Rattenbury with John DavidsonJack Rattenbury: Fisherman, Privateer, Pilot, Free Trader; Rob Roy of the West. Jack Rattenbury lived in Beer, Devon. During his lifetime he had an honest trade as a pilot and fishermen, was recruited into the Royal Navy on various occasions, and was actively involved in smuggling. This talk will look at his exciting career, both legitimate and on the wrong side of the law.
01-Apr-2027Confessions of a Novice Writer with Julian Mitchell40 minute slideshow presentation. Julian’s journey tp become a published author. The trials and tribulations of writing, getting his novels printed and sales so far. Keen to sell books after speaking.
15-Apr-2027Life and death of stars? with Harold Mead
06-May-2027Exeter Redcoat Guides with Jon BellThis talk gives a lively introduction to Exeter’s past. Events and characters that shaped the city’s history are introduced, as are surviving important buildings. In addition, there is also an amusing insight into what it’s like being a Redcoat Guide.
20-May-2027No meetingChairman’s lunch
03-Jun-2027An expert Guide to Air Traffic Confusion with Sqn Ldr Nick ClyburnSquadron Leader Nick Clyburn, a former Royal Air Force officer and air traffic controller, has over 40 years of experience in military and civilian air traffic management. Rising to senior command during his RAF career, he was later advised as a senior industry consultant, civilian air traffic controller, and manager. Born in Devon, he joined the RAF at 16 and operated in global conflicts, managing some of the world’s busiest airspaces while developing strategic safety policies. Nick also graduated from the UK Joint Command Staff College and studied airpower extensively.
17-Jun-2027Teaching in the Falklands with Wendy Reynolds

If you would like to come along to a meeting, do get in touch. No sign-up or commitment is required, just come.