Melksham Probus Club

Melksham Probus Club held their monthly lunch meeting at the Kings Arms Hotel on Tuesday 5th March.

   The after-lunch speakers were Mr John Maciver and Mr John Box who gave the members an excellent insight into the running of the R.N.L.I.

   The organisation was founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary who lived in the Isle of Man. He witnessed many shipwrecks around the Manx coast and saved many lives with the help of the local population. 

In the early 19th century there was an average of 1,800 shipwrecks around the coasts of Great Britain every year. The rescue boats then were rowing boats to be followed by steam power in 1890. Motor boats were introduced in 1905 and inflatables in 1963. Today the fleet consists of over 350 lifeboats of various types based around 19,000 miles of coastline of Great Britain and Southern Ireland.

The cost of running the service averages £484,000 per day and is 100% funded by the charity, with no government help except gift aid. The R.N.L.I. prefer this situation as there is little chance of government interference and with their vast experience, they feel they are in a much better position to meet the requirements of sea and river rescue.

There are 4,700 volunteer lifeboat crew who are supported at Poole and all Probus members are cordially invited to pay a visit.

After this most informative talk, there were many questions asked and a vote of thanks was given by new Probus chairman Mr Phil McMullen.

Probus lunches are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Kings Arms Hotel. New members are always welcome. Please contact the secretary Mr Kevin Hayes on 01225 360052.