AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE club that helps retired or semi-retired men connect and learn has begun its latest year.
For the town’s Probus branch has officially marked the start of its new calendar at its 54th Annual General Meeting, held at the Broadoak and Smallshaw Community Centre.
Cliff Hall was formally inducted as its chairman for the 2026/27 term.
A resident of Stalybridge and a retired local government officer, he has been an active member of the club for the past eight years.
And as he stepped into the role, he announced his nominated charity for his year of office will be the Willow Wood Hospice, a vital local facility providing specialist palliative care.
The club was originally formed in April 1971 following a joint meeting between the Rotary Clubs of Ashton-under-Lyne and Dukinfield and Stalybridge.
Originally named the Ashton-under-Lyne and District PROBEX Club, it launched with 23 founding members meeting at the Stalybridge Masonic Hall.
In 2005, it updated its name to the Ashton-under-Lyne and District Probus Club to officially align with the International Probus network.
Caption: High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mark Llewellin, joins members of the Ashton-under-Lyne and District Probus Club.
Probus is a strictly non-political and non-sectarian organisation focused on fellowship and lifelong learning.
The standard of guest speakers for the new term has already set a high bar.
At a recent meeting, the club welcomed Mark Llewellin, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.
He gave an engaging talk detailing the historic and modern responsibilities of the High Sheriff’s role.
He also shared his personal passion for maritime travel, offering members a fascinating short history of the iconic Cunard cruise line and his own experiences at sea.
The Ashton-under-Lyne and District Probus Club continues to provide a vital social hub for retired and semi-retired professional men in the local area, offering a diverse programme of speakers, events, and companionship.
It meets regularly on the first and third Thursday of each month at the Broadoak and Smallshaw Community Centre, on Broadoak Road in Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8RS.