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As you know our club has been exceedingly lucky in having a first class website for the last 11 years. In fact I think that you would find it hard to show me a similar type website which is better. Other Probus club members must have been really green with envy.
Our fantastic website has been down to the hard work and dedication of Rob C who has been the webmaster for almost the whole of our Probus club existence. One of the super features has been the fact that it is always, yes always up to date, something Rob has always impressed on me as vitally important, so that members will return to the site knowing they can rely on latest information.
If something is submitted to Rob it is put on the website within hours and certainly within 24 hours. Rob has often gone to extreme lengths at times to update the website, none more so than when in some remote area of
The layout, colour, attractiveness, content, accessibility and ease of navigation of the website have meant that if we wanted we could have been a completely paperless club.
As it appears that there is nobody in the club prepared or with the ability to take on the job of webmaster, the committee have been exploring various other options. The present thinking is that we might be able to communicate via Facebook and this is being explored.
Another thank you to Rob and that is for arranging the Zoom meeting on Thursday 17 December 2020 at which some 25 club members joined in. President Alan chaired his first club meeting and first virtual meeting of the club. As to be expected it was a little chaotic but, various subjects were discussed in our 40 minute slot and it was good to see members again. Maybe it will be possible to have more virtual meetings in the New Year including a speaker especially, as meeting in person looks no nearer yet.
Thank you Rob from me and the rest of the club members, for all your hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and perseverance in maintaining the Portland Probus Club website, I am sure that we are going to miss it. I know I am.
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It was not as if this was going to be our first excursion from the house since lockdown as a couple of weeks previously we had ventured up to Chippenham to spend a weekend with our daughter. Anyway after weighing up the pros and cons we decided that we would go.T
To be honest the extended week end break had been planned since last year. Although our original reason of going to Symonds Yat had passed, we actually fancied having an extended week end break, especially as neither Mo or I had visited this area and the weather looked good.
Our first night away was booked in the Queens Head pub in Monmouth. We arrived early afternoon via Chepstow Racecourse and Tintern Abbey. We thought that Monmouth or Trelynwy (we were in Wales after all) is a lovely town with some delightful buildings, many of which are grade 1 listed buildings including the mediaeval Gatehouse on the R. Monnow Bridge, Shire Hall and Great Castle House. Many buildings are occupied by Haberdashers school.
Monmouth is associated with a number of famous people including Henry V, Admiral H. Nelson and Charles Rolls (Rolls Royce).
The main
Symonds Yat some 7 miles from Monmouth is also situated on the River Wye but, is in
The picture post card that you often see is at a viewpoint some 5/6 miles away by road from where we were staying. The Yat’s horseshoe bend and stunning views of South Hereford and the
There is an east and a west side of Symonds Yat depending on which side of the river Wye you are situated. Bridges are few here and to cross the river there is a Forestry Commission suspension bridge built in 1957 although renovated in 1997 and 2 hand pulled ferries, alternatively it is a 5 mile road trip.
We so enjoyed our 3 day visit which was really relaxing and have already booked to go again in 2021 especially as we as we did not do Ross on Wye justice.
In fact when we got home the 4 day break felt like we had been on a 2 week holiday especially, after being cooped up at home for over 6 months. If you have not been to this area it is thoroughly recommended place to visit.
In case you are wondering the answer is ‘The Great Gadsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The question of course was ‘what are you reading at present’?
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