It is the name chosen for a non-sectarian, non-political luncheon club for retired professional and business men. The first Probus Club was set up by a group of ex-Rotarians in Caterham, Surrey, in 1966. The idea caught on and today Probus Clubs are to be found in many parts of the English-speaking world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India.

Founded in 1972 with fourteen members, the Probus Club of Sevenoaks grew rapidly, with aims and activities similar to the Caterham club but by its own choice unaffiliated to any national organisation. There are two lunch groups: each group meets at the Sevenoaks Community Centre at Bat & Ball which is reserved for our lunches on the first Thursday and second Monday of each month. Members pay for lunches at cost price and there is an annual subscription, currently £25, to cover administrative costs.

The monthly lunches , which are preceded by an opportunity for conversation at the bar and followed by a talk lasting twenty to thirty minutes, are the key activity but the size of the Club makes possible a programme of optional events including visits to theatres and concerts, day trips to France and longer continental holidays, in all of which wives and friends are welcome. There are also walks, discussion groups and a golf competition for members.

The underlying principle behind all these activities is that they are organised by the members themselves. So while the actual preparation and serving of the meals is contracted out to caterers, the bar and all outside activities are run by members and each one is encouraged to play some part in them or to contribute in other ways.

If you are not a member and would like to find out whether PROBUS is for you, do E-mail us at: office@sevenoaks-probus.org.uk  We may be able to arrange for you to attend a lunch as a guest.