Torbay's Probus Clubs reports

Probus clubs have been busy in Torquay in recent weeks.

Eric Walkom, chairman of the Babbacombe and St. Marychurch Probus Club, came to the rescue at the weekly meeting when the expected speaker was unwell. 

Eric is a naval historian and he provided a harrowing WW1 story from his archives about three British cruisers which were sunk within one hour by a German U-boat with the loss of 1,452 lives. 

In his illustrated talk, Eric described how in the early days of the conflict the 12,000-ton cruisers HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy had been crewed largely by reservists plus 50 young cadets from Dartmouth Naval College.

The three ships were on patrol in the North Sea in September 1914 without the usual destroyer escorts due to bad weather. They were spotted by the submarine U9, which fired its torpedoes at each ship in turn before any support could arrive. 

Although war had been declared, three British fishing boats were operating in the area and together with rescue ships which arrived from Harwich, they took over 600 survivors back to Lowestoft.

The Babbacombe and St. Marychurch Probus Club meets each Thursday morning at the Mary Alexander Room of St. Matthias church in Wellswood, where new members and guests are always welcome.

Torquay Probus Club started the year with David Mc Veigh giving an enthusiast and most informative talk, on the History of Navigation. The following week Jeremy Wilson brought us the very interesting History of Tea.

Robert Hesketh then brought his Story of Devon's Bridges to life, sharing his pictures from many years of research involving over 5000 rivers and waterways in this county.

Everything from fords with stepping stones, to clapper bridges, arch, beam, truss and suspension.The last meeting in January, was presented by club member David Crowson`s intriguing research into Gobekli Tepe and Agriculture, Including some of the very earliest Neolithic civilizations and Megaliths ever discovered. The Probus Club of Torquay, whose members are mostly retired professional and

business men, meet every Thursday morning at 10 am 50 weeks of the year at the Livermead House Hotel.

The club welcomes enquiries for new membership, through the secretary Alan Gardiner on 01803 606227 or Alan Hooper Pro. on 01803 329247