A-maze-ing time for Probus Club

With no formal meeting in August, the Bognor Regis Men's Probus Club adjourned to the garden of the Fox Inn in Felpham for an informal gathering.

September started in fine style with the chairman's outing to Hampton Court Palace by coach.

Only a few mastered the maze, one of whom, appropriately, was chairman Neil Harris, who wore a badge to prove it for the rest of the day.

The club opened its autumn session with Peter Thompson, a Bognor Regis regeneration task force officer, as speaker.

He took with him a most professional presentation aimed at enhancing the investment potential of the town.

From North Bersted to the Regis Centre, Felpham to Fitzleet, the long-awaited ring road to the derelict Lec site and Asda's attempt to come in and challenge Tesco, he outlined the ultimate goal of creating a balanced development of housing, commerce, industry and leisure.

All this was to meet the needs of existing residents and trigger an upsurge in demand for good basic education and trade skills which in turn would lead to better wages in the workplace.

Consultation was ongoing and in depth with major developers St Modwen, Berkeley and Persimmon already on board, and the Bognor Regis campus of Chichester University and Bourne Leisure (Butlins) both bringing untold wealth to the town with students and holidaymakers in increasingly large numbers.

A whole range of other consultations were noted at community and individual level.

Peter managed this most evocative of subjects with authority and good humour and in the end even the most sceptical of members were inclined to agree this time round a conclusion could be reached which would go some way towards the revitalisation of the town.

The Bognor Regis Men's Probus Club meets in the Royal Norfolk Hotel every third Wednesday of the month except August.

It offers fellowship and friendship to all retired professional and business men, especially those recently retired who might be missing the companionship of the workplace.

Following social time at the bar there is a three-course meal, brief business and a speaker. Further information is available from club secretary Wilf Archer on 01243 821388.