MEMBERS welcomed back Chairman Mike Taylor who then opened our meeting on Monday, September 21.

A number of members were congratulated on recent birthdays and as a further reminder of how time flies, arrangements for the Christmas lunch were agreed!

Unfortunately Bernard Mills who was going to talk on the history of Kays of Worcester, was unwell. Fortunately, Frank Townsend, a Malvern Probus member, kindly agreed to step in at short notice. Frank is a family history specialist and he gave us a detailed and fascinating insight into his research on a distant family member, the story of an Ancient Mariner.

Spurred by an entry in a family bible, Frank slowly unravelled the story of Robert Humphrey Ivey. Born in Fowey in 1829; apprenticed at the age of 12 on sailing ships; passing exams to become a Master Mariner and finally, at the age of 32, becoming a captain. He sailed to the US, then to China once the tea trade took off. His numerous challenges included facing down a mutiny and delivering his wife’s baby on board ship in the middle of the Atlantic!

Patient and painstaking investigation has yielded a remarkable amount of detail, an excellent example of how his story has given us a better understanding of history.

Our own members will again be taking the floor at the next meeting on October 5 when we will learn more of their working lives.

Our meetings are held in the Abbey Hotel. Tea and coffee is available from 10am and the meeting begins at 10.30am, finishing by noon but discussions continuing in the bar. Membership of the Probus Club of Malvern is open to retired business and professional men. Guests are very welcome so do come along and join us. For further information please e-mail the Programme Secretary. t.batesworc@btinternet.com

TONY BATES