New Mills probus club centenarian celebrates with friends

However centenarian Reg Southwell, who drives himself to club meetings every fortnight, was not the only one to celebrate a milestone that day.

Three other members also marked their birthdays - having all hit 90 in November and December.

Club secretary Margaret Ritchie is appealing for more members to come forward and join the 21 people who already attend.

She told how members - the youngest of whom are aged 67 - enjoyed regular ‘stimulating’ talks along with friendship.

She said: “Many of our members are retired rotarians - mainly professional and high-standing members of the community such as professors or academics as well as business people.

“It’s a gents’ club but they allow women in - they only do that because they’re running out of gents.

“Members are very interested in the talks we hold and very appreciative of the wide range of interests that our talks give them.”

Lectures given during meetings at New Mills Golf Club have included the Mughul Empire, the Antarctic expeditions, Penny Farthing races and Goyt Valley bombing raids during WW2.

Margaret added: “Younger members often give older ones a lift to attend.

“It’s a good community and we all look out for each other.”

The Probus Club of New Mills meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

For more information phone Margaret on 01663 308123.