KELLING PROBUS CLUB- CHAPLAIN AND CHIPS!!

39 MEMBERS and 1 Guest enjoyed their usual third Thursday in the month luncheon meeting at the Pheasant Hotel in Kelling on 21st February. Our speaker should have been Mr Mathew Knowles, talking about the Stock Exchange, but he sent his sincere apologies for withdrawing because of his business commitments in Stockholm.

The Rev Canon Paul Atkins, thought he was the luncheon guest of Mr Alan Chapman, our Chairman, however he very quickly found himself as the speaker of the day. No such thing as a free luncheon !!

Mr David Peters, the Hotel's Proprietor arranged a very tasty lunch of Chicken and Leek Pie, accompanied by Chips (very Sinful), to be followed by Apple and Rhubarb Crumble with Custard and then Coffee. So we enjoyed CHAPLAIN AND CHIPS!! Many of the members knew Paul well because of his ministry in this area. He spoke about ''Chaplaincy Work". After time spent working in London industry and Theological College, Paul was ordained at Norwich Cathedral in 1965 and has spent all his time ministering in Norfolk. He explains that whereas a Parish Priest would cover a geographical area, a Chaplain would look after people, for example being the Chaplain in the armed forces.

PAUL has spent most of his time as a Chaplain to, TocH, Air cadets, Schools, Mothers' Union, the Missions to Seamen (now missions to Seafarers) Prisons and Theatres, but not all at the same time. His talk was full of amusing incidents or not so amusing incidents!
When Chaplain to the Missions to Seamen and visiting the fourteen Lightships, twice he missed his step when stepping off the support vessel and nearly plunged into a watery grave.

When Chaplain to Gt Yarmouth Theatres, he was in trouble because Fiona Richmond (The Lady friend of Paul Raymond) put on a topless beauty competition and it became embarrassing for him. He spoke very well of Leslie Crowther who was very, very helpful with charity fund raising.

Genial John Durdin gave Paul an enthusiastic vote of thanks and hoped that Paul didn't recognise too many of the members' faces from his time spent with the prison service. Paul was greatly thanked for standing in at such short notice and giving a wonderful presentation, which was full of life and very interesting.

Mr Alan Chapman reminded members that our next meeting, our AGM, will be on Thursday 20th March at The Pheasant Hotel.