The November meeting took place at the Expanse Hotel on Thursday when Chairman Cyril Dawson welcomed the speaker Mike Wilson and his wife Diane, a guest Philip Peacock and five members of Filey Probus Club.
At this season of Remembrance it was appropriate that the speaker should speak about Talbot House and Toc H. In December 1915 two army chaplains Rev Philip “Tubby” Clayton and Rev Nevil Talbot set up a rest house in Poperinge, a small Belgian town about 7 miles from Ypres. It was named Talbot House in memory of Nevil Talbot’s brother Gilbert who had been killed earlier in the war. It was open to men and officers and all rank was left outside the door. Through the army code of the time Talbot House became Toc H. It was an oasis of sanity where men could meet, chat, rest and drink tea, read, loan books and debate. There was a large walled garden where men could laze in the sun.
Its ethos was to promote a special feeling of fellowship, friendship, service, fair mindedness and religion. There was a chapel in the upper room where men could take communion.
In 1930 the property, which had been rented from a hop merchant, was bought by Lord Wakefield and this ensured its continuity. It was while researching the death of his grandfather in the war that Mike became fascinated by the place and its story. He and his wife became so enthusiastic, that they became volunteer wardens and spent sessions helping visitors who came from all over the world. They were especially useful as English speakers, interpreters, tea makers and in providing a welcome for all.
Bruce Petfield gave an appropriate vote of thanks for an interesting talk delivered in a lively style. The next meeting is the Ladies’ Christmas lunch on 8th December.
Further information about the club’s activities can be found on www.probusbridlington .weebly.com
Ken Tunstall
At this season of Remembrance it was appropriate that the speaker should speak about Talbot House and Toc H. In December 1915 two army chaplains Rev Philip “Tubby” Clayton and Rev Nevil Talbot set up a rest house in Poperinge, a small Belgian town about 7 miles from Ypres. It was named Talbot House in memory of Nevil Talbot’s brother Gilbert who had been killed earlier in the war. It was open to men and officers and all rank was left outside the door. Through the army code of the time Talbot House became Toc H. It was an oasis of sanity where men could meet, chat, rest and drink tea, read, loan books and debate. There was a large walled garden where men could laze in the sun.
Its ethos was to promote a special feeling of fellowship, friendship, service, fair mindedness and religion. There was a chapel in the upper room where men could take communion.
In 1930 the property, which had been rented from a hop merchant, was bought by Lord Wakefield and this ensured its continuity. It was while researching the death of his grandfather in the war that Mike became fascinated by the place and its story. He and his wife became so enthusiastic, that they became volunteer wardens and spent sessions helping visitors who came from all over the world. They were especially useful as English speakers, interpreters, tea makers and in providing a welcome for all.
Bruce Petfield gave an appropriate vote of thanks for an interesting talk delivered in a lively style. The next meeting is the Ladies’ Christmas lunch on 8th December.
Further information about the club’s activities can be found on www.probusbridlington .weebly.com
Ken Tunstall