THE Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane were the guests of honour at a recent meeting of the Probus Club of Basingstoke.

The club met on Tuesday, February 13, when the mayor, Cllr David Leeks, and his wife, Amanda, joined the members for lunch.

During the meeting, speaker Jenny Mallin gave an insight into how the BBC Television Centre was designed and what TV production was like in the 1970s.

READ MORE: 'Rewarding' roles available to help criminals pay back to the community

Basingstoke Gazette: The Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke with Probus President, Dr Jeff Grover (centre)She talked through her experiences gained over seven years working at the BBC Television Centre at White City.

Memories were stirred as Probus members enjoyed this nostalgic view of a simpler life when the only decision to be made about what to watch on the “telly” was weather your choice was on the BBC or ITV.

The Probus Club then made a donation to the mayor’s appeal which is raising money for Shopmobility Basingstoke, Citizens Advice Basingstoke and Citizens Advice Tadley.

Paul Flint, the publicity officer of the Probus Club of Basingstoke, said: “It has been a tradition that the club invites the current mayor to be our guest at lunch and then donate to the mayor's charity appeal.”

 

The Probus Club of Basingstoke was formed in 1979 and today has a membership around 40 from a wide variety of backgrounds.

They meet on the second Tuesday of most months for lunch at Test Valley Golf Club, Micheldever Road.

On the fourth Thursday of most months, there is a social drink and lunch held at the Queens College Arms at Pamber End.

There are also social occasions and trips throughout the year where wives or partners are invited.

If you are interested, find out more information at probusbasingstoke.club.