Activities
Functions
President’s lunch
The highlight of the Probus year is the President’s lunch and this year saw us return to the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne on Wednesday 26th March 2025.
Annual picnic
Traditionally the annual summer picnic is hosted in a member’s private garden. Typically some 20 members and partners enjoy this popular event each year.
Christmas lunch
This year’s Christmas Lunch will be held at our usual luncheon venue, Crowborough Beacon Golf Club on Wednesday 3rd December 2025.
What’s On
All 2026 Functions are listed on the What’s On page of this website with full details including event organisers listed in the Calendar of Events in the members area. These are also regularly advertised by broadcast e-mails and included in all monthly luncheon notices.
Outings
Outings to varied and fascinating places are enjoyed in the company of wives, partners and friends throughout the year. Outings can be by train, coach or members’ own transport.
In 2025 our outings have included a trip to Wings Aviation Museum Balcombe, a guided tour of the Drapers Livery Hall in the City of London followed by lunch at The George and Vulture – a traditional City chop house and a trip to Newhaven to visit ESCC’s Energy Recovery Facility.
Various volunteer members take turns to arrange outings which are co-ordinated by Roger Benison who may be contacted via the Contact page.
Outings scheduled for 2026 include a January trip to another livery hall – the Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers and it is hoped we can schedule a tour of the House of Commons hosted by local MP Nus Ghani later in the Spring. All Outings are listed on the What’s On page and detailed in the Members area of this website. These are also regularly advertised by broadcast e-mails and included in all monthly luncheon notices.
Walking Groups
There are three regular monthly walking groups, one on the 1st Tuesday of each month, one on the 1st Friday of each month and the third on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Individual walking routes are chosen with a range of walking abilities in mind and are conducted throughout the year. All walks normally conclude with a stop for lunch at a village pub. 2026 dates are published on this website’s What’s On pages.Please contact the named organisers for further information.
Before joining any Club excursion, event, activity or walk members are reminded that it is their personal responsibility to decide on the level of their own capabilities, those of their partners and guests, and as to whether they should participate.
All participants do so at their own risk and, by participating, acknowledge the Ashdown Probus Club has no liability in the event of any incident or accident.
1st Tuesday Walking Group
The Tuesday walking group meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month. The group members take turns to research and organise a round walk of around 5 to 6 miles starting and finishing at a pub where we have lunch. We generally have around 8 walkers.
If you would like to join us and be added to the circulation list please contact / speak to Tom Hutchinson and he will arrange for you to join an initial group walk.
1st Friday Walking Group
The 1st Friday Walking group was formed over 25 years ago by a bunch of enthusiastic walkers who wished to share their love of the Sussex countryside.
Walks are arranged and led by members of the group and are usually between 5 and 6 miles, rarely strenuous, always ending at a pub for lunch and a pint, returning home by early afternoon to sleep the exertions off. This particularly applies to some members who are still walking into their eighties.
If you are interested in joining this group, then please advise the current co-ordinator Mike Roberts who may be contacted via the Contact page in the members’ secure area.
3rd Thursday Walking Group
The Thursday walking group meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month and the group is open to members, wives and partners. New members are always very welcome.
Our walks are usually around the 5 mile mark and take in amazing countryside in the Kent and Sussex area. We take it in turns to lead a walk and always end up at a friendly pub for liquid refreshment and lunch for those wishing to stay.
Any terrain incline pains are soon overcome by friendly banter and of course the drink at the finishing post also helps!!
In a nutshell, we get to see wonderful countryside, in good company and, to top it all, healthy exercise.
This Group is proving very popular at present. Sadly, therefore, we cannot for the time being take in new members. If, however, you would like to be notified when a vacancy occurs, please let the organiser Andrew Fermor have your name and email address. Andrew may be contacted via the Contact page.
Croquet
Over the past two years we have experienced popular, enjoyable and successful seasons. Our first matches this year were in May, and we met each month through to October. Among our players were past presidents, members, widows, wives and partners. Coffee, Tea and home-made lemon drizzle cake are always available. Generally we enjoyed the best of English summer weather and at our last meeting, despite some light rain, our players chose to stay-on for extra games.
This inexpensive and very social activity will commence again in May 2026 (£10 per person) with all dates published in the What’s On pages of this website. All members and their wives/partners are invited to join the group on the second Tuesday of each month through to October for a gentle, morning’s activity. The venue is Royal Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club, Calverley Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2SH. All necessary equipment is provided with coaching available if required.
Members interested in joining the Croquet group should contact the organiser Michael Sander via the Contact page.
Golf
Ashdown Probus Club has an active Golf section with Spring and Autumn meetings arranged annually at various golfing venues around the South east. Over recent years we have visited London Beach Hotel, Tenterden, Tudor Park Marriott Hotel, Maidstone, Weald of Kent Golf Club, Headcorn and Broome Park Hotel and Country Club, Canterbury.
The Spring meeting in 2025 was once again contested at London Beach Hotel, Tenterden and in late August we enjoyed a return to Tudor Park, Maidstone. 2026 dates and venues will be published in the What’s On pages and the separate Golf Society section of this website where full details of all events can be found. Members interested in joining the Golf section should contact the Chairman, Tom Hutchinson via the Contact page.
