2020

Tony Harrison – Obituary  

Tony was Speaker Secretary for the Probus Club of Sandbach from 2003 until 2020 arranging many prominent and superb speakers for an astonishing 17 years. He was passionate about his role and earned the respect of both club members and speakers who appreciated the professional way in which he made their appointments and how he made them so welcome on their arrival at the club. Tony’s Swan Song was the 10th March this year when he introduced two lady speakers and gave the vote of thanks. None of the members present realised that would be the last time they would see him. Sadly, Tony was to die on the 31st March – only three weeks following his very last meeting. He was 85 years of age. 

It goes without saying that this came as a tremendous shock to all members of the club.  A further shock was to occur when Tony’s wife Brenda also died three months later. Unfortunately, the last few years of Tony’s life were spent suffering from Parkinson’s. Despite this debilitating condition, Tony was never heard to complain about his lot – he just got on with it. 

The club decided that it would be appropriate to recogniseTony’s dedicated service by producing a certificate of thanks. The certificate was presented to Tony’s son Mike by the Club President Steve Parfitt on the 10th September 2020. 

31st March Sadly Tony Harrison passed away today, at Leighton Hospital. Tony will be sorely missed, he did an excellent job as Speaker Secretary and provided us with many fine speakers.

2019

20th December Dennis Fricker’s funeral will be held at Christ Church, Wheelock on 20th December at 11:15am. A family and close friends only service at the Crematorium follows at 12:15pm. A reception will then be held at Sandbach Cricket Club.

28th November Dennis Fricker passed away.

27th October Our President, Eddie Timmins, in support of the Royal Stoke University Hospital Coronary Unit, has organised a concert at the Victoria Hall, Bagnall Strett, Stoke on Trent, ST1 3AD from 7pm to 9:30pm which will reunite Foden’s Brass Band and the Rhos Orpheus Male Voice Choir. Tickets are £20 for the concert or £28 which includes a coach from Sandbach. Tickets can be purchased via www.atgtickets/stoke or from the first floor desk in Sandbach Library on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month between 9:30am and 11:30am. Further info can be obtained via Jackie Timmins on 01270 762157 or 07748 567735

14th August Bill Arnott’s funeral was held at 10:40am at Crewe Crematorium followed by light refreshments at Crewe Golf Club. The service was taken by Alan Warburton, a lay reader at St John’s Church where Bill was an active member. The euology was also read by Alan Warbuton and a poem of remembrance read by David Carr. There were a number of Probus members present along with the family and members of Crewe Golf Club where Bill had played regularly.

6th August Des Donnelly’s funeral was held at 11:30am in St Mary’s Church, Sandbach followed by a private committal with catering at the Wheatsheaf. The funeral was conducted by Revd Jane Colley, the euology was read by Des’s daughter Alison and a bible reading by Bob Mynett. There were a number of Probus members present, donations will be given to Macmillan Nurses and St Mary’s Church Sandbach.

30th July Bill Arnott passed away.

18th July Des Donnelly passed away. Des had been a member of Probus since 1995, he served as President from 1999-00, he was also Secretary for many years as well as the accounts examiner. His profession was as a Chartered Accountant  and his experience was highly valued by the Club.

18th July Graham Hannen’s funeral, was at 2:15pm at St. Mary’s Church, Sandbach and was followed by a private family committal at the Vale Royal Crematorium. Refreshments were provided at the Vicarage Restaurant, Holmes Chapel.  Graham was a very active member of Probus, having joined in 2008, served as President for the year 2010-11 and for the last 10 years had been the organiser of the day trips and the holiday. He was known for the meticulous preparation that made the trips so enjoyable and memorable. The family were joined at the funeral by representatives from the many organisations that Graham supported including over 30 Probus members and their wives. The eulogy was read by Godfrey Williams and “tribute to a friend” by Ray Lowe.

3rd July Graham Hannen passed away

28th June Jim Green’s funeral, was at 9am at the Vale Royal Crematorium, Nantwich and was followed by a refreshments at his daughter Sarah’s house in Haslington. Jim had been a Probus member since 2015 when him and Mary moved from Gloucestershire to be closer to family in Cheshire. Both Jim and Mary were keen bowlers but in latter years Jim’s mobility issues restricted him to indoor bowls only. The family were joined at the funeral by several Probus members and other bowlers. The eulogy was read Sarah.

7th June Jim Green passed away

2018

10th September A Requiem Mass was held for John at St Winefrides Church, Sandbach, followed by a private committal. Guests were invited by Celia and their son John and his wife, Pippa, to the Masonic Hall for refreshments. Many Probus members joined Celia for the mass and the refreshments. John had been a member of Probus since 2001 and was well known for his quick wit as well as his bowling skills. John was also an accomplished musician and his son follows in his footsteps.

31st August John Berry passed away