Written by: Roger / Alan / Jon | Friday, 9th May 2025 - 13:00
On Friday 9th May, over 70 Members and partners meeting at Roffey Park for a special VE Day 80th anniversary luncheon were surprised to find two military vehicles - courtesy of our Vice-President, Alan, parked at the entrance, decked out in bunting.
An informal reception enabled everybody to mix and enjoy the background 40's music, an excellent period history rolling photo show prepared by Tony, and the chance to see the Roll of Honour board in memory of Member's relatives who were lost during the war.
Our President welcomed everyone with a brief overview of Roffey Park, which itself came into being as a rehabilitation centre in 1946. The Sieff restaurant was decked out with more bunting, VE Day flags, and placemats depicting the West Sussex County Times headlines from May 11th 1945.
Following lunch, Alan read out the names on the Roll of Honour and toasted them, absent friends and the King.
This was followed by wartime memories provided by Members, read by the President, Janet, & Alan. The table quiz answers followed, before some questionable community singing of well-known Vera Lynn songs completed the entertainment for the day.
The President then thanked everybody involved in organising the event, especially the ladies who made the appropriately decorated cup-cakes, and John who had been involved in arranging the Probus lunches for over 20 years and was finally stepping down.
Roffey Park played a big part in making the lunch a success.