Our sincere thanks must go to the diligence of a Mr Gray and the rapid follow-up by our Chairman Ron and Secretary Allan, our long lost Minute Book covering 1970 when Cupar Probus Club was created and the next 17 years now found and in good condition but I admit to a certain amount of disappointment in its content.  I assumed it would be hustle and bustle as a new club sprung to life but I do hope you can enjoy our early days in Cupar Probus, I’ll let you all decide.

Following an invitation from Cupar Rotary Club, interested men met at The Royal Hotel. Cupar on October 29th 1970 and having formed a steering committee with interim Chairman Provost Andrew Scott leading the team; founder members were listed and the first Constitution and Laws created showing annual fees of £1.25.

Our first AGM met in the Royal Hotel on 28th January 1971 when it was pointed out that our membership had attained its maximum allowed at 50 members and agreed we increase it to 60. The new committee members were created with Provost Andrew Scott remaining Chairman. For his untiring assistance and advice, Mr D Grant-Balfour was named as our first Life Member of Cupar Probus Club.

During our two meetings in February 1971 we admitted three new members and we received a visit from Mr A Pirie from Perth who was seeking advice on opening a new Probus Club in Perth.

On into March 71 and new members continue to swell our number in spite of atrocious weather and it was on 8th March that Mr D.D.Thomson, (Ironmonger?) presented this Minute Book, suitably inscribed with our grateful thanks. We also recorded our first death, that of Rev R G Brotherton.

During May we received an invitation from Cupar Bowling Club to attend and play, we would be very welcome. Sadly a later Minute recorded that no bowlers appeared but the offer still stands.

During July we greeted five new members. It was in August we issued the new, improved Lapel name badges and we have reached one short of our membership allocation at 59.

During October we had our lowest attendance to date when 23 members attended and the Minute for our November meeting tells us they had nothing to report! We had a second meeting during December when we read that “In addition to the usual coffee and biscuits our Chairman provided liquid refreshments in a somewhat stronger form". Present and future Chairmen please take note!

And so ends our first year as a Probus Club and we move forward with hope of continued success and at our 1972 AGM we heard that an average attendance of 30 had been recorded and our Treasurer proposed the annual fee be reduced to £1 but the members wanted it to remain at £1.25.

At this AGM we discussed short topical talks and also a ladies morning; both suggestions being referred to Committee.

As we reach mid 1972 we have regular talks mainly by our members and during May we enjoyed a general discussion on local and national affairs, placing the world on a good sound footing! Our Secretary at this time favoured a two or three-line Minute to record the meeting. I also note that Minutes are not accepted or signed.

As we leave 1972 I am aware of reported death of members.

At the AGM in 1973 it was agreed to extend our meetings by 15 minutes, meeting at 10.45am. Our Treasurer finally found agreement to reduce the annual fee to £1, probably because of the nuisance value of 25 pences!

On 24th May, 1973 we held a Ladies-Day when 16 ladies and 24 members met for coffee and a good blether.

At our June meeting it was gratifying to note that members do not hold to a particular group but mix where they sit. We receive an invitation from Perth Probus to a golf match but are unable to raise a team and offer a bowling match. The Minute in November, the shortest one ever - a line and half, twelve words. Probus lapel pins were introduced, admired and ordered. This is the steady build-up of our Probus as we know it today. The pins cost 30p each.

At the 1974 AGM it was reported that their Ladies Day had been very successful. It was also agreed that membership cards be printed and issued on payment of annual fees. Still £1.

During April we are invited to attend Leven Probus Club and five members will be selected at the next meeting. We have also agreed to have a Ladies-Day on 30th May, at this time 24 members and 21 ladies attended and to quote the minute, “judging by the amount of table-talk the morning was a decided success".

After our invitation, 4 members of Glenrothes Probus Club attended our August meeting and it is noted that we have regular visits from other clubs, both invited and casual, and always made welcome. Ladies-Day is gaining momentum and will be held again during August. Our attendance has reached a regular 38/40 and we have arranged two separate visits to R.A.F. Leuchars but restricted to 15 lads each day and travelling by minibus.

As 1974 dies we have seen the development of our bowling club as matches were arranged with other clubs; our speakers still on an irregular basis, and still enjoying chat meetings to include impromptu mini talks by members and visitors.

1975 AGM saw a much more detailed account of the previous year and D.Dott.Thomson became Chairman. Annual fee remains at £1. This was also the year when the previous Minute was read, approved and signed by our Chairman. Our attendances are now in the mid 40s. At our March meeting member George Normand presented our Chairman with a Gavel and Base made with timber taken from our Chairman’s shop during alterations. Our committee later agreed to have a plate inscribed. We are considering an evening at the Byre Theatre and presently arranging a visit to Blair Athol Distillery. At our Ladies Day in May 31 ladies joined 31 members for a very welcome chat and at this meeting it was announced that Age Concern was now active in the former Baptist Church in Provost Wynd and following that, at our next meeting in July James L Milne gave a talk on the new Age Concern in Cupar and offered a coffee morning for our members. A rough count of 37 agreed to accept. At the coffee morning we were shown round the premises and gave a handsome donation. During October we made an evening visit to Fife Herald News, Kirkcaldy to witness the paper being produced. Our Ladies-Day during October was once again a great success.

During 1975 we had an average attendance of 42 with 56 attending on 11th December.

D. Dott. Thomson retires as Chairman and presents Rev Donald Sinclair to take charge during 1976.

A new record attendance of 58 kicks-off our year nicely. The Committee met and decided to create a waiting list of possible new members and at our Ladies-Day we would also invite widows of previous members. At the ladies-day, 38 ladies and 31 members made the morning a success. Several members attended St Andrews to support their inaugural meeting.

With our Constitution restricted to 70 members, we now have a waiting list of 5 men. We will seek to increase this number to 80 and this was agreed at our next meeting.

Our members enjoyed their visit to John Haig & Co. Markinch and applauded the announcement with gusto that we will visit the SKOL Brewery at Alloa. At our Ladies Day on December 1976 with an attendance of 66, George Normand, senior was made an honorary life member at the age of 101, very sadly hearing of his passing at our next meeting.

At the 1977 AGM it was reported that during the year past we enjoyed meeting with eleven new members, one of them being Jimmy Shand and at our next meeting Jimmy entertained us with music and tales of his adventures. During this year we are enjoying an attendance in the 60’s and are active and successful in the world of bowling. At the April meeting it was announced that The Royal Hotel was under new management and coffee was now 25p, tea 20p but no increase on rent – yet!

At our Ladies Day on 30th June, 33 members and 34 ladies attended and guess who entertained on his accordion! It is noted that the widows of our departed members are now included. This was voted the best ladies-day ever and sets a theme for the future. Mary Robertson, our tea lady who has served us since opening will retire shortly and we now discuss a suitable farewell. This was completed at our next meeting with money, flowers and many words of thanks. During August we visited the Fisheries Museum and North Carr Lightship. During October the committee discussed holding our meetings in the Community Centre, Castlehill but no decision was made. November of this year I note the first mention of questions being asked after a speaker, and Ladies Day we achieved an attendance of 80, with thanks to Jimmy Shand of course.

As we enter 1978 it is most noticeable the amount of time given to ailing members and detailed accounts of their progress after surgery or at home. Once again we have reached our limit of 80 members with a waiting list of 9. During May we enjoyed a talk from the editor of the Fife Herald News entitled “Tiffs, Toffs and Taffs” (The mind boggles). Having received an invitation, our Treasurer and Secretary will represent us at the official opening of Castlehill Community Centre 27th October 1978 and during November we were invited to attend Cupar Rotary Club when Rear Admiral J R Nunn would present a talk on N.A.T.O. Eight members attended.

1979 made its entry with extremely bad weather and held our attendance to a mere 28 men of stout hearts. At the AGM it was agreed to increase our member’s numbers to 90 and we are now considering the purchase of a Chairman’s Neck Jewel. This would cost £35 + vat. After a wee tussle, we said - NO!

During February we received a letter from Kirkcaldy Probus Club Association to send three members to an informal ‘get-together’ of Fife Probus Clubs; this being held in the Ollerton Hotel, Kirkcaldy. During May we receive our first invitation to play a golf match and at Ladies Day on 7th June we were entertained by Mrs Barbara McManus on piano and song with other entertainers. During July a speaker gave a talk entitled “So ya wanna be a teacher, huh?" At our Ladies Day we counted 100 members (and some more!) It’s incredible how this event has grown over the years. Our Chairman introduced the East Fife Strathspey and Reel Society. This very enthusiastic group caused the building to shake.

At our 1980 AGM we hear of a very successful year past with membership at 90 and a waiting list of 8. Our retiring Chairman, David S Gordon was sincerely thanked for his devotion and organising skills by his successor A A.Farmer. The second meeting of Fife Probus Clubs Association will be held during February and attended by our Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. At our August meeting we heard a talk by Mr Robert McIntosh from Stratheden Hospital. He and Jimmy Shand gave an exhibition of self defence! Bob was to become a much loved and busy member of Cupar Probus Club. During this year we enjoyed a talk by secretary of the Tobacco Growers Association when many questions were asked, most of them going up in smoke! A visit to Dunshelt Nursery had to be cancelled because of bad weather. Ten cars, each with 4 members and ladies had assembled in Fluthers Car Park. The December Ladies Day was the usual success with an assembly of 75. Mrs Judy Fisher gave songs and carols with Jimmy Shand giving of his very best as usual. Our first meeting in December was minuted as the last meeting of 1980.

We begin 1981 with an increase of annual fees to £1.50 and David Paterson becomes Chairman. At the annual meeting of Probus Clubs in Fife at the Ollerton Hotel, Bridge, Bowling and Golf tournaments were arranged. During March, Age Concern organised a Sale of Work and asked us to run a Bottle Stall. Our committee discussed this and later announced that the matter had been resolved without involving the club. We are made aware of the Probus Newsletter and much interest is shown. During April we are given the opportunity to sign a petition headed “Leave Cupar Cross where it is.” The lectern made by George Normand was presented and used for the first time today, all members being very grateful. Ladies Day this year only warranted 4 lines informing us that Jimmy Shand and his son, with Dave Ireland, (the left-handed fiddler entertained 31 ladies and 30 members. It was also decided to organise a Bowling Competition for Club members only. 26 names were noted. During July we hear of the death of D.Dott.Thomson, very sadly missed. Our Club Bowling competition, held at Cupar Bowling Club was a great success. Results next month. A small deputation approached the new owner of the Royal Hotel to complain about his new prices and it was reduced to 50p tea, coffee and biscuits with no charge for the hall. Our Club Bowling competition was won by Douglas Wilson with runners-up Jack Bett and Jimmy Reid.

Our twelfth AGM was held on 28th Jan 1982 with 55 members present. The death was announced of founder member John R McPherson, a well-known and respected police officer in Fife. It was agreed that an updated application form be created giving more information than previously. During February we hear that our club has collected 700 Heinz labels towards raising funds to fight Multiple Sclerosis. This was raised to 1000 at a later meeting. The talk during April was on drugs and presented by Detective Constable Hugh Prentice and in running out of time, he returned at our next meeting. Poor writing and lack of detail this year but one note during June deserves your interest.  “We were without a speaker so Chairman passed round a collection of coins.” Doesn’t say whether he got them back or not! Numbers are down for Ladies Day this year with 28 ladies and 29 members when a talk was presented. October 1982 it was agreed to cancel Ladies Day after several years of poor attendance. 26 members agreed, 13 against.

At the AGM during January 19 1983 the death was announced of Ex Provost Andrew M Scott; a founder member and our first Chairman. Fife Probus Clubs Association continue to hold their annual meeting in Kirkcaldy and as well as arranging Bowls, Golf, Bridge etc it was suggested to hold a three-day conference for paid-up members and wives. St Andrews University was the suggested venue. At our February meeting we had no speaker and our Chairman suggested a walk-about - the better to get acquainted with other members. During March we are invited to enter a team of four to compete in Cupar Gala Week. We accept and quickly have seven volunteers to stand-by. During May 1983 Jimmy Shand is presented with a Golden Disc marking his 50th Year in the music business but at our July meeting we hear of Vice Chairman David Bett’s death and stand in respect. For the second time we discuss buying a Chairman’s Neck Jewel but is voted out again. Later in that year we agree to purchase the jewel: later still they will ask our members to pay for it! The jewel was inscribed to the memory of Provost Andrew M Scott.This the same one we use today. This was our second meeting during December and they seem to be drifting in their decisions.

1984 was probably our  strangest year as we reported deaths of members at most meetings but heard of successes in Bowls, Golf and Bridge, considerable success with regular speakers and several evening visits being acclaimed by our members. It was also during September (27th) our Secretary announced our last meeting in the Royal Hotel and our committee would need to take action on this and take action they did, as our next meeting shows. On 10th October 1984 we meet in the Age Concern Centre. Rev Tom Lithgow is Chairman and greets 52 members. Our committee has worked very hard to gain a smooth transition and we now have a team of volunteers to meet early and prepare the hall for our meeting at 10.30. We pay £5 per meeting which includes tea and coffee. The meeting during December was entertainment by Jimmy Shand, Alistair Scott with songs and Poems, Willie Lawrence on violin. Could this be the making of Mince-Pie Day? Most of our Committee Meetings are held in Marathon House (now YMCA in Bonnygate)

At our first meeting during January 1985 George Normand gave the last show on his Magic Lantern of Cupar slides; it is being presented to Cupar Library for a museum in the district. Our AGM this year was mainly taken up with our thanks and appreciation within and out-with our club, donations, gifts to Age Concern and others. February meeting and Chairman Jim Tait gave a brief resume of life from school, military service, commerce and on to retirement in Cupar: he closed by asking members to follow this example thereby bringing our membership closer together. We continue with Fife Probus Clubs Association but still organising local sporting events that Cupar Probus still support annually. In May we agree to donate £100 to Age Concern towards their new floor covering. (a carpet?) During August, our speaker’s talk was entitled “The Sound Spectrum” using several musical instruments including a garden hose with attached mouthpiece - very pleasing, no doubt. Complaints from members unable to hear! We will investigate a sound system. Our Chairman agrees to attend a meeting in County Buildings on behalf of ‘Help the aged Silver Jubilee’ and Douglas Whitton continues to work hard on our speaker system. Fred Whitson spoke of his attendance at the Christening of a child in the Greek Orthodox Church but had to admit it was all Greek to him! At our December meeting I find the first sign of Mince pies and shortbread thanking Mrs Fraser Middleton for this.

At the 1986 AGM it is agreed to update our Constitution by changing our meeting day from Thursday to Wednesday, it’s been happening all the time! At this time we must meet early to set up the hall and our thanks go to the willing volunteers. We have now secured a good address system with thanks to Douglas Whitton. Our membership stands at 89 with four honorary members and our average attendance is 57. Our Chairman is the well-known Alistair Scott and this was the first year we had a Minute Secretary and Secretary - an office I revelled in and kept for five years. Our July meeting closed much earlier because members wished to view the Royal Wedding on TV. (Andrew and Sarah?) During August it was agreed we only have speakers monthly. When our Chairman and Jimmy Shand gave entertainment the Minute read, “It was with great reluctance the meeting closed at noon!” Mr Vince Fusaro (Luvians) gave a talk on the Mafia in Italy but softened it with a healthy supply of chocolate covered ice cream balls!

We slide easily into the closing Minutes of this book with a Committee Meeting on 27th January 1987 where we agree to present the retiring Chairman with a lapel badge instead of him purchasing his own. No problem here because we can receive 7 for the price of 5!!

Our final Minute is dated 11th February 1987 when Chairman Fraser Middleton gave a talk on his school days, army life etc.

Can I thank you all for your patience and attention during this talk and hope it has helped to fill a 17-year gap in our history. It is a grand feeling to have our once missing minute book back in our possession.

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