Forthcoming Speakers 2026
February Crysta Pestano – The building form and challenges of climate change
March TBA
April AGM
May John Mangan – Lancaster Bomber
June Brian Farrow – Sheringham Lifeboat
July Mike Urry – Whitwell and Reepham railway
August Chris Wright – Blyth and Wright
September Sue Smart – Subject TBA
October Richard Jefferson – Massacre at Paladis
Previous Speakers
Francis Farrow – October 2025
Holt Probus Club met in early October, and enjoyed a lunch of fish pie with carrots and peas followed by sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.
After the meal, the speaker was Mr. Francis Farrow, hon. warden at Beeston and Sheringham Commons who spoke about that very interesting site.
The main commons are Beeston and Sheringham, which jointly make up the SSSI/SAC areas and are located south of the A149. Smaller commons comprising Beeston Back Common and Beeston Common (north) are situated to the north of the AI49. Francis has been a warden there for – years!
An early Norfolk map by Faden (1797) shows Beeston and Sheringham Commons to be more extensive than their present size of about 60 acres. The designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is because the wildlife and geography of the commons are of considerable interest.
But it all needs continual attention. Francis explained how the main pond had been enlarged and a “scrape” had been created to improve things for wild birds and animals; the vegetation requires regular attention to retain the kind of habitat that is required.
In September 2025, for example, more than two dozen different species of birds, mammals, insects and reptiles were seen. A meticulous record is maintained of sightings – and these can be seen listed on the commons’ website. Over time, over 400 flowering plants have been recorded including no less than 14 British orchids, 26 species of butterflies, 19 species of dragonfly/damselfly, as well as adders, grass snakes, slow-worms and common lizards.
John Allan – August 2025
Holt Probus Club met on Wednesday 6th August at The Feathers in Holt for their monthly gathering, lunch and talk. The meal was haddock and chips, followed by eton mess, and then coffee and mints.
The speaker was Mr John Allan, who had been billed as talking about Bomber Command. It turned out to be much more specific – the talk was about 100 Group, a part of Bomber Command which was formed in November 1943 to specialise in the complex business of electronic warfare and countermeasures.
Although part of Bomber Command, interestingly the Group had few bombers, mostly using De Havilland Mosquito fighters – the famous wooden framed twin engine machines.
100 Group operated primarily from airfields in North Norfolk, including several such as Little Snoring – not far from Holt! Using the electronic devices installed in the Mosquitoes, the 100 Group detected enemy radar and radio emissions. They enabled the RAF fighters to disrupt and harass the Luftwaffe exercises to the extent that a high proportion of enemy aircraft and personnel were wasted.
The innovative tactics of 100 Group played a vital role in supporting the Allies’ bomber offensive during the war.
Clare Stevenson – July 2025
Holt Probus Club met on Wednesday 2nd July at The Feathers in Holt for their monthly gathering, lunch and talk. The meal was chicken supreme, followed by lemon posset and biscuit, and then coffee and mints.
The distinguished after-dinner speaker was Dr Clare Stevenson, from the John Innes Centre in Norwich. Clare works closely with the Director as the interface between the Director and many aspects of day-to-day functioning of the John Innes Centre by providing support, advice and the strategic context required for leadership.
As a structural biologist Clare has extensive expertise in solving the structure of proteins using crystallography and is proud to have had a technical career path that has led to senior management.
One aspect of the John Innes Centre’s future plans is with the so-called “hp3” plan – involving the Centre’s links with the Sainsbury Laboratory, developing new ways to harness the power of plant and microbial science to feed the world and safeguard the health of the planet.
Thanks were proposed by member Bob Ward and a generous round of applause from all present.