Next Lunch and Speakers

Friday 18th September 2026

The Aristocrat, the Able Seaman and the Tragedy of RMS Titanic

After a friendly lunch on Friday 18 September members of Milford Probus Club and visitors (always welcome to come and try us out) will learn the human story of a successful escape from the Titanic disaster. 

Angela Young bases her talk on the Titanic Papers, found when her great-grandmother, Noël Rothes (Countess of Rothes) died in 1956. She (the aristocrat) and Thomas Jones (the able seaman) were in the same lifeboat and actively helped at least 25 others to survive. The countess became a celebrated Titanic heroine for taking the helm of the lifeboat and steering it overnight. The Papers include letters by Jones, newspaper cuttings, memorabilia and evidence given to inquiries into the disaster. Angela uses them to tell a fascinating positive human story within a massive disaster. 

Come and join us. Lunch and talk are just £34.

Friday 16th October 2026

Stephenson’s horses : the Victorian Railway

The nineteenth century expansion of Britain’s railways was nothing short of revolutionary. Alongside the engineering triumphs, the railways transformed the nation’s life, socially and industrially. The effects reached even the humble local fish and chip shop. British engineers became global trailblazers, reshaping not only the nation’s landscape but its future.

On Friday 16 October after a friendly lunch, members of Milford Probus Club and visitors (always welcome) will learn from Dr Richard Marks how Britain’s greatest transport revolution changed far more than how people travelled. Richard is a historian, university lecturer and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Before entering academia, he spent over twenty five years as a systems engineer working with British manufacturing and technology firms across multiple sectors. This gives him an unusual understanding of industry, business processes and organisational decision making, with insights that enrich his interpretation of the past.

Come and join us. Lunch and talk are just £34.

Friday 17th July 2026

The Balance of Power - give peace a chance

On On Friday 17 July after a friendly lunch, members of Milford Probus Club and visitors (always welcome) had a talk by Hugh Thomas, a highly rated speaker on international politics, diplomacy and influences on nations’ policies. His degree in International Politics and a career involving oversees embassy postings including Washington and Ankara combine intellectual rigour with hard experience.

Hugh’s talk was on the Balance of Power today and keeping the peace in this Brave New World.  What are the priorities of the major powers and the impediments to peace? Is a new approach to diplomacy needed?