History of Our Club

In February 1985, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Haywards Heath, Brian Gubbin wrote to potential Probus members whose names had been suggested by the Rotarians, inviting them to an exploratory meeting to form a local Probus Club. 

The first meeting took place at the Golden Eagle in Haywards Heath, with an initial attendance of 19 people. Subsequently, regular informal gatherings with buffet lunches started in May 1985. Ladies were invited to the Christmas meal that year for the first time.

Soon there was a need for a private function room to accommodate guest speakers. The club decided to move to the Birch Hotel in Haywards Heath.  When the hotel undertook a major refurbishment program in 198, a new venue had to be found.

The Committee decided on Lindfield Golf Club, which proved an excellent choice. We have held our regular meetings there since January 2000.

As membership of our club grew, the Committee decided on a membership limit of 50, and a waiting list soon arose. The strength of our waiting list indicated that there was a need for other Probus Clubs in the area. As a result, Cuckfield and Lindfield Probus Club were formed in 1993, Mid-Sussex Probus Club was formed in 1996, and the Clayton Windmills Probus Club was formed in 1999. 

The 30th Anniversary of our Club was celebrated at our meeting at Lindfield Golf Club with the ladies in April 2015.  In May 2015, we hosted members of our 'mother club', the Rotary Club of Haywards Heath. Founder member, Charles Jessup, was present at both meetings. Brian Gubbin, who initiated the formation of our club, was our guest when we celebrated our club's 400th  meeting in October 2018.

During our June 2023 AGM it was decided that our Club should be a mixed club, welcoming both ladies and men to become members.