President Brian Ireland was delighted this week to announce that David Hoskins, steward of Evesham Boathouse would be joining the Police Force. He handed David a leaving card and magnificent gift and thanked him for being such a wonderfully accommodating, charming and helpful host.

All members agreed unanimously and whilst sorry that he was leaving, we wished him well in his new career. David thanked members and praised the Probus Club for encouraging other local organisations to make use of the Boathouse facilities.

Our guest speaker, Bob Skelt of Tewkesbury, then gave us a well balanced, accurate and fair account of the Battle of the Atlantic which lasted from 1939 until 1945. He explained how technology had played a huge part in the conflict with both the allied and axis powers demonstrating bravery and courage. Whilst airborne radar and sonar were factors the key decider was our ability to break the German codes including those of the Enigma machine.

Bob talked us through the ebbs and flows of the war and described the actions of the German U-boats and the Royal Navy’s seizure of their codes. He focused on the actions of the code-breakers of Bletchley Park to combat the threat and to turn the tide of the war.

Bob concluded with the assertion that breaking the German codes shortened the war by some two years although insufficient U-boats and unreliable torpedoes clearly helped.

Judging by the number of searching questions his talk was well received. Cliff Blackborrow thanked him on our behalf and referred to the high loss of life of both the Royal and the Merchant Navy.

On Thursday 20 October we shall learn about Don McCullin, War Photographer.

CHRIS DONOUGH