Twenty nine members sat down to a most enjoyable but somewhat surprising lunch of roast chicken breast with mash and vegetables, followed by apple crumble. It was a surprise because we were all looking forward to the advertised Fish Pie!
After lunch we held our AGM and the proposed Committee for 2022 was unanimously elected by the members present. Our Chairman John Gilbert noted that with one exception the names were the same as the current Committee but that there were several changes to the roles being played. The one exception was Gerald Bridge who was stepping down after five years on the Committee and who John Gilbert thanked for his tireless and expert contribution to the working of Committee and his excellent year as Chairman in 2018, whilst noting that his 'year' as Catering Secretary was one of the easiest with just two lunches in 2020!
Our Treasurer Phil Wilkins proposals for the Annual Subscription of £30.00 and the Lunch Cost of £24.00 were agreed by the members.
Following the AGM our Speakers Secretary Geoff Pope introduced Dr Jonathon Newman who gave us a most interesting on talk on the subject "Ethos/Ethics of the Security and Weapons Markets".
This was without doubt the most intellectually challenging after lunch talk that I have had at Cheam Probus and one of the most thought provoking too. Jonathon recalled how a salesman for an electronic warfare systems supplier considered his company to be ethical as it didn't employ child labour, recycled most of its waste and used green energy! Likewise the manufacturer of 'bullet-proof' clothing was in the business of 'saving lives', even if the soldier wearing it could more easily kill his enemies. Further topics included the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, the economic and political might of the military industrial complex and the roles and lives of 'normal' people working in the weapons industry. Naturally there were many questions afterwards and much discussion which could have gone on all afternoon had not John Gilbert called a timely halt to proceedings, leaving only David Pearson to offer our thanks to Jonathon for his insight into such a challenging topic.
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