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Thursday 25th July 2024 – Club Meeting – Speaker, David Simmonds who gave a talk entitled ‘Operation Surgeon’.
David started off by introducing German scientist Gerhard Schrader who had stumbled on new chemicals with a deadly potential to be weaponised as Nerve Agents. However these were never used in WW2 partly due to Hitler’s own ironic aversion to gassing having suffered himself during WW1. The technology for these chemicals fell into the hands of the Russians as the Allies advanced and they have since developed and used Nerve Agents against so-called adversaries since.
Basically, David was beginning a discourse listing many of the technological achievements of the Nazi regime and highlighting how much they were more advanced than most of the Allies at the end of WW2 and this created a race to acquire these technologies and particularly the personnel responsible for them.
The Americans had a special interest in developing new weaponry as they were still dealing with hostile threats in the Pacific arena. Much of this new technology was put to good use elsewhere and in the UK the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough took over many items and ideas from Germany under their acquisition programme ‘Operation Surgeon’ creating such initiatives as a base in Bedfordshire where they developed supersonic wind tunnels for testing new aircraft and missile shapes. Other Acquired German personnel became part of the British element of Airbus, a multi-national company set up to bring together the best of European Aircraft design and manufacture. The wing manufacturing in particular with a factory concentration just over the border of Cheshire in North Wales.
Wednesday 24th July 2024 – Bowls – Knutsford Probus v Macclesfield 2 Probus
Another sunny afternoon down at the Knutsford Bowling Club green so it was perfect for Rex to entertain Macclesfield 2 Probus.
Macclesfield 2 had a number of experienced bowlers to compete with the Rex regular club bowlers. The first half although competitive produced somewhat lop sided scores for both teams so it was anybody’s guess how the match would finish up.
Refreshed by an excellent cup of tea and biscuits the second half was played with anticipation of a victory by either side. Knutsford Rex however can have a competitive spirit when the chips are down so their superiority did show somewhat in the final score of 85 – 55. Macclesfield 2 took the loss in good spirits and despite the score enjoyed a fine afternoons bowling.
Thursday 18th July 2024 – Walk – Plumley Area
Our intrepid Walking Group tackled an excellent 4.5mile hike around the Plumley area taking in the now defunct Trouthall Farm and sadly too, the Cheadle Lane bridge recently abandoned by Cheshire East Council. It was a delight utilising the many stiles and country pathways that abound in the area with passages both over and under the Manchester to Chester railway line. At the end of the walk a couple of other members joined for an excellent lunch at The Golden Pheasant Inn.
Thursday 11th July – Club Meeting – Speaker Geoff Scargill who gave a talk on the German invasion and occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II.
The geography of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark were such that any form of armed resistance would have not only been futile, but would have invited the unwanted attention of the Gestapo. Furthermore, the occupational forces had actually been very pleasant and for some time after the invasion, life on the islands had carried on as usual. However, changes did happen as the islands were fortified. Vehicles had to drive on the right, the currency became the Reichsmark and German was taught in schools.
After D-day, the occupying forces refused to surrender, and the supplies of food from mainland Europe stopped. There were no supplies from the UK either so rations soon ran out, with shortages of gas and electricity supplies as well as food. It was some time before the red cross supply ships were allowed to bring much needed supplies to the starving islanders. The islands were finally liberated in May 1945.
Wednesday 10th July 20244 – Bowls – Knutsford Rex v Alderley Edge Probus
On a pleasant July day the bowlers from Rex welcomed their friends from Alderley Edge Probus to their Knutsford Bowling Club home.
These matches are very much a social affair to promote friendship across the Probus network. It would be wrong to say the result did not matter but the importance is not paramount. On this occasion the result was certainly not the main issue as Knutsford ran out winners by 90 points to 28. This would be the first time anyone can remember the Rex team winning all 6 of their games. Alderley Edge accepted their defeat gracefully with a pleasant afternoon the benefit.
Thursday 4th July 2024 – Walk – Ashley
Members of the club’s walking group perambulated for 4.6 miles around the Ashley area, expertly led by Jerry Bentley. The walk took the group to many interesting areas nobody had visited before, such as the 16th century Ashley Hall where the gentlemen of Cheshire met to decide whether to support the Stuarts or the Hanovarians. Before tarrying a while beside the boundary of the Ashley Cricket club to gaze upon that sacred turf the group made the short walk to the Greyhound pub for an excellent 2 course lunch.