Alan was Forbes Men’s Probus Club guest speaker last month and was in the United Kingdom during the terrible outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

At the time he was in his 20’s and was on a working holiday but what an experience that turned out to be.

The disease hit Shropshire, Wales and even into France, and there were 2364 outbreaks in the United Kingdom alone.

Alan had the terrible job of helping to diagnose animals, slaughter those with the disease and bury them and the official report said

“Over the course of six months, 430,000 animals across 2300 farms were slaughtered.”

He said it was “very tough” work and is a real bio security issue even today.,

Foot-and-mouth disease or hoof-and-mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids.

The virus causes a high fever for approximately two to six days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness. So why did Alan come to Forbes?

Because he likes small towns and here not only does he have a veterinary practice but also a stud from running White Suffolk and Dorset Poll sheep.

This Friday’s speaker is Jack Woodburn, son of Bob Woodburn after whom the prestigious Bob Woodburn award is named.

AGM: The club executive would like members to make a special effort to be at the forthcoming AGM at which the Woodburn Trophy Award recipient will be voted for.

There will be no guest speaker in March because of the annual general meeting but in April recently decorated Fire Chief Brian Clarke will give us a talk.

March Birthdays 

March Anniversaries 

Forbes Men’s Probus Club. Meets the fourth Friday of the month, 10am at the Forbes Services Memorial Club 41 -1 43 Templar Street, Forbes.