Members of a club celebrated its 40th birthday.

Elland Probus Club President Joe Braithwaite was serenaded with a chorus of “Happy Birthday Dear Probus” when he cut a celebration cake at Elland Probus Club’s 40th anniversary dinner.

Mr Braithwaite recalled that the Probus movement had its origins in an organisation for retired men, which was organised in Welwyn Garden City in 1965.

By the time the Elland Club was founded in 1974, the current style had been adopted.

The first President was Joe Mills, retired officer in charge of Elland Fire Station.

On foundation the club was oversubscribed and an off-shoot, now defunct, was created to accommodate the surplus.

Now, however, they are hoping to boost membership and are welcoming new members to join them.

Mr Braithwaite added that it was a year of celebration for Elland organisations – the Greater Elland Historical Society was also 40, and Elland Ladies Probus Club, which he understood was thriving, was 25.

The dinner was organised by Social Secretary Frank Broadhead, and entertainment was provided by Wayfarer’s Revival.