Rubbing shoulders with 'Royality'?

Peter Western writes....

"Me with the legend that is David Duckham (ex Coventry, Warwickshire, England and British + Irish Lions) and Don MacLean (Crackerjack!) after Solihull Circle meeting earlier this evening. I’m the one in the middle. Notice the Proud Preston tie one of us is wearing. Don is Solihull Circle Membership Officer – he was very persuasive but I managed to resist joint membership … Dave’s younger brother, Phil, kicked my two front teeth out in a school match many years ago. (We worked it out, and made it 1963, so that’s 52 years) 

Accrington Circle visit the Cotswolds

Twenty-seven brothers, family and friends of Accrington Circle recently enjoyed an autumn coach trip to the Cotswolds. 

The trip was expertly organised by Mike and Barbara Neild. 

On the journey down a stop was made at Baddesley Clinton, a moated manor house maintained by the National Trust, before arriving at their hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon. After a free morning the next afternoon was spent cruising the River Avon whilst enjoying a cream tea. The evening was spent at the famous Pudding Club at the Three Ways House Hotel in Mickleton. 

All the party sampled the five puddings available and then voted on the best one of the evening. 

The next day consisted of a tour of several Cotswold villages including Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water and Broadway. On the journey home a diversion was made to the city of Worcester allowing the party to spend some time in the cathedral or walking the banks of the River Severn.

The photograph shows the party in Broadway.

An encounter with a Dutch witch!

Broughton in Craven Circle had their annual Ladies' Night and Dinner Dance on Saturday 10^th October at the Stirk House Hotel in Gisburn. Our president’s speech was unexpectedly interrupted by a Dutch witch who flew in through the curtains.  The evening proved a great success.

Our President had a date with a Dutch witch.

Brothers, ladies and friends enjoyed the entertainment.

Little Change at Provincial Golf Tournament!!

The tournament was again held at Preston Golf Club, Preston, organised by Brother Charles Webb, and the winners of the Provincial Golf Shield were again Longridge Circle (90pts).  They beat a composite team ‘The Rest of Province 10’ as no other Circle could muster the required three players to form a team!  The winners of the individual trophies were (again) Bro. Andrew Robertson (26pts) of Preston South Circle who returned home with the Oswald Goodier trophy; this is ‘fought’ over by members of the three Preston Circles.  The David Carr trophy, for non-Preston players was won by Bro. Joe Carroll (34pts) of Longridge Circle.  The three trophies were presented by Provincial Vice President Bro. Robert Thompson. Bro. Joe also achieved “nearest the pin” on 14 and Bro. Steve Hardacre, also of Longridge Circle, the “longest drive” on 17 for which both just got a clap.  A further trophy, the Claret Jug, has still to be presented.  It was won by James Fox (35pts), grandson of Immediate Past Provincial President Bro. Terence Donnelly, for the best non-Catenian score. This will be presented at a Chorley function/meeting as soon as the trophy is returned by last year’s winner.

Longridge Circle captain Bro. Brian Ryan (right) receiving the Shield from Bro. Robert Thompson

Bro. Joe Carroll receiving the David Carr trophy from Bro. Robert

The winning team Bros. Steve Hardacre, Brian Ryan & Joe Carroll with Bro. Robert 

Bro. Andrew Robertson receiving the Oswald Goodier trophy for the second year

South Ribble Circls's Charity Night

Sharp Shooters!

The Dolphin Clay Centre in Longton near Preston was once again the venue for Preston South’s annual clay pigeon shoot on a sunny September morning. 

Brothers were joined by family, friends and brothers from Preston 144 for what has now, unofficially, become quite a competitive event.

Whilst some of the more experienced brothers seemed to have a keen eye with some clean shots it was the youngsters who blazed the trail, apparently putting their success down to good 

co-ordination through hours of playing on games consoles. 

This questionable claim was borne out when the joint highest scores, a fantastic 22 hits from 25 clays was achieved by the son and grandson of brothers Steve Seed and Ken Dennis (Provincial President) respectively. 

Bro. Steve commented, ‘We had been thinking about having a shoot for some time and this our second event proved popular again. It’s a great way to experience something different. Maybe we should buy an Xbox for the circle to hone their skills in time for next year’.   

A new brother for Garstang Circle

 

Garstang Circle celebrated the enrolment of new Brother, Kevin O'Hanlon, at its October Meeting. 

Kevin, who is married to Patricia, is a Civil Servant and resides

at Catterall, Nr. Garstang.

While the Circle Meeting was in progress the ladies were enthralled by a guest speaker for the evening, Mrs Pat Ashcroft of Garstang. Pat is an adventurer and does a lot of travelling around the world. Her subject for the evening was "Dog sledding in the Arctic".

Pat is always an active participant in her adventures and she spoke about how she had to train hard to strengthen her muscles and

familiarize herself with the huskies.

When Pat goes on her adventures it is for a very charitable purpose, that is,  to  raise money for Mencap. Her next adventure will be in Cambodia.

Pictured left to right; Bro. Director: Mark Conroy, Maxine Conroy, Bro. Kevin O'Hanlon, Patricia O'Hanlon, Bro. President: Tom Ibison and Mary Ibison.

Below: President Tom Ibison and  Guest Speaker Mrs Pat Ashcroft.

Preston 14 Circle's Charity Night

Burnley Circle's Joint Charity Night

The KSC Burnley Council 110 and the Catenian Association Burnley Circle 54 are hosting a joint charity fundraising event on Friday 6 November with the acclaimed Nelson Arion Choir.  Tickets are just £5 and include supper.

What a Hero!

On Monday, 12^th October, 2015, the President of Garstang Circle, Brother Tom Ibison and the Circle Membership Officer, Brother John Cadden, attended the Blesma Home in Blackpool, (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association Home)  and presented Brother Bill Sharples, Garstang Circle, with a 70 year miniature medal to mark Brother Bill’s 70 year membership of the Catenian Association, a medal only introduced by the Catenian Association for the first time earlier this year for Brothers achieving 70 years continuous membership and the medal had kindly been engraved by a Circle Brother “70 years membership”

Brother Bill joined the Association on 27^th March, 1945, when he was enrolled into Preston 14 Circle where his father was a member. Bill is currently the second longest serving member in the Catenian Association. He, along with his late father, became members of Garstang Circle on 29th April, 1965, when it was inaugurated. His father was the Circle’s first President and Bill his Vice President, succeeding his father as President 12 months later.

The timing of Brother Bill’s presentation was very appropriate, for only weeks earlier, he was the recipient of the Republic of France’s highest military award, the Legion of Honour, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, and awarded recently to British Servicemen for their acknowledged involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War, when Bill was a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery.

It was on 26^th June, 1944, a date which will remain in Bill’s memory for ever when his active service came to an end.  Under enemy fire in Normandy, he was shot in his legs and his right shoulder, the injuries to his right leg being so serious it had to be amputated.

Brother Bill, who is now 91 years of age and a widower for 25 years, has been a resident at the Blesma Home in Blackpool since early 2014; he is very contented and stoical despite a number of health problems. His philosophy for life is “I never complain about the things I cannot do, I am just grateful for the things I can do.”

Finally, a very moving paragraph in the letter from the French Consul to Bill reads,” As we contemplate this Europe of peace, we must never forget heroes like you, who came from Britain and the Commonwealth to begin the liberation of Europe by liberating France. We owe our freedom and security to your dedication, because you were ready to risk your life.”

(Left to right)

Brother Tom Ibison, Bill in the centre and Brother John Cadden on the right. Bill’s 70 year miniature is on the left as you look at the picture and the Legion of Honour award with the red ribbon is on its own above his military medals on the right