Preston & District Circle's 2016 Pantomime - 'Lets be Merry Men'!

Dame Flora (Peter Van Parys)

Maid Marion (Eric Bolton) and Dame Flora

Little John (O'Donnell), Alan-a-Dale (Harry Mounsey) on the fiddle! Will Scarlett (Shaun Horsfield)

Robin Hood (John Lord), Friar Tuck (Mike Simpson)

Alan-a-Dale, Will Scarlett, Robin Hood, Brother Robert (Anthony Donlan) and Friar Tuck

"A right song 'n' dance"!
"We're men, men in tights!"

(Words fail me!)

Maid Marion, Sheriff of Nottingham (Mike Cowley),
Prince John (John Waddingham)

The Finale!

Well, it got some applause!

Cathy Simpson -
our redoubtable producer, author, musical director and choreographer!
Many thanks, Cath!
(What are we doing next year?)

Pictures by Brother Phil Bannister

Preston 144 help the homeless in Preston

Brother President, John Lord, presented a cheque for £2200 to Joe & Ruth White of the Metanoia Project at St Wilfrid’s in Preston recently.

Metanoia are a Catholic ministry working with adult and youth groups across Preston.

Alongside this work they are providing an outreach service to the homeless based in the city centre.

Each Wednesday evening the narthex of St Wilfrid’s church  is open and support is given to the homeless in the city. This includes the supply of warm clothing, sleeping bags and, importantly, a place where they will receive a genuine welcome.

Ruth & Joe and the rest of their team sit and chat with those attending and although not forcing our faith on them, give a welcome firmly based on our Gospel principles, which will hopefully help those who attend to see that they are loved and part of God’s family.

I would like to thanks the brothers and ladies of our circle and all those who attended our BBQ back in the summer for the support they gave. This donation will make a real difference to those less fortunate during the coming months.

'Our Nativity Play'...??

The 2016 Presidents and their wives got together to produce their version of an infants' school nativity play! 
This was played out infront of a very appreciative audience at the Provincial Carol Concert at Mytton Fold....

Click on the picture to watch the 'performance'!

LONGRIDGE CHARITY DONATIONS

In June John and Jenny Lea hosted a very successful Summer Fair in their lovely garden. The weather was kind, helpers were many and visitors plentiful and generous.
As a result over £3500 was raised and the pictures below show the two charities that benefitted.

John and Jenny presenting a cheque for £1845 to "Prevent Breast Cancer" a charity close to both.

 

Brother President presenting a smaller cheque, in size, but with similar value to Vine House.

 

REMEMBER TUESDAY 20TH DECEMBER CHRISTMAS MEAL AND CAROL SINGING TO OUR VERY OWN "REGINALD" TED DONNELLY ON KEYBOARD AT THE NEW DROP AND ONLY £15PP TO DINE.

 

Brother President John and Jenny with all the Brothers and Ladies of Longridge Circle wish everyone a Very Happy and Holy Christmas and hope that 2017 brings all you wish for.

Southern Hemisphere Clash!

Preston South Circle President Steve Edwards, a Wigan lad born and bred and lifelong supporter of the town’s Warriors rugby league team recently organised a trip for brothers to watch the final of the 2016 Four Nations rugby league tournament between Australia and New Zealand.  Brothers, along with family and friends, made the journey to Liverpool’s Anfield ground to observe some world class rugby, even if sadly it didn’t involve the England side.

After lunch and refreshment in a local hostelry the group made the short walk to the game to join just over 40,000 fans.  National anthems over, the crowd were treated to the obligatory Haka from the Kiwis and the battle commenced.  Being pretty neutral the crowd seemed to be firmly on the side of the New Zealanders but in the end Australia triumphed.  

Match over there was only one place to go. Back to the Black Horse to watch some football to pass the time before the minibus back home.  To use a well-known phrase it certainly was A Grand Day Out. 

L to R Brother Peter Gildert, Peter Edwards (Steve’s son),
Bro. President Steve Edwards and Bro. Richard Yates

Brother Paul Hood with his son Luke

Well done Harry

Furness Circle President, James Croskery presenting Harry Austin with the Catenian prize for “Outstanding academic achievement” at St Bernard’s Catholic high school, Barrow in Furness. 

Since leaving St Bernard’s, in the summer Harry has taken a Design apprenticeship at Bae systems. Studying for a HNC in engineering design before being sponsored on a Engineering degree course.

Longridge 'Choir 1' sing at the Extravaganza Evening

Choir 1, open to anyone who would like to sing for fun, sang to a packed Station Café on Friday 2nd December as part of the Longridge Extravaganza Evening for 2016.
The picture shows two past Catenian presidents' wives, Moira Barron and Elaine Carroll exercising their vocal chord singing Christmas Carols.
A super night was had by all before venturing off to take part in the free mince pies and mulled wine available at various retail outlets.

A VERY EARLY MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LONGRIDGE CIRCLE. 
BROTHERS AND LADIES AND DON'T FORGET LONGRIDGE CHRISTMAS MEAL AND CAROL CONCERT ON TUESDAY 20TH DECEMBER AT THE NEW DROP....... SEE YOU THERE!!!!!

LONGRIDGE LADIES EVENING

Jenny Lea and Longridge Ladies hosted a "Ladies Evening" for 62 ladies from throughout Province at Ferraris Country Hotel on Wednesday 30th November. One attraction was a demonstration of floral arranging by Sara Barrow a RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal Winner with two traditional

 and two contemporary arrangements

These were to be raffled later in the evening.

The Ladies were greeted with a glass of "bubbly" and after watching the demonstration sat down to a super meal with choices in all three courses.
The night ended with a raffle for each of the arrangements and the final picture shows winner Moira Barron of Longridge Circle with her prize.  A big thanks to Jenny for organising the night.

Hope wins an award for 'Contribution to the Community'.

For a number of years, Burnley Circle has sponsored an award for Contribution to the Community at
Blessed Trinity RC College.
This year the award was won by Hope Hutchison, daughter of Bro Andrew and Christine.  The photo shows Hope receiving her award from Circle President, Michael Jones.

Broughton brothers have 'a wee dram'!?

Eight Broughton brothers spent a great evening tasting whisky at the Rendezvous Hotel Skipton last Thursday 10th November. 

The evening was organised by Wright's Wines Skipton. 

They tasted seven Speyside malts and were told how each distinctive flavour is achieved. 

The '100%' was particularly nice but not cheap. 

A fantastic evening thanks to Chris Nash for organising it.

Ron Lyons, Michael Limb, Chris Nash, Chris Bohills and Joe Laughlin.

Bernard Swarbrick (Circle President) and Ron Lyons

Mark Houston and his wife

The price list

The tasters

Preston 14 support a 'Mission of Mercy' Day

The brothers of Preston Circle (14) responded to a request from Corpus Christ College, Preston to an appeal for financial support for their recent 'Mission of Mercy' day.

Brother Tom McAuley presented the cheque, on behalf of the Circle and received the following letter of thanks from the college...

Dear Tom

Please find attached picture taken of your cheque presentation to our Headteacher, Mr Hubbard, together with the School Chaplain, John Griffin and guest speaker Fr. Frankie Mulgrew after our ‘Mission of Mercy’ day last Wednesday.

On behalf of the school I would like to thank the Catenians for their generous support of our very special day, which benefited all of our pupils with the variety of workshops, faith enrichment that all culminated with the celebration of Mass together. 

A full news article is presently on our school website with pictures: http://www.ccc.lancs.sch.uk/mission-of-mercy-day/14192.html

Regards

John Scarborough

Marketing and Communications Officer 

Broughton-in-Craven Circle's Vice-President is a champion fell runner!

On the 12th November Chris Beesley, Vice-President of Broughton-in-Craven Circle ran the Three Peaks of Yorkshire. 

It is 25 miles with 5000ft of climbing and it took him six hours. 

He's raised over £600 for the two cancer charities, which he is  supporting. The pictures are from the summits of each of the peaks, Ingleborough, Whermside and Pen-y-Ghent.

LONGRIDGE CHARITY NIGHT

 

 

 

 

The Hubert Wilcock Foundation Charity

Inaugural Event

RACE NIGHT

St Wilfrid’s Social Club, Longridge

7.00 pm

Friday 18^th November 2016

£5 entry (to include supper)

£20 sponsorship of races

£10 to buy a horse

Futher details from Michael Blair or Steve Hardacre

"Let's be Merry Men"

Longridge Walking Group at The Church Cottage Museum, Broughton

 

Barry Fitzgibbon invited a select number from the Longridge Circle Walking Group to spend an evening feasting in Victorian style at The Cottage Museum. The food was varied from "Preston" shrimps and salmon to hams with pickles and soup accompanied by soda bread. The main course was a magnificent Game Pie accompanied by a Preston delicacy known as "Butter" Pie.
 After a tour of the museum dessert was served consisting of Custard Pie, Jelly, Blancmange, Scones with homemade jam and local cream, not forgetting the Goosnargh Cakes.
To round off the night our hosts served Aniseed Balls, Coltsfoot and Cinder Toffee all allegedly favourites in Victorian Preston.

 

'Ageless Comedy'!

Preston & District Circle support St. Anthony's Primary School appeal

The brothers of Preston & District Circle responded to an appeal from St. Anthony's Primary School, in Fulwood, for funds to extend and improve the library's stock of books for the children in Key Stage One.

Circle President, Brother John Lord, presented a cheque for £300 to the headteacher, Mrs. Rachel Ballard, watched by Mrs. Samantha Lord and Brother Shaun Aspden, Circle Vice-President.

Part of the new library area.

The presentation took place at a full school assembly
on the 21st October.

After addressing the school assembly, Brother John commented,

"The children really presented themselves well, very smartly dressed and excellent behaviour."

'The History of Garstang'

At Garstang Circle's October Meeting on the 20th October, while the meeting was in progress, Mr Paul Smith, a well known local historian, gave a very interesting, illustrated talk to the ladies about "The History of Garstang" and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The above picture shows the ladies with the speaker, Mr. Paul Smith and Garstang Circle President, Brother Steve Masterman on the right.

Brother President, Steve Masterman, his wife Carol

and the guest speaker,  Paul Smith.

Longridge Circle Support Youth

President John Lea presents cheque from Longridge Circle

Natalia reports

From Krakow with love and prayers…

After a 37 hour coach journey we got to the accommodation, only to get less than an hour to ourselves, to find our rooms, get refreshed and changed. However, we did not mind one bit because we laughed a lot, travelled through some stunning countries and made a lot of new friends on the coach.

The weather was very hot during our stay in Krakow and every evening we made a dash for the showers competing with some French girls to get there first. The reason being that during the day the temperatures would rise up to 30˚C in the shade and sweat was dripping down our faces.

We were able to go and visit some important places, one of them being Auschwitz. We were touched by what we saw after all these years since it had been liberated.

After a night under the stars our group walked back 16km to where we were staying because the trams had been stopped. On our way home the heavens opened and we got drenched. Yet, our spirits were up.

Pope Francis celebrated mass with us and what he had to say to us made us cry and rethink our lives. His words made us realise that some changes had to be made to our lives.

Kerryann (the taller of the two girls) commented that the trip to the World Youth Day was amazing, the best time in her life and that she is so grateful to everyone who has supported us to go with Youth at the Manor, at Castlerigg, to Krakow. A sincere Thank you from both us.

 A testimony by Natalia Pilecka