The Catenian Association is an international body of proudly Catholic laymen and permanent deacons who meet at least once a month in local groups called Circles, to enjoy each other's company and thereby strengthen their family life through friendship, faith and fun! It is open to practising Catholic laymen from the age of 18 years. Many of the Circles’ activities involve the members’ wives and families.
Garstang Circle again organised the annual carol concert on behalf of Province. This year only three circles provided choirs, there are still 13 circles in the Province and less than half were represented! Those who attended the event had a most enjoyable evening.
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| Garstang Circle choir |
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| Lytham St Annes Circle choir |
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| Accrington Circle choir |
The Circle's traditional family Christmas lunch was held at the Glendower Hotel with 90 people sitting down to dine, a lower number than in previous years. After a suburb meal, Father Christmas and his loyal Elf arrived and distributed presents to all the children and the wives of our deceased Brothers. Also one lucky Brother was summoned FOUR times by Santa. (He must have been exceptionally good!) Then followed a good raffle and carol singing accompanied on the hotel's baby grand piano. A really good start to Christmas.
On a fine October morning, Sunday 30th October, 12 intrepid souls from the Longridge Walking Group (and two to follow later) set out, in cars, not on foot, travelling to North Wales and in particular a little village Llwynmawr, near Chirk which is near Llangollen and a fine country Inn "The Mulberry Inn".
On Sunday they strolled a route around the Pont Cysyllite Aqueduct and of course included the obligatory snack in the local pub.
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct consists of a cast iron trough supported 126 feet above the River Dee and is 1007 feet long. It took 10 years to construct, is the longest aqueduct in Great Britain, and is the highest canal aqueduct in the world.
Burnley Circle has been able to restart the former annual Pie Night at Rolls Royce Social Club, Barnoldswick. Brothers were joined by Brothers from Broughton-in-Craven Circle and wives, families and friends.
On the 8th October 2002 Broughton-in-Craven Circle organised a low-key ladies evening at their usual venue, the Tempest Arms, Elslack. A good time was had by all. The flower posies and prosecco were much appreciated by our ladies.
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| Circle president Tom Hayes, new member John Sunderland and Director Terence Donnelly. |
Burnley Circle's run of sporting (and other) success continues. The Circle's snooker team won the Province 10 2021/22 Snooker Knock Out competition by beating Preston 14 in the final held in an upper room at the KSC 110 Club, Burnley, not far from Turf Moor. This was the first time that the final had been staged there.
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| The winning team [L to R] - Terry Walne, Circle Pres. John McNabb, Ken Tyson, Mick Armfield, Robert Thompson and Terry Hephrun |
The trophy was presented to Burnley's captain Mick Armfield by Robert Thompson, the only representative of Province there.
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| The finalists |
This victory for Burnley follows the Circle winning the Province 10 2022 Crown Green Bowls Competition in July, and earlier this year, Burnley Brother (and GB NVP) Mark Conroy won the Rowland Young Memorial Bowl at the National Golf Competition. Both these events have been reported on the blog.
Finally, the Circle is the holder of Province 10's Mather Trophy.
On Wednesday 5 October 2022 Lytham St Annes Circle 89 celebrated its 600th meeting. The guest of honour was GB National President Bro. Roger Lillie of Southampton Circle. Many Brothers from Province came for the meeting and most stayed for the excellent meal afterwards. There were also Brothers and their wives from Province 1.
In his address following the meal Bro. Roger said that this was the furthest north he had been since taking on the role in May and the previous weekend he had been in Jersey, the furthest south he could go. Margaret Lillie was presented with a cheque for her charity, Motor neurone disease, by newly installed Circle President, Bro. Mike King.
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| Bro. President Mike King, Margaret and Bro. GB National President Roger Lillie |
The weather could not have been better. Blue skies, very little wind and not too hot: ideal running conditions with the bonus of outstanding views. Roger and Eleri arrived at my house at 9am, and Paul drove us to Dalehead for the start. Pen y Ghent was straightforward and we were ahead of schedule when we arrived in Horton, to be met by Anne and Gordon, and flasks of tea. I should explain that I am physically incapable of going for more than a couple of hours without black tea.
Chris at the summit of Pen Y Ghent
Eleri had to leave us at this point as she was going away for the weekend, but Gordon replaced her so we were still a gang of three. The ascent of Ingleborough is long and at times tedious, but it was enlivened by discussions on an eclectic mix of topics from the Royal family to Brentford FC. The descent proved problematical. I have known Gordon for well over 30 years and he is a top bloke (he had driven up from Horwich to join my run) but he is not a good descender. So Roger and I got ahead going down the first steep bit, and after running along the ridge we realised that Gordon was not behind us. We surmised that he must have taken the tourist route instead so we carried on to the Hill Inn where Anne, Peter and Shelagh were waiting with food and more tea. After ten minutes anxious wait, Gordon appeared having taken the tourist route as we had guessed.
Chris, now in a red top, with friend Gordon Stone at the summit of Ingleborough
At this stage I was feeling a little tired and decided to press on, telling the other two (mere youths in their 60s) to catch me up. The ascent of Whernside was a slog: the sun came out and it was very warm. In addition, there was a charity walk going the other way which led to some awkward manoeuvres on the steps. Eventually I reached the ridge where things became much better. I soon reached the summit to be joined by Roger, and then Gordon. The descent was straightforward, although we had to be wary of tripping, easily done with tired legs on rough ground. Down past the viaduct and the finish was in sight. The support crew were there with the finish tape, and more importantly, more tea. We then went to the Station Inn for some well-earned food and drink.
It was a very enjoyable day and my especial thanks go to my support team and my fellow runners, without whom none of this would have been possible.
At the last peak Whernside
And the finish at Ribblehead.
Burnley Circle revisited Nidd Hall, North Yorkshire, for an early Autumn mid-week break. The group of 17, comprising Brothers, wives, wives of Deceased Brothers and friends enjoyed the hospitality, facilities and entertainment offered by Warner’s. The group also included walkers, cyclists and swimmers who kept active. Others enjoyed the impressive gardens and the history of the Hall. Some of the party also experienced a gin tasting.
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The photo shows most of the Burnley party following a tour of
the gardens |
Chorley Circle 23 recently participated in the Catholic Community Festival, held in the gardens of St. Gregory’s Church, Weldbank, Chorley. The purpose of the Circle’s presence was to promote the Catenians, and there were many interested visitors to the Catenian stand, and various leaflets, flyers, and pens were handed out.
The event was opened by Sir Lindsey Hoyle, MP for Chorley and Speaker of the House of Commons. During his visit to the Catenian stand he was informed of the journey of the relics of St. Bernadette to the UK, including St. Mary’s, Chorley on 15th and 16th of September, an event of which he had not previously been advised. Chorley Circle will be leading The Rosary at St. Mary’s at 5.00pm on 16th, and Sir Lindsey was almost persuaded to take part, until he was advised by his PA that he will be at the G7 Conference in Berlin on that day.
Our photo shows Chorley President Peter Hughes, Sir Lindsey and Brother John Holland.
South Ribble Circle, the youngest circle in Province 10 (formed in 2008), now has the newest members in Province. At their July meeting they enrolled Bros Basil Howard and Tony Green.
Basil had contacted HO to find out the nearest circle to where he now lived to be told that it was South Ribble and that they had just changed their meeting venue to the parish centre of Our Lady and St Gerard, Lostock Hall, Preston This is Basil’s parish and where he is the sacristan. He knew of the Catenians as his father was a member of Preston South Circle, the mother circle of South Ribble, many years ago. Basil is already beginning to spread the word about the Association within the parish.
Now the second new member, Tony Green, also has had past dealings with the circle. He had attended various social events as his son is the Circle Membership Officer. So this is a case of ‘father becomes brother to son’. The family are very much tied up with South Ribble Borough Council and Tony’s wife was Mayor in 2014-2015.
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| Basil Howard, Director Terence Donnelly, President Tony Jones, Michael Green CMO, Tony Green, GBNVP Mark Conroy |
