CHORLEY CIRCLE'S SUPPORT FOR ST CATHERINE'S HOSPICE

Chorley Circle 23 recently presented St Catherine’s Hospice, Bamber Bridge, with a cheque for £5,746.97 in memory of Pauline, the wife of Circle President Bro. Bill Critchley, who died in March 2023. The funds were raised during Bro. Bill’s Presidential year by raffles, sponsored walks, including the annual ‘Moonlight & Memories’ walk organised by the Hospice, and general donations, some of which were kindly match-funded by Bill’s business – Astra Vehicle Technologies Ltd.

Pictured, left to right, are Circle President Bill Critchley, Terence Donnelly, Circle Secretary and Province 10 Director, Peter Hughes, Alan Alty of St Catherine’s, and John Holland.

Details of St Catherine’s Hospice can be found on their website www.stcatherines.co.uk, and on their Facebook page.

 

DARTS AND DOMINOES 2024

The annual competitions between Circles for the honour of being crowned Provincial Darts or Domino champion was again held at the BAE Canberra Club at Samlesbury.  Most Circles in Province were represented and the evening was very successful despite the need to stand in the car park for a time when the fire alarm went off.  This didn'nt affect the meat & potato pie and apple pie which was excellent value at £8.00.  The Provincial Treasurer, Mike Simpson, of Preston & District (144) became this year's dominoes champion.  The darts were won by Preston South (235); the other finalists being Preston & District (144).  The trophies were presented by Provincial President Mike O'Malley.

The finalists - 235 to the left, 144 to the right

The finalists

 

 

 

 

BURNLEY CATENIANS BUSY AUTUMN

Brothers of Burnley Circle have had a busy few months with a wide range of events.

After 20 years, the Circle left Burnley Football Club as the venue for monthly meetings, meals and other events as the new, outsourced, hospitality operation required a significant increase in price and tighter restrictions on ordering and minimum numbers.  We moved to Nelson House with effect from our August meeting.

In October, we welcomed Brothers and Ladies to our joint meeting with Broughton-in -Craven Circle.  The following week, we held our annual Pie Night at Rolls Royce Club at Barnoldswick where we had 46 diners including a good number from Broughton. 

18 Brothers, Ladies and friends dined at the Burnley Mechanics Bistro before the Upbeat Beatles show in the theatre.

In November, we held our annual Mass for Deceased Brothers at Blessed Trinity RC College Chapel. At the monthly meeting and meal that followed, Bro Michael Jones was presented with a 40-year membership scroll by GB National President Mark Conroy.  

Our Vice-President John McNabb, starred as the Family solicitor, Parchester in the St Cuthbert’s production of Me and My Girl.  Brothers and Ladies dined at the Kettledrum Inn before the show.  

 

We held our annual Ladies’ Night Dinner Dance at Nelson House.  It’s the last remaining traditional such event in Province and we were rewarded by an excellent attendance from across Province and great support from Brothers and their families.  

The Circle’s support for Blessed Trinity RC College continues with the donation of a prize for the Contribution to the Community.  Bro President Terry Hephrun participated in the College’s Awards Night. 

We also provided information about the Catenian Bursary Fund for a group of young people looking to set up a Parish/Deanery Lourdes Group. 

Finally, our December meeting and festive menu was followed by carol singing led by Bro Peter Marsland and his wife, Mary. 

Numbers attending our monthly meetings and meals have held up well at our new venue and our programme of Circle visits has been maintained especially by Bro Secretary Jim Livesey in Province and Bro GB National President Mark Conroy out of Province.  We currently hold first place in the Provincial Visiting competition for the Mather Trophy.

CHORLEY CIRCLE'S HIGHLAND FLING

On 19^th October a group of 20 members and Ladies was led over the border, to Scotland, by Chorley President Bill Critchley. The group included members and Ladies from Longridge and Lytham St. Annes Circles.

The party travelled by coach to Kingussie, where they spent 4 nights at The Duke of Gordon Hotel. The hotel featured in the TV series ‘Monarch of the Glen’ many years ago. One Chorley member, Bob Hodgson, and his wife Mary, journeyed by car from their ‘new’ home in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, to join the group and meet old friends, in spite of storm Babet.

During the stay members of the group enjoyed various activities – a guided tour of the Ben Nevis whisky distillery (with samples, of course), a visit to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, a sail on the glass-bottomed boat on the Kyle of Lochalsh, a guided tour of the Rothiemurcus Highland Estate, and short ‘shopping’ trips to Aviemore and Fort Augustus. Some members of the group took the train to Inverness for a visit to the Cathedral and a walk along the river Ness. On Sunday the group attended Mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Columba in Kingussie, and some met the Parish Priest, Fr. Emmanuel Alagbaoso.

Accommodation, food, and service at the hotel was enjoyed by all, although entertainment was limited as a consequence of storm Babet, which prevented entertainers travelling to Kingussie.

The party arrived back in Chorley in late afternoon on 23^rd October, tired after the 7 hour journey, but happy, and wondering where their next trip would take them.

 

For more photographs see the Chorley Circle website - https://chorleycatenians.org

FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY

On Sunday 10 December 2023 Lytham St Annes Circle held their very successful annual family Christmas lunch at the Glendower Hotel.  As usual the hotel provided an excellent meal after which Father Christmas and his loyal Elf gave out presents to the children and some other lucky individuals.  Then following the raffle carols were sung.  A good time was had by all.

 

 

 

AFTERNOON TEA AT LYTHAM HALL

Some of the members of Lytham St Annes Circle enjoyed afternoon tea in mid-October.  It was a sumptuous meal in exquisite surroundings and is likely to become an annual Circle event as this was the second year that it had taken place.