Garstang Circle supports HCPT

Garstang Circle gave a £500 donation to its President Brother 
Colin Barnes for the charity of his choice, which was H.C.P.T Group 72.

The Handicapped Childrens Pilgrimage Trust takes disabled 
and disadvataged children, of any denomination, between the ages of
8-18 years, on holiday to Lourdes each Easter. It gives the children a
wonderful experience which they can treasure all their lives. It is a very
fun-filled time with lots of activities and trips out, making it not just a 
pilgrimage but a holiday.

The photograph shows Brother Colin presenting the cheque to Canon
Jude Harrison of St. Alban's Parish in Blackburn, who was very
grateful for the generosity of the brothers of Garstang Circle, 

Mike O'Malley's last event?

Bro. President Mike O'Malley and Anne-Marie hosted their final event as President of Lytham St Annes Circle at Lorenzo's Restaurant, Freckleton.  A good number of the circle were able to attend and all enjoyed a good feast.

Province 10 in Rome

Brothers from Lytham St Annes and Preston & District (144) Circles accompanied the Grand President on the Association's biennial pilgrimage to Rome.  The photo was taken at the Gala Dinner on the last night after six hectic but rewarding days.

David and Helen Barker, Robert Thompson, Susan Alldred, Linda Cross, Jean and Shaun Aspden

Broughton in Craven Circle raise £1700 for Junior SVP and Rainbows.

Over the Presidential year we have been raising money for the junior Saint Vincent De Paul and Rainbows groups at Saint John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School Colne. Brother President Chris Bohills wanted to support a youth initiative that would affect the local communities in which our members live. Last October Tina Fishwick school Chaplain came to talk to the circle and explained how funding would enable the pupils to make external visits, arrange outings and provide materials to greatly enhance what is already being done. Chris Bohills the circle President was a past Headteacher at the school retiring in 2013. We all felt that this would be a really beneficial local project to support.

As well as the normal charity fundraising events Mrs Maureen Murgatroyd and Brother Bernard Heys organised an excellent evening to commemorate the 1st World war. Brother Robert Greenwood also donated monies raised as donations to charity from his 60th birthday afternoon tea. All in all £1700 was raised and the cheque presented following a Mass with the pupils on Tuesday 24th march.

Rainbows is a project which trains staff to work with bereaved children and is achieving outstanding results where many pupils in the past suffered great stress. Tina Fishwick and Brigida Greenwood wife of Brother Robert are active officers of the association. President Chris Bohills would like to thank all circle members for the support given during the year in raising such a pleasing amount. Following the presentation Brother Chris said that young people often get a bad name nowadays but these youngsters give us a real hope for a better future.

Picture

The picture, taken at the presentation in the school Chapel shows,Centre: Brother President Chris Bohills presenting the cheque after Mass.
To his right are Eddie and Maureen Murgatrotd then Carmel and Bernard Heys.
To his left are Robert and Brigida Greenwood then far left Bernard Swinson and Fr Chris Gorton who celebrated the Mass for us. The pupils are a mixture of year 9, 10 1nd 11 who are active in the Junior SVP and Rainbows. All together over 50 pupils were involved across the school.

The victorious Burnley team!

The victorious Burnley team who beat Furness Circle in the recent Provincial snooker final at Our Lady's & St Edward's Club, Preston.

Province 10 President Terence Donnelly presenting the trophy to Mick Armfield the Burnley captain with (L-R) Bro Mark Conroy (Director, Province 10), Ken Tyson, Terry Hephrun, Terry Walne and Mark Balko.

Burnley Circle's table at the Provincial Weekend

Longridge celebrates St Patrick’s Night

The last meeting as Longridge President for Brother Steve Hardacre was a Ladies Night and also coincided with St Patrick’s night so, Steve decided to go out with a singsong of popular Irish songs organised and led by Brother Joe Carrol on guitar and Brother Michael Blair as MC and chief song rouser!  This followed a superb three-course meal for approx 70 Brothers, Wives, Widows and Visitors.

Brother Joe gives it some feeling!

A sample of the singers

Brother Michael & Brother Joe in action!

Preston 14 Circle's Annual Dinner Dance

Click here to see loads more pictures!

A Load of Laughs!

Following the March meeting of Accrington Circle, Fr.Frankie Mulgrew spoke to the Brothers,  Ladies and many Visitors of his transition from stand-up comedian to Catholic Priest.

Fr Frankie is the Assistant Parish Priest at St.Michael & St.John in Clitheroe. He is also the son of the famous comedian Jimmy Cricket. He spoke of his early life in a household surrounded by laughter, which was very amusing and contained many stories about himself, his family and the many famous comedians he had worked with over the years. He also

 introduced  various props to illustrate the stories. He went on to outline the events that prompted his calling to the Priesthood and the strengthening of his faith.

On the photograph from l to r : Mrs Trish Whiteside, Fr.Frankie Mulgrew and Brother President: John Whiteside.

More pics from The Walk....

Lunch Break at The Bear House Cafe

Afternoon Tea?

The Gathering (after Mass)

(Photo: John Mills)

Robin Hood.....here we come!

The Saturday morning peace at Carden Park was shattered when the Ladies versus Men Shooting Competition took place.  Alex and Phil from the excellent Carden Park Events Team took their lives in their hands when they organised a three part shooting competition.  Clay Pigeon shooting with Lazer 12 bore guns, Archery and Air Rifle target shooting.  The men won the Clay Pigeon shooting the Ladies won the Archery by a large margin, (shades of the Hunger Games) which left the series finale, the Air Rifle target shooting.   After a tense round the ladies came out on top to win the competition 2 events to1. The victorious ladies are expected to dress as Assassins for the Preston Circle 144 007 themed Dinner Dance on the 21st of March.

Photos and Report by - 'Little John' Whiteside!

Ceilia Neil Preston (347) takes careful aim as does Steve Hardacre 
the Longridge (286) Circle President.

Jane Hardacre (centre) shows top “Country Life” style and technique….with Paula Garstang hiding behind the Instructor…. gun peeping out.

Karen Dabrowski  Accrinton (80) shows a fine technique in the Archery Competition, watched by Collette Tate and Paula Garstang.

Brian Tate the President of Furness Circle (130) tries to narrow the score, coached by Alix from the Carden Park Events Team.

The victorious ladies team (l to r) Colette Tate, Brian Tate, Trish Whiteside, Mike Neil (behind) Mary Holland, Jane Hardacre (behind) Karen Dabrowski, Celia Neil……with Paula Garstang (out of shot) and  Steve Hardacre.

Lost & found at Provincial Weekend

This hat was left after the Mass today (8 March) at Carden Park and now wishes to be re-united with its owner.  Please contact Robert Thompson, Lytham St Annes Circle.

Exhibit 1

The 'Walking Group', led by Christine Fitzpatrick. on the Sandstone Trail, Cheshire.
They were part of the group of brothers, wives, family and friends who attended the Provincial Weekend at Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire.
(More pictures to follow )

Long Distance Visiting!

Mike and Anne Grayston, whilst visiting their son in Australia, decided to make a visit to Bouvard 338 Circle meeting in Western Australia. 

They were made most welcome and had a very enjoyable evening in the company of President Colm and Barbara Kellk, Terry and Jan O'Neil of Swan Valley and visiting Brothers from the City of Mandura, City of Busselton and Swan Valley Circles. To remind our Australian Brothers of Mike and Anne’s visit, Brother Mike presented them with several sticks of Blackpool rock.

The couples shown in the photograph above are from left to right Mike and Anne Grayston of Blackpool Circle, Terry and Jan O'Neil of Swan Valley Circle and Colm and Barbara Kellk President of Bouvard Circle. 

In the bottom photograph, Provincial President Terence Donnelly is seen presenting the Arkright Trophy, a solid silver napkin ring to Brother Mike Grayston. The trophy is for the brother who travels the furthest to visit another circle outside Province 10.

Burnley Circle v. KSC Games Night

For many years, Burnley Circle have enjoyed annual Games Nights with the KSC Burnley Council at the KSC 110 Club.  This year's event took place recently with the KSC retaining the Whitbread Trophy.  The photo shows Burnley Circle President, Peter Nuttall, with Burnley Council Grand Knight, Peter Greenhalgh.