On the seventh day of Christmas....

More pictures from the Presidents' Panto!

On the sixth day of Christmas...

The Province 10 Presidents perform

'Aladdin and his Amazing LIMP'!

On the fifth day of Christmas....

Accrington Circle perform six short carols

On the fourth day of Christmas....

Westmorland Circle perform a parody on 'We Three Kings'!

On the third day of Christmas......

Province 10 Ladies entertain...

Brother Cyril Feeley R.I.P.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of

Brother Cyril Feeley

of Preston South Circle

Brother Cyril's funeral will take place at 10.30am on Thursday 31st Deember at St Teresa's Church, Queensway, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0DS.

Please remember Brother Cyril and his family in your prayers.

On the second day of Christmas....

Burnley Circle's contribution to the Provincial Christmas Concert

Christmas Blessings

Christmas Greetings to all brothers, wives and friends.

Fr. Peter Birmingham R.I.P.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of

Fr. Peter Birmingham

of the Salford Diocese
May he rest in peace

Fr. Peter was well know to many Catenians and members of the Broughton Catholic Charitable Society.

Please remember Fr. Peter and his family in your prayers.
His funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Preston South Circle - SINGING & SCROLLS

The Brothers of Preston South 235 Circle were in fine voice recently when they held their Christmas meeting at Penwortham Golf Club, where they were joined by their Ladies, visiting Brothers and visiting Gentlemen.

After a fantastic meal five Brothers from the circle were presented with scrolls to recognise that they have been part of our Association for at least 25 years. Brother Joe Harris spoke of his time in the Catenians and re-iterated to all the joy, support and lasting friendship that it brings over the years.

With the formalities over the Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Jose Carreras wannabes began to limber up for the carol singing. Ably accompanied by Mike Fitzpatrick (South Ribble-347) on keyboard they went through the standards that were pretty tuneful it has to be said. 

Maybe there’s a choir master out there up for a challenge. Does anyone have Gareth Malone’s number?

Mark Conroy (left) Provincial Director with scroll recipients and Arthur Whitlock (right) President of 235

An intense finale from Brother Chris Hill

Mike - tinkling the ivories

Everyone's singing their hearts out!

Then there were five

Following the successful wet weekend away in Penrith by members of Lytham St Annes Circle (see the blog posting on 11 December 2015), five intrepid (some might use other descriptions) stayed an extra day.  Despite the continuing rain, it was the weekend of the Cumbrian floods, the five managed to find dry land in the remnants of the castle.

New Brother for South Ribble

The membership of South Ribble Circle has been enhanced by the inclusion of retired headmaster Edward Almond.

L to r - Ken Dennis, Provincial President; Mike Fitzpatrick, Membership Office; Edward Almond; Mike Neil, President; Mark Conroy, Director and Robert Thompson, Provincial Vice President

Santa visits Lytham St Annes

The wives of Brothers, including those were are deceased, their families and friends enjoyed their traditional Christmas lunch before

a visit by Santa Claus.

Some of Santa's customers appear to have been a little suspicious perhaps!

 
Others were in their second or even third childhood!

Competitive snooker match

The first round snooker tie between Lytham St Annes and South Ribble Circles was a close run thing.  The teams were equal after the first two matches.  Each of the following games were decided by who potted the black ball, a nail-biting time, with South Ribble just able to clam victory.

The teams plus the non-playing President of LSA Circle in the Catholic Club, Lytham

Breakfast in Penrith

Breakfast in Penrith does not have quite the same ring as Breakfast at Tiffany's but as a weekend away it was most enjoyable.  Yes, we weren't able to go for a walk as planned thanks to Storm Desmond but that didn't dampen the spirits of the 13 from Lytham St Annes Circle and Provincial President Ken and Mary.

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Burnley Circle celebrate Christmas.....with a little help!

Pictures from Burnley Circle's December meeting.  

The after-proceedings included carol singing with the Circle Choir (below) fresh from their triumphant appearance at the Province Carol Concert, supported by Burnley Football Club staff (above).

Brother Tom Calderbank R.I.P.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of

Brother Tom Calderbank

of Blackburn with Ribble Valley Circle

May he rest in peace

Please remember Brother Tom and his family in your prayers.

Tom's Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10am on Monday 14th December 2015 at St Mary's RC Church, Langho.  Post code BB6 9DW.   Following the Requiem, Tom will be interred at Clitheroe Cemetery. The family are inviting everyone to attend Mytton Fold Hotel for refreshments.  In order that the family have an idea of numbers, please contact Michael O'Grady.

Brother Brian Hargreaves' funeral arrangements

A message from Brian's daughter, Kate.

Some 'suspicious' characters!

Is Billy Connolly in town ?????

Hello Father Christmas Jim  !!!

Maxine, watch that hairy person next to you !!!!!!!!

The Funeral of Brother Brian Hargreaves R.I.P.

The funeral for Brother Brian is at 12:00 on Thursday 3rd December at St Mary & St Michael Church, Bonds Lane, Garstang, PR3 1ZB.

The burial will be in the Church Cemetery (behind the church).

The (extended) family  will organise seating.

The Brothers of North Lancashire and Westmorland Circles are invited to line the route outside the church following the Mass but not before the Mass. This means leaving the church immediately after the Mass (before the coffin).

Noreen wants everyone  to be seated before the coffin arrives rather than lining up outside the church for the arrival of the coffin. This will enable Brothers to sit with their ladies.  It will help the ushers to fill up the benches and will not need any seats to be reserved.

Enquiries to Brother John Calnan.

Brother Brian Hargreaves R.I.P.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of

Brother Brian Hargreaves

of North Lancashire Circle
and a joint member of Westmorland Circle

May he rest in peace

Please remember Brother Brian, Noreen and his family in your prayers.

The funeral will be on Thursday 3rd December at St Mary & St Michael's Church, Garstang. More details to follow.

Don't Miss.....Preston 144 Circle's Panto!

Preston & District Circle (144)
present the
'The Gross Players' (gross=144, get it?)
production of
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
(with some of the tallest dwarves you've ever seen)
following their December Circle meeting
on Tuesday 1st December 2015 at Bartle Hall

"Mirror, mirror on the wall,
which is the best panto
of them all?"

"144's !!"

Broughton in Craven members have a night, which is hard to remember.

Eight Broughton in Craven circle members enjoyed an excellent evening at an Annual Whisky tasting held at the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton.

This is a very enjoyable and educational evening giving us the opportunity to sample and taste seven specially selected Scottish Malt Whiskies chosen by an old traditional Scottish distillery with the history behind each diffferent but wonderful malt whisky. 

Mind you, when it got to the seventh the eduactional bit didnt matter any more as you can see from the picture!

This was a thoroughly enjoyable social evening with a great atmosphere and rounded off with a Lasagne Supper. 

Looking forward to next year's event already.

The task before us -  to taste seven (expensive) whiskies!

L to R.  Brother Chris Nash (Circle Membership Officer) enjoys a comment or two with Brother Ron Lyons.