Sunday 30 April 2017

Preston & District Circle's Installation Night

(l to r) Mark Conroy (Director), Shaun Aspden (Circle President), Peter Western (Provincial President), David Rowley (Grand President)


(l to r) Mark & Maxine Conroy, Shaun & Jean Aspden, Peter & Joan Western, David & Eileen Rowley


John Lord (Immediate Past-President), Hedley Corcoran (Past-President) and Samantha Lord.



Sunday 23 April 2017

LONGRIDGE CIRCLE'S INSTALLATION & GERARD'S 50 YEARS

On Tuesday 18th April over 90 gathered at the New Drop to welcome in Ted and Janis Donnelly as President and Mike and Bridget Bryan as Vice President. The Circle look forward to an interesting and exciting year ahead.
Ted and Janis

The 18th April (Easter Tuesday) was also the 50th Anniversary of Gerard and Angela's wedding and 50 years of their membership of the Association. Peter Rogers (National President elect) and his wife Joan were on hand to present a certificate and miniature to Gerard and an arrangement of flowers to Angela. He gave an excellent, brief resume of Gerard and Angela's time in the Association and offered a toast to Gerard and Angela.
Peter presenting Gerard with his 50 year certificate

The night was also the 50th birthday of Philp Jones, son of one of a founder members of the Circle, who was there with his mother Mary. The circle presented a gift in recognition of this landmark birthday.
More than 80 people enjoyed a lovely meal, good company and very short speeches and the evening concluded with all present offering a toast to Ted and Janis.
A memorable "Catenian" evening.
The "VIPs"
From left to right
Ted & Janis Donnelly, Angela & Gerard Waddingham, Peter & Joan Rogers

Friday 21 April 2017

Garstang Circle's Installation Night

Garstang Circle and visitors had a very enjoyable evening at
the Garstang Country Hotel on Thursday, 20th April.
With most officers continuing in office, only one installation was required, that of Brother Gerard Power who was installed as 
Vice-President.
Brother Provincial President, Peter Western, Garstang President, Steve Masterman, congratulating Gerard Power.

(L to R) Peter Western,Steve Masterman,Gerard Power.
(Front) their ladies; Joan Western, Carol Masterman and Irene Power.

Sunday 16 April 2017

T H E Wedding

Yes it did happen.  Susan Bleach walked up the aisle with her brother Malcolm and after the Nuptial Mass at her parish church of St Mary's, Brewood (pronounced Brood), Staffs walked down the aisle with husband Adrian Crook.  As can be seen from the photographs the sun shone on the happy couple and approximately eighty guests.




The MG is Susan's, Adrian also has one but it is in bits in his garage!

Saturday 15 April 2017

Burnley Circle's Installation Meeting and scroll presentation

Provincial President, Peter Western, presents a 40-years' scroll to Bro. Neil Summers following a Mass for the Housebound at St John the Baptist Church.

Bro. Director, Mark Conroy, presents a 40-years' scroll to 
Bro. Derek Gill, watched by newly installed President and 
Vice-President Terry Hephrun and Ken Tyson.

Bro. Derek and Bro. Mark

Bro. President, Terry, with Janet and younger daughter, Rachael. (Elder daughter, Frances, managed to avoid the event by dint of being halfway up a mountain in Austria.)

Day 7 Mont de Marsan to Lourdes.

Finally over after 77 miles on the last leg!

 

 

Essentials for long distance cycling...... and
 

 
Final message
 
 
I make that 572 miles completed!!!!
Well done Ted and Joanne fantastic.
Congratulations from all at Longridge.
and your reward ......... Presidency!!!!
 

 


Friday 14 April 2017

Wednesday 12 April 2017

Day 5 Niort to Cognac

 
113 miles 
8 hours on the saddle!

 

 
No time to sample the cognac.
 
5 down and 2 to go! Ted
 
Please give generously

Tuesday 11 April 2017

Day 4 Saumur to Niort

Day 4  Saumur to Niort 139Km

4 down and 3 to go..293 miles completed.
An early start 8-10 am was cold but glorious again after lunch.
88 completed today ready for the big one tomorrow ����
 
 



 
Need to keep sugar levels up!!
 
 
 
 
                                               Back to stabilisers!
 
 

Monday 10 April 2017

Day 3 Le Mans to Saumur 78 miles

Another stunning day for cycling. Early start 8-10 am meant arm warmers on until lunch time. 
Post lunch sunshine for the rest of the day. Fabulous ride into Saumur alongside the river Loire. 
After another 78 miles today the glutes are feeling the challenge! Ted
 

 
 
 
I think I'd be smiling after eating some of that delicious looking "gateau".
Seem to remember a rather nice bubbly from Saumur!
Nearly half way..... keep on pedalling.
 

Day 2 Chartres to Le Mans 80miles

Hi Joe et al...
At an average of 14.7 another 80 more knocked off today under a cloudless sky. Great team of cyclists.
I cycled with an Irish man today who in 1986 cycled from Galway to Lourdes ... camping! He has now done the trip 18 times. Mind you he's only 70!
Tomorrow to Saumur and Le Loire with more sun promised.
Thanks for all the support from Longridge Circle.
Ted

 

Day 1 Versailles to Chartres


45 miles. Avg 14.5mph
3 hours 10 min
Cloudless sky all day.... great country for cycling
Gentle ride on day 1.
Ted
 
 

Thursday 6 April 2017

Lytham St Annes newcomers

After Brother PGP Tony Godden had been installed as Circle President he had the pleasure of enrolling four Brothers into Lytham St Annes Circle - three new Brothers and a joint member.  Unfortunately Elwyn's wife, Dorothy, couldn't be there.

L to r Membership Officer Bro. Mike King, Fiona and Bro. Andy Gallagley, Bro. GP David Rowley, Bro. Elwyn Smith, Eileen Rowley, Bro. David and Paula Burdess, Circle President PGP Tony and Kelly Godden

Now there are three:

Bro. PGP Tony Godden, Bro. GP David Rowley, Bro. PGP Mike O'Malley

Tuesday 4 April 2017

Catenian pilgrimage to Fatima

Brother GP David Rowley and Eileen led a very successful pilgrimage of just under 100 people to the shrine at Fatima.  This year is the centenary of the Blessed Virgin's apparitions to the three children in this small town in the centre of Portugal.  A small chapel has been built at the site of the apparitions and can be seen slightly to the left of centre.  We were very fortunate to be able to attend Mass in the chapel celebrated by our spiritual director, Fr Stephen Wright (David and Eileen's parish priest).

The Sanctuary at Fatima looking towards the Basilica.
The Province 10 contingent:
Bro. Jack & Marion Knight (Chorley), Bro. Robert Thompson (Lytham St Annes) and Bro. Dir. Mark & Maxine Conroy (Burnley) outside the Abbey of St Mary, Alcobaca.
 With Bro. GP David and Eileen Rowley


Sunday 2 April 2017

Preston & District Circle's Dinner Dance

Preston & District Circle's Dinner Dance was held on Friday 17th March - The Feast of St Patrick - so, naturally it had an 'Irish' theme!
Bro. President, John Lord and his wife, Samantha


John with his daughters, Rachel and Rebecca and Bro. Provincial President, Robert Thompson.

Bro. Steve Morgan separates Bro. Brian Walton, painfully from his money on the Tombola stall!

(l to r) Rachel, Rebecca, Samantha, John, Mrs. Val Tudor, Bro. Robert Thompson, Mrs. Vera Towers, Canon Adrian Towers, Mrs Maxine Conroy, Bro. Director: Mark Conroy.