Accrington win closely contested Provincial bowls final

Four teams - from Accrington, Blackpool, Burnley and Longridge Circles - competed for the Provincial bowls trophy at St Joseph's bowling green in Chorley on Sunday 27 August. The weather was set fair, and there were some close encounters to keep the spectators interested.

Burnley Circle as holders of the trophy, gave their opponents, Blackpool Circle, a start of 4 points in each rubber; Blackpool had only 4 players - and one of those was a guest - but Des, Mike and Brian each won their rubber to give Blackpool a 3 - 2 win. The other semifinal between Accrington and Longridge was also closely fought, Accrington prevailing in the end.

So a gripping final took place between Accrington and Blackpool. The result was close, Accrington winning by 3 to 2.

The winning Accrington team of Jeff Brown, captain Simon Preugschat, Frank Bradshaw, Mike Finley and Paul Birch with the spoils, including the Provincial bowls trophy

Everyone enjoyed a great afternoon's fun and friendship, and thanks again go to Mike Finley for organising everything so well - and to Carol and her merry band of ladies for supplying seemingly endless cups of tea and coffee!

Broughton in Craven Circle spend the day at the Test Match.

Members of Broughton in Craven Circle spent Friday 25th August watching England play the West Indies at Headingly. 

What a day! We saw 10 England wickets and 1 West Indies wicket, Root equalling the world record of 12 x 50s plus in consecutive test innings, Stokes get a century, and Gabriel and Roach get 4 wickets each.

Pity we will have to follow the rest on tv. Good luck England. 

Oh yes and we watched an attempt at the worlds longest beer glass snake. This despite signs saying not to build one. Some interesting fancy dress too.

Thanks to VP Michael Limb for arranging the trip.

Province Pals move to a new venue

For nearly five years the widowers group has met at Tabor Carmelite Centre in Preston each month for Mass before repairing to the Sparling hostelry for lunch.  Following the decision of the Carmelites to close Tabor the group now meet at the Ladyewell shrine near Fernyhalgh.  As the resident priests at Fernyhalgh have their own masses and commitments we are very fortunate to have obtained the services of Fr Philip Newbold, seen in the photograph below, to say mass on a regular basis.  Fr Philip recently retired from a parish in the Archdiocese of Birmingham and is very well acquainted with Catenians having being the chaplain to Province 6. 

The Pals are greatly indebted to the Carmelite priests at Tabor for their welcome and support over the years.

Any widower who does not receive information about the monthly masses can contact Bro. Jim Livesey of Burnley Circle.     

Some of the Pals in the chapel at Ladyewell

Garstang Circle's Annual Putting Competition

Garstang Circle held its Annual Putting Competition at the

Garstang Country Hotel following the Circle's monthly meeting

on Thursday 17th August 2017.

Brothers and their ladies took part in the competition.

Fortunately, despite recent bad weather, the weather was favourable for the event.

The winner was Brother Tony Burrow, Garstang Circle, and the photograph shows Garstang Circle President, Brother Steve Masterman (left) presenting Brother Tony with the 'Putting Trophy' which he will retainfor 12 months.

LSA Open House & Strawberry tea

A good number of Lytham St Annes members and others from around Province converged on the northern home of Adrian & Susan Crook for a delightful afternoon.  The weather was glorious, the food spectacular and the raffle enormous and the company just enjoyed themselves.  All was in aid of Brother President Tony Godden's charities, Catenian Scholarship at Bethlehem University and Macmillan Cancer Care and a good sum was raised.  However further donations have been promised and will be accepted by either Bro. Tony or Bro. Adrian.  The final amount will be announced when they have been received.  As if on cue there was a fly past in their famous formation by the RED ARROWS just as Bro. Tony finished his thank yous.

 

A small selection.  There were strawberries as well - honest.

And the winner was ...

Mrs Lois Clarke, closely followed by Bro. Mike Cowley [and you think I win a lot!!]

 

"TOUCHLINE FABRICATIONS" GOLF TROPHY

On Friday 11th August (Summer we're told?!!) 28 intrepid golfers arrived in pouring rain at Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club.

They were there at the invitation of Steve & Jane Hardacre who for the past 4 years have provided a "Touchline" Trophy for the best Stableford score.

Someone's making a splash

It proves to be a challenge for all in very testing conditions.

That's not a lake or even a pond!

Kirkby Lonsdale is a lovely course (when it's dry). It's "fining up" we kept hearing.

From the shelter of some trees.... it takes more than rain to stop these keen fellas!

One or two tears were shed, mainly at the final scores.

All returned safely to the club house and enjoyed a lovely meal and convivial company. Congratulations to all who took part and in particular Runner up DAVE GREEN with 34 points and  Winner of the "Touchline Trophy 2017" JAMES FOX with a fabulous 35 points. (Maybe Grandad can arrange a photo of the winner for the blog?)

Thanks again to Steve and Jane for arranging the annual golf day and they promise to look at arranging next year's event in Majorca!!!!!!

Accrington Circle has been busy socialising

Accrington Circle's President's Sunday commenced with Mass at St Anne's Church in Accrington. Following Mass around 100 people sat down to a splendid lunch at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel. This was an extra special occasion for President Andrew Dabrowski as some of his relatives had travelled from Arnham to help him celebrate. In the photograph Andrew seems at a loss as to where he put the notes for his speech.

Following Accrington's July Circle Meeting an enjoyable game of "Call my Bluff" took place. This produced some hilarious and very plausible, even when incorrect, explanations of the chosen word. The winning team lead by Nick McNeil just pipped Andrew Snape's team. However the team lead by Peter Western didn't even trouble the scorer. In fact the consensus of opinion was that they were lucky to score "nil points". Mike Neild did an excellent job as MC and kept the game moving. The photo below shows from left to right : Andrew Snape, Peter Western, Nick McNeil, Mike Neild and President Andrew Dabrowski.

On 11th July a party of around 28 members, family and friends of Accrington Circle met at Riley Green and enjoyed a 3 hour cruise along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on board the MV Romance. Lunch and liquid refreshments were taken on board which helped to blot out the appalling weather. The event was a deemed a great success and many thanks went to President Andrew and Karen for their organisation. The attached photograph shows Peter and Joan Western about to take lunch.

RICHARD'S RALLY RIDE

 On a glorious August morning 12 cyclist gathered to attempt the circular route from Glasson Dock to Heysham and back led by that intrepid cyclist Richard "the biker" Maher.

 
“Carbing up” on bacon butties before the start was the order of the day.

Not exactly the "Tour de France" line-up but this is more ""Tour pour plaisir" or not as the case may be!!   

     Safe arrival at Morecambe…..no show yet by Bob….punctured!

Around St Patrick's Chapel are the remains of eight rock cut graves hewn from the headland, several of which are body shaped and have rock cut sockets, possible for wooden crosses. It is thought that the graves were created around the eleventh century and were used for burying very high status individuals. (Amazing what you can learn on a bike ride)

On the way home now and crossing the Millennium Bridge Lancaster with the end in mind.

The scenery is some of the best in Lancashire providing spectacular views over towards Overton and Sunderland Point with the Lake District Fells in the distance on a clear days, but here a rather older bridge.

Cafe d'Lune sits directly beside the Lune Estuary a Multi-User Path leading from Lancaster to Glasson Dock. The track is flat hard packed surface used by our intrepid cyclists. It followed the River Lune up to the Quayside in Lancaster after going over the Millennium Bridge, passing Morecambe from Heysham.

Reward…afternoon tea one mile from the finishing line!

And after a fabulously successful  second Bike ride could this be a Longridge member pondering where the 

THIRD MONTHLY LONGRIDGE BIKE RIDE WILL BE?

Broughton-in-Craven International Skittles Competition

The Broughton-in-Craven Circle annual international skittles competition was held last night at the Tempest Arms, Elslack, following the August Circle meeting. A good turn out of Brothers - both from Broughton-in-Craven and other Circles around Province - enjoyed a very pleasant and convivial evening, with excellent free buffet provided by the Circle.

Winner Neil Goodall, centre of picture, between President Chris Beesley and runner up John Hill

This year's winner of the trophy, superbly turned by Brother David Wortley of Broughton-in-Craven Circle, was Brother Neil Goodall, of Accrington Circle. Last year's winner was Brother Provincial Membership Officer Mike Finley, also of Accrington Circle. I am sure the Broughton-in-Craven Brothers will be very determined to regain their own trophy next year, but as their President, Brother Chris Beesley, said after the event, "as a long standing Brentford FC supporter, I am only too well aware that the important thing isn't the winning, it's the taking part".

It was great to see two visiting gentlemen, Simon and Tony, enjoying their first visit to the Circle so much, and we all hope they will return for further fun and games at future Broughton-in-Craven meetings and social events.

Circle Membership Officer Chris Bohills (on left) clearly can't believe the result ...

Many thanks to Broughton-in-Craven Circle, and in particular the skittle replacing team of Brothers Chris Bohills and Chris Nash, for a splendid night's entertainment, raising nearly £100 towards Brother President's charity.

We would like to extend an invitation to our Summer Open Day at Larmenier Retirement Village

We have several members of your organisation within the Village so, it is with the greatest of pleasure that we are inviting the members of your organisation to our Summer Open Day, which will be held on Wednesday, 23rd August between 2pm and 5pm.

We are holding this event to raise funds for the East Lancashire Hospice. Please help us support this worthy cause by joining us for fundraising activities and collections.

We thought that you might be interested in seeing what Larmenier Retirement Village has to offer and to get to know the Village community.

Enjoy the sounds of Old New Orleans from the Silver Bell Band, while you talk to Village residents and staff. You will also have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Village's beautiful grounds, see the range of social and leisure facilities available and view some of our spacious apartments.

Complimentary light refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.

So that we can cater appropriately, please ask any members who would like to attend to RVSP by phone, email or post by 12th August (details are on the invitation above).