An 'Out of Province' Experience!

Brother Mike Cowley of Preston & District Circle (144) had the bright idea of going 'out of province' to visit Crewe Circle for their July meeting. Why? Because they're there, of course!

The 'Magnificent Seven' (pictured) met in the Railway Hotel, adjacent to Preston railway station before catching the 18:17 train to Crewe. Arriving in Crewe at 7pm. It was just a short taxi ride to where Circle 147 meet, at The Hunters' Lodge Hotel.

We were given a truly warm, 'Catenian' welcome - a free drink and an excellent, free buffet as well as an entertaining meeting.

Our return taxi was booked for 22:30. (I think we were keeping some of '147' from their beds!)

Pictured above, awaiting for the last train of the day from Crewe station are (l to r) brothers John Lord, Andrew Kok (President), Bill Kelly, John Waddingham, Mike Cowley, Tony Murphy (Vice-President) and Anthony Donlan.

PS. Note the yellow sign in the background!!

Cartmel Barbecue(!) Race Day - 23rd July

A Day out at Cartmel Races

Six weeks of record breaking sunshine, a drought, an impending  hose-pipe ban, our luck was going to be in for a very hot, sunshine day at Cartmel! 

Roll on those winning gee gees......or not!

Never let it be said that a bit of rain would stop Circle 144 from enjoying themselves! (Not a BBQ in sight!)

Peter & Helen Van Parys
The ponchos were given out for free by the race-course staff.

Hedley & Joan Corcoran

Anthony Donlan
(Celebrating his **** birthday!)

.....and, yes, we did have some winners!!

Garstang President's Sunday

Garstang President's Sunday on the 22nd July began with the celebration of Holy Mass at 11 a.m. at St Bernard's Church, Knott-end-on-Sea, the home parish of Garstang President Brother Gerard Power.  

After the Mass, which included Provincial Director, Provincial President and their ladies, Circle Presidents and their ladies and Circle Widows, adjourned to the Garstang Country Hotel where they enjoyed an excellent meal.  

At the conclusion of the meal Brother Director, Mark Conroy, presented Garstang Brother, Bob Mallinder with a 50 year's scroll and miniature.

The photographs were taken at various stages of the meal, with the last three relating to the presentation to Brother Bob Mallinder. 

Burnley's July Meeting

Burnley Circle held an unusual meeting in July at Turf Moor. It was very short (21 minutes), very informal dress and was focused around the England v Croatia World Cup Semi final.  We dined at half time and, at the end of 90 minutes, presented a 25 year Membership Scroll to Peter Marsland. 

 Circle President, Ken Tyson, and Provincial President (Jim Livesey) 

flanking Peter (with Harry Potts and Bob Lord supervising) 

Circle members and visitors with Ashley Young in attendance

Burnley Circle Charity Donation

The recently retired President of Burnley Circle completed his final duty by presenting a cheque to Pendleside Hospice from the 2017/2018 Burnley Circle President's Charity Fund.
The photo shows Janet and Terry flanked by Jo Applegate and Leah Hutchinson from Pendleside

A very interesting talk.......at Garstang's meeting

Following Garstang Circle's Meeting on Thursday 19th July, Brother John Calvert, of Furness Circle, entertained the brothers and ladies with a very interesting talk with touches of humour.

Photograph: Brother President of Garstang Circle Gerard Power (left) congratulating Brother John after his talk.

LONGRIDGE CIRCLE CLERGY NIGHT

On Tuesday 17th July President Mike welcomed 5 members of the Clergy to Longridge Circle's meeting along with 2 visiting gentlemen and 9 visitors from other Circles.

The meeting was kept reasonable brief with the production of the "Longridge Trophy Clock", which for the uninitiated is an alarm clock placed on the President's table and whoever is speaking when the alarm sounds buys all present a drink at the bar!!!!

30 sat down to a super meal of Cream of onion and cheese soup followed by fish and chips with the obligatory mushy peas, then a choice of creme brulee, rice pudding (with or without skin), bread & butter pudding, fruit salad or ice cream followed by tea or coffee all for the ridiculously reasonable price of £15. 

An evening spent with friends united by shared faith and values saying "Thank you" to our clergy for their support, all having good fun together.

Canon Thomas H. Doyle(Harry)
Parish Priest of Our Lady & St Michael,
Alston Lane.
A Parish since 1751.

Fr Tom Butler Parish Priest of St Mary & St Michael, Garstang and St Mary & St James, Scorton.
They can trace Parish Priests back to 1685.

Fr Ernest Atlah (left) and 
Fr Mario-Benedict Ashuikeka (below)
 Pastors of Souls at St Mary's Fernyhalgh and Ladywell.

The church dates to 1794 and the Shrine of Our Lady and the Martyrs to 1685.

Both are priests of the Holy Family Fathers and Brothers of the Youth (HFFBY) from Nigeria.

Fr Tim Curtis SJ, Parish Priest of St Peter's, Stonyhurst and Chaplain to Stonyhurst College staff and pupils.
St Peter's dates from 1835 with the College founded in 1593 and moving to Stonyhurst in 1794.




We are fortunate to have such supportive clergy and we thank them for their company and look forward to many more occasions when we share faith and values having good food, good wine, excellent company and FUN!

LONGRIDGE CIRCLE SUMMER BALL

On Friday 13th July (some may think this unlucky!) hosts

Mike and Bridget Bryan circulated welcoming friends from across the Province 10 and beyond to Longridge Summer Ball at The Gibbon Bridge Country Hotel.

 

They were accompanied by their daughter Rebecca and grandson Sam.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        As for the last 3 years the venue once again proved to be second to non and thanks go to Janet, Edward and their staff for the wonderful ambience and the presentation of this fabulous venue.

The meal was superb with many commenting on the presentation and efficient service. The entertainment was hailed as exceptional befitting such a prestigious event and on such a beautiful evening the doors were opened to the garden and many took advantage of the available patio furniture to sit and savour the evening air, this of course between shaking a leg on the regularly packed dance floor.

Stuart and Ellen McNeill from Brooklands Circle

Some of the revellers taking a breather between dances.

Now there's a face not easily forgotten!!!

Dancing the Night Away

After nearly 6 hours of enjoying each other's company it was time to leave with the memories of another fabulous evening with friends and not forgetting those who couldn't join us this year, but hoping as someone once sang "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day", who knows may be next year at LONGRIDGE SUMMER BALL.