Garstang Circle's Charity Concert

Garstang Circle held a very successful and enjoyable 

President's Charity Concert at the Garstang Country Hotel on 

Friday, 29th March, with an evening of music  provided by the Pilling Jubilee Silver Band, in aid of the Meningitis Research

Foundation.

Brothers, ladies and friends from across Province formed a very appreciative audience and their support was very much appreciated.

Many, many thanks from the President and brothers of Garstang Circle.

The Pilling Jubilee Silver Band

President of Garstang Circle, Brother Gerard Power, thanks the band conductor at the end of a very enjoyable evening.

Burnley Circle's 'end of year' meal

Burnley Circle celebrated the end of Ken Tyson’s Presidential Year with a meal at Ballard Italian Restaurant. 

Preston Circle 14 out in force at Provincial Installation

Sunday's installation at Ferrari's was a wonderful occasion, with Circle 14 joint member Terence Donnelly - and Sandra - being invested as Provincial President - for the second time!
A wonderful meal was enjoyed by all, and it was great to see another Circle 14 joint member, Tony Halliwell - and Jenny - in attendance. Pictured are a few of the Preston Circle Brothers in attendance.

Garstang Circle's Charity Night

Preston 144 support Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Brother Andrew Kok chose the Rosemere Cancer Foundation as the charity for his presidential year. (Two Circle brothers are currently receiving treatment at the unit.)

A cheque for £2,000 was presented to the foundation. Most of this amount was raised at a BBQ at the home of John and Sandra Waddingham. The balance was from personal donations and the Circle raffles.

A cheque was presented to Julie Hesmondhalgh, the Area Fundraising Co-ordinator for Rosemere.

Pictured (L to R). Anthony Donlan (Circle Press & Publicity Officer), John Waddingham, Andrew Kok (President), Julie Hesmondhalgh and Tony Murphy (Vice-President).

MADAGASCAR REPORT

 Miss Ruth Walbank, who is a student at Lancaster University and a parishioner of St. Mary & St. Michael’s Church, Garstang, was a recipient of an award from the Catenian Bursary Fund last year to support her in her voluntary work in Madagascar.

After the Garstang Catenians monthly meeting in March at the Garstang Country Hotel, Ruth came to the Catenians and their ladies and gave an excellent presentation about her voluntary work in Madagascar, which included showing good quality coloured photographs on a large screen Ruth had taken with her camera when carrying out her work.

It was a very interesting and enjoyable evening; it certainly drew the attention of Ruth’s audience and was thoroughly enjoyed by the attendees.

Photograph left to right-front row; Brother Gerard Power, Garstang President, Ruth Walbank, Brother Mark Conroy, Provincial Director.

Rear: Brother Terence Donnelly, Bursary Fund Committee member, Father Tom Butler, Parish Priest of St. Mary & St. Michael’s Church, Garstang.

Drama as Burnley Circle take on KSC 110

There was late drama at KSC 110 Club Burnley recently. 
The score in the annual KSC 110 v Burnley Catenians was tied at 10-10 with one final domino game remaining. 
Jamie Capstick (KSC Action & Youth Officer) was summoned from his role behind the bar to join Terry Hephrun to face Ken Tyson (Catenian President) and Mark Conroy (Province 10 Director). 
The tension was ratcheted up as the third end was tied and had to be replayed. However, the KSC's calm heads triumphed to retain the Whitbread Trophy. 
A good night was had by all, not least because of the excellent food provided by Trevor Ireland and Ray Wiliamson. The fraternal spirit, exemplified by the photo of Ken Tyson and Trevor Ireland (KSC Grand Knight), was further sustained in that many of the participants could have played for either side.

CHORLEY CIRCLE’S MAGNIFICAT SEVEN

At the March meeting of Chorley Circle seven Brothers received 25-year miniatures. 

Between them their length of membership of the Association totalled 245 years, an average of 35 years each, although several of them will be receiving their 40-year miniatures in only 3 years. 

From left to right they are Nick Hanley, John Holland, Eddie Brierley, Bob Hodgson, George Culshaw, Bernard Kiley, and Damian Turner.

Provincial Weekend

The final event of the weekend was Holy Mass celebrated by a local retired priest, Fr Colin Wilson.  Mike Fitzpatrick provided the music for the hymns.  After the mass the traditional group photograph was taken.

Congratulations to Provincial President Jim Livesey and Angela and all those who helped in organising the weekend.

Provincial Weekend - the Gala Dinner Dance

The highlight of the weekend was the spectacular gala dinner dance on the Saturday night.  Over 100 of us sat down to a splendid meal served without delays in very pleasant surroundings.  

Following a very short thank you speech by Bro. Provincial President Jim Livesey there was dancing to music provided by a DJ.  After a slow start the dance floor was rarely clear.  The photo below was taken at a quiet period.

Provincial Weekend - the walk

This year's walk was well organised by John and Sue Mills and attracted 15 walkers.  Whilst the forecast threaten rain the 15 set off in cars to Marbury Country Park where the five mile walk to the Anderton Boat Lift began.  As with most of Cheshire the land is flat but the path was muddier than we had been led to believe.  We approached the boat lift from the Trent & Mersey Canal.  The group are shown here about to reach the towpath.

 

  

As you approach the boat lift from the canal you don't get a sight of it until you are there as you are level with the top of lift.  The magnificence of the Victorian structure can only be appreciated from the grounds of the Visitors Centre with its cafe, shop, museum and viewing area.  

The Weaver Navigation is 50 feet below the level of the Trent & Mersey Canal.  Unfortunately there were no boats using the lift whilst we were there but on the bright side it did not rain.  

Preston 144 at the Provincial Weekend.

Three couples met up at Chester Cathedral and added to the Lego building of the Cathedral. 

It is now at 175,000 bricks and needs to get to 350,000.

Details here https://chestercathedral.com/visit-us/lego/ 

Vicky Kok is adding a piece to the model 

Preston 144's table at the evening Dinner Dance.