LCG PELOTON

Cold winds and threats of storms reduced the Longridge Peleton, (number of cyclists if you are a non velocipedist), to six on Saturday 8th February.

Undaunted by the weather and full of the joys of each others company and the wonderful ride starting just outside Langho and taking in the majestic Whalley viaduct, then onto Great Mitton followed by a testing climb to Bashall Eaves with views of the Hodder meandering down the valley.

Despite gasping for air there's still time for a fist pump or two reaching the top of the hill

Or maybe a genteel  wave to the cameraman thanking him for capturing that moment of glory!!

Further steepish climbs past Cross Lane Caravan Park and back downhill on the Slaidburn Road to Waddington.





The usual watering hole in the village was closed for refurbishment so the hungry cyclists hd to travel on to Bashall Barn before food and rest was taken.

Refreshed they cycled back to the starting point having completed 24 miles and climbed 1500 feet.

Some suggest LCG is merely good for cycling but I leave you with a magnificent photograph of the majestic Whalley viaduct.

Maybe our founding father of the LCG is considering a LPG. Keep on snapping Ted!!!!

LWG JANUARY WALK

We met at the usual time of 10.15am at Crook O'Lune Picnic Site where there are the requisite toilets before 18 set off at 10.30am.

The organisers this month were Mary & Barry Fitzgibbon and they had planned a steady stroll down the River Lune to Halton village with some gorgeous scenery and a chance to spot a kingfisher or two.

 As hard as we tried I'm not sure anyone spotted the kingfisher although maybe after a quaff or two at lunchtime it would be more likely!!!!!!

The path was flat most of the way but the last section uphill, made a little more tricky with the wet weather of late, and a well earned rest is taken before the muddy incline.

There's your blogger on the left and what a handsome figure he is!!

Another handsome guy, some will recognise as captain of Preston Grasshoppers 1973/74, Bob Thompson.

We then dined at the Ship Inn and Fr Tom recommends the Cumberland sausage and mash.

There were one or two envious eyes cast in his direction hoping he might find it all too much, but there wasn't even a pea left.

Longridge Walking Group walks on the last Wednesday of the month and all are welcome to join us. If you are interested please contact Bob Barron, bbarron@talktalk.net or Joe Carroll, carroll284@btinternet.com for details.

DARTS & DOMINOES

The annual Phil Morris Memorial Darts & Dominoes evening took place at BAEs Canberra Club, Salmesbury, again this year.  More than sixty brothers representing a good number of Circles within the Province had a most enjoyable evening.   Chorley brothers were elated as their Bro. Brian Bunting won the dominoes with a score of 38, John Burrow of Burnley Circle was the runner up with 36.5 points, AND their darts team beat Preston 14 in the final 2-1.  The darts semi-finals finished much earlier than usual and only the final had to be played after the meal of either hot pot or cheese pie.

Bro. Provincial President thanked the members of Blackburn with Ribble Valley Circle for hosting the evening and for doing so in the past.  In future Provincial Council will run the event.

Provincial President Terence Donnelly and dominoes runner up John Burrow

PP Terence Donnelly and dominoes winner Brian Bunting

Director Mark Conroy with the winning darts team: Lawrence Moore, Terence Donnelly, David Walmsley (captain) and Philip Southworth

ACCRINGTON UPDATE

Following the October meeting Mike Neild organised a "Call my Bluff" session which proved very popular and produced some very witty descriptions and replies. Prior to the November meeting the Circle held its Annual Mass for Deceased Brothers and also the War Dead as this was held on the anniversary of Armistice Day. The celebrants were Fr David Yates and Fr Tim Curtis who are seen on the attached photograph with Circle President Andrew Snape. 

 

 

Following the Mass around 70 Brothers, wives, friends and visitors enjoyed an excellent dinner which was followed by a talk entitled "From Priesthood to Engineering" given by the President of Broughton-in-Craven Circle, Franklin Schutz. This was an account of his life as a priest and afterwards as an engineering representative. The December meeting was followed by Christmas Dinner which around 70 people enjoyed. The after-dinner entertainment was provided by the Circle Choir which in effect was a rehearsal for the Provincial Carol Concert to be held later that week in Garstang. Also in December the Circle Choir joined in the Carol Concert which was a very pleasant evening on the run-up to Christmas. Later in December a party of around 30 members, wives, children and grandchildren enjoyed a visit to the pantomime "Cinderella" in Blackburn.

PAST PRESIDENT'S LUNCH

Over 80 people attended this year's Past President's Lunch at Ferraris near Longridge last Sunday.  Despite a slight hiccup in the number of seats available on each table, (the hotel had ignored the Past Provincial Presidents heading each table!) the food was excellent and the service quick.  The company was of course very genial as usual. After the meal it took a long time for the room to be vacated.

As Provincial President Terrance and Sandra Donnelly are in their second term in the job they hosted two tables with Terrance on one and Sandra on the other.  At some point during the meal they swapped places.

ST BEDES, LYTHAM, PRESENTATION

For many years now Lytham St Annes Circle has provided a shield, plus miniatures, to be awarded to the pupil(s) who, in the view of the school, have best contributed to the life of the school as well as the community.  I had been present at Sunday Mass a couple of weeks before the Presentation evening and witnessed Billy Hotchkiss, a chief altar server, being commissioned as a Minister of the Eucharist.  The other winner was Mya Passi; she is not a Catholic. 

Mya Passi, Robert Thompson (LSA Circle St Bedes school liasion officer), Billy Hotchkiss

Garstang Circle's 'Burns Night'

Following Garstang's Circle meeting on 16th January, the ladies and brothers of Garstang Circle enjoyed a traditional 'Burns Night' dinner compete with haggis, neeps and tatties and a piper to pipe in the haggis. 

Carol Masterman, wife of Brother Steve Masterman, provided a fluent and entertaining rendition of Burns' "To a Haggis" and expertly wielded her knife to cut the haggis along its length before everyone raised their drams to toast the haggis.