LSA Circle Shield Presentation

St Bede’s Catholic High School in Lytham held their Presentation Evening recently at which the LSA Catenian Circle Shield was presented for the sixth year to pupils who were deemed to have given outstanding service to the school.  This year there were three recipients (l to r) Paul Cross, Cerys Topping and Rebekah Riley.  Two of them also received other awards.  Each recipient also receives a miniature shield to keep plus a monetary prize.

A new brother for Preston 144 Circle

At the November meeting of Preston & District Circle, Mr. Andrew Dawson was enrolled in the Association by Circle President, Bro. Shaun Aspden. (above)

Andrew, a parishioner of St. Wilfrid's parish, Preston, lives in Lostock Hall and works as an IT manager with a Manchester drinks distribution company.

Burnley Circle have donated  £640 to help to fund a trip to Lourdes by staff and pupils at Blessed Trinity RC College.  The fundraising was led by Burnley Catenian Circle's President 2016/17, Michael Jones, who organised a series of activities during his year in office.  He presented the cheque in Blessed Trinity's chapel at a Mass to remember Deceased Brothers of the Association.

Staff at Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic College will help to take a group of children on a pilgrimage to Lourdes next Easter.

Lindsay Bleazard, Paddy Martin, John Kelly and Laura Murray will be part of Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust Group 72 headed up by Chris Hawra.  Two pupils from Blessed Trinity and Father Brian Kealey, the former priest of Christ the King parish and a governor at Blessed Trinity, will also be joining the group .

Photo (l-r) Lindsay Bleazard, John Kelly, Michael Jones and Laura Murray

Still going strong at 95! Brother Brian Winstanley

At the start of the meal following Garstang Circle's November Meeting on Thursday, 16th November, in the presence of 37 diners, Garstang Circle President Brother Steve Masterman, took the opportunity to offer birthday greetings to Brother Brian Winstanley on his forthcoming 95 birthday on 24th November and present him

with a gift and card on behalf of the Circle.

Brother Brian has been a Catenian for 63 years, enrolling into Bolton Circle on 11th August,1954, later transferring to Bournemouth Circle. Following his retirement from the teaching profession and taking up residence in Garstang, he transferred from Bournemouth Circle to Garstang Circle on 21st January, 1983.

In subsequent years Brian has held the offices of President and Secretary. He is still an active member of the Circle and is a regular Reader at St. Mary & St. Michael's Church, Garstang . Prior to the November Meeting, Circle held its annual Mass for deceased brothers at St. Mary & St.Michael's Church and, very appropriately, Brother Brian was the Reader at the Mass.

Well done Brian!

The attached photograph taken at the end of the meal shows Brian and his wife Mary

Fifth anniversay of the Province Pals

It is five years since Phil Morris set up the widowers group and we have been meeting monthly ever since.  Until recently we usually met for mass at the Tabor Retreat Centre, Preston and then had lunch at the Sparling restaurant, Barton.  With the closure of Tabor we were fortunate to be able to move to the Ladyewell Shrine at Fernyhaugh which is still convenient for the Sparling.

The photograph shows most of those dining at the November gathering but the sun, (which they say shines on the rightous!) has helped obscure some. 

LONGRIDGE CIRCLE CYCLING GROUP

On a beautiful crisp November Saturday morning they gathered at Cove Cafe, Cleveleys where no doubt copious "bacon butties" and cups of tea were consumed before cycling to Lytham and back.

Eat you heart out Chris Froome

 (Lucky this lot weren't against you in France!)

All champing at the bit to get going 10 miles there and 10 miles back.

Joining Queen's Promenade at Bispham and passing the Norbreck Castle they couldn't resist the photo opportunity at The Tower.

Through the Illuminations (Not illuminated) and on to the Pleasure Beach.

It was a pleasure in deed and on the return ride to Cleveleys into a strong headwind, it was said one could hear the tuneful rendering of:

Well done to Richard for once again showing that there is life in Longridge Circle yet, although on this ride Ted thought he'd lost his way and as he approached Blackpool Tower he was heard to mutter " Sacré bleu ils ont déplacé la Tour Eiffel."

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR LONGRIDGE CIRCLE DECEMBER RIDE.

LONGRIDGE CIRCLE WALKING GROUP

Celebrating over 20 years of ramblings, walks and convivial lunches LONGRIDGE CIRCLE WALKERS visited darkest Yorkshire for a wonderful stay at Solbergh Hall Hotel.

With visits to Fountains Abbey, North Allerton, Masham and Thirsk this was a couple of very busy days with the highlight being a walk around the Swinton Estate and in particular the Folly 

"Druid Stones"

William Danby lived at Swinton Hall commissioned the folly around 1825 paying the labourers, mostly local farmers who's crops had failed one shilling a week so they could support their families.

The walk continued to a headland that produce super views to the north.

With a brief visit to one or two of the local breweries in Masham the hotel provided a "prosecco" reception as part of the package and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

This was followed by private dining with scrumptious food and fine wines.

Our group "posing" before dining and enjoying each others company before retiring for a good night's sleep

To those who missed out on a super trip advice is "get in early next year"!