AFTERNOON TEA AT LYTHAM HALL

So on a blisteringly hot sunny August Sunday afternoon ten brothers from the Lytham St Annes Circle and their better halves enjoyed a most splendid afternoon tea in the cool Georgian room of Lytham Hall.

The menu included mini roast beef Yorkshires; turkey and stuffing/pork and apple finger sandwiches; broccoli and English Stilton tartlets; soup of the day; mini prawn cocktails; duck and orange pate crostini; clotted cream and jam scone and a selection of desserts and cakes/patisserie, different trifle with as much tea/coffee and water as one liked. In short, enough food to feed the most ravenously hungry of us and for those that found it a little too much some very posh takeaway boxes to continue the afternoon tea at a later time at home although Adrian offered to help a brother in difficulty or need.

Not only was the food and service excellent but the item that made it beyond anything else was the very fine company of the Brothers and their ladies.

This was one of the social events now being arranged by the Circle and was a fabulous success and laid the foundations for more social events outside the boundaries of the monthly meetings.

The only drawback was the schoolboy error of not taking a photograph of all present so for those who were, enjoy the great memory, and for those who couldn’t, just use your imagination!

CHORLEY CIRCLE ON THE WATER

A group of ten Brothers and Ladies of Chorley Circle recently enjoyed a cruise on the Lancaster Canal from Barton Grange Marina. A lunch of fish and chips was enjoyed during the (almost) two-hour voyage, accompanied by drinks of either the alcoholic or non-alcoholic variety. Before sailing we were warned that, if for any reason we should find ourselves overboard, in the water, we should just stand up and wade to the bank! Fortunately, none of the group found themselves in that situation, no-one suffered from sea-sickness, and the event was enjoyed by one and all.

PROVINCIAL SUMMER SOCIAL

Whilst some may have had difficulty finding the Cross Keys Inn at I patch wheel (Whitechapel) the effort once there was well worth it.  The inn started life as a farm in the mid-1700s and the hamlet of Whitechapel lies on the border of the Forest of Bowland, an area of outstanding natural beauty.   

The room in which we dined was large and spacious and we occupied half of it.  The buffet was exceptionally good with ample choices of food which allowed some to have seconds.  When it came to the desserts they were to die for.  Each table was supplied with two platters of delicious sweets, including meringues adorned with fruit and café Renoirs. The people on some tables couldn’t eat them all!  The staff were very pleasant and helpful.

There were two quizzes, one on places within Province 10 but in anagram form – an example is shown above; the other, photos of bridges in Lancashire.  These definitely got the grey matter going particularly the anagrams with missing letters!  All the people there had a wonderful time and those who weren’t there missed a splendid occasion.  

GOLF SUCCESS

Although there is little evidence ten Province 10 golfers won the Southwater Trophy recently.  This trophy is contested annually between Provinces 1, 10 & 17 and it is a few years since we won it.  Perhaps that is why last year's winners didn't even bring the cup for it to be handed over!  The only photograph that I have received was taken at the first tee.

Jack Knight (Chorley), Province 17 player, Dave Parkinson (Rochdale and National Golf Captain), Andrew Sowerby (Manchester North & Middleton and Director Province 1)

PROVINCIAL BOWLS DAY

On Sunday 9 July 2022 the culmination of the 2021/22 inter Circle competition was concluded at St Michael's on Wyre.  The weather was perfect for the last four teams [Burnley, Garstang, Lytham St Annes and Preston & District 144] to battle it out.

The semi-finals were between Lytham St Annes v Burnley and Garstang v Preston 144.  Two games from each semi-final were played at the same time and the results were LSA 1 Burnley 4 and Garstang 2 Preston 144 3.

The two finalists were evenly matched with the last two games both finishing 21-19 with Burnley triumphant.

Following the match most competitors and their supporters repaired to the Horns at Churchtown for an excellent meal.

A huge thanks to Lawrence and Barbara Turner for making all the arrangements and providing the much needed refreshments.  Thank you also to Mike Finley for organising the event.

THE WINNERS - John McNabb, Ken Tyson, Mick Armfield (captain), Peter Nuttall, Terry Hephrun.

 and GBVP Mark Conroy who had to present the cup in the absence of the Provincial President 

and Provincial VP.

THE OTHER FINALISTS - Peter Van Parys, Steve Morgan, Shaun Horsfield, Andrew Cok, Tony Murphy

Some spectators

What do I do with this?

Should he have taken it?

Catenians support their parish

 The Catholic Church of St. Clare of Assisi in Fulwood, Preston 

is 'blessed' with brothers from two local circles, 

Preston 14 and Preston 144.

When the parish priest, Fr. Andrew Allman, launched an appeal to replace the Station of the Cross in the church, the Circles weren't slow in offering financial support.

Consequently, the two Presidents, Mark Woodacre (left) and Mike Swift (right), each presented Fr. Andrew with a cheque for £250, which he gratefully acknowledged.

RECRUITMENT WALK

On Thursday July 7^th Broughton in Craven Circle organised a walk from their meeting venue, The Tempest Arms at Elslack. It was advertised in the local parishes. The walk was about four miles and included the ascent of Elslack Moor. The weather couldn’t have been better and 20 walkers turned out, including GB National VP Mark Conroy and his wife Maxine, along with six Broughton Brothers, their wives, their friends and some parishioners.

It took a bit less than two hours and then we all repaired to the pub for food and drink after the Circle meeting. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the Circle is thinking of arranging another walk in the not too distant future.