Stephanie's latest blog

I'm still having a great time and 

I'm sad it'll be coming to an end soon.

The monsoon has finally started so enjoying 

some much cooler weather.

Click on the picture to read Stephanie Beech's latest blog.

Preston & District Charity BBQ

Preston & District Circle held a highly successful charity barbecue at the home of Brother John & Sandra Waddingham.

The Circle President, John Lord, chose the Preston Metanoia Group as his charity for the year. The Metanoia Group  provides invaluable assistance to the homeless in Preston.

The barbecue raised a magnificent - £2,101.95!

Thank you to all who supported it.

The Bartenders, John & Shaun waiting for customers.
(They didn't have to wait long!)

The Prady Family with host, John.

Peter & John, from Longridge Circle, learning how to run a BBQ!

Marie, Jenny and Joan raising a glass.

The chefs sweating over hot barbecues

The 'primeval instinct' - cooking over a fire.

Rebecca and Joseph selling tickets for a bumper raffle.

Just to prove it's not raining.

John & Ted sampling the food.
(We think he lived to tell the tale.)

Peter and Marie being 'photo-bombed' by Ann.
Now you see her.......

.....now you don't!

Margaret and Norma discussing the finer points of the wine?

Visitors from Accrington and Chorley circles.

John demonstrates the skills involved in playing croquet.

Canine Assistance - at Preston South Circle

It’s always been said a dog is a man’s best friend and this was certainly borne out at a recent ladies evening at Preston South 235.

Brother President, Steve Edwards’s wife, Debbie, arranged for Deborah Cornwall a local lady to come along and demonstrate what a difference an assistance dog can make by carrying out day to day tasks for people with a disability. 

She is currently training Dillon who sat very attentively and when asked he showed how he could locate, retrieve and then give Deborah her phone back which is just one of many tasks he can help her with. At this early stage in his training it may just be good luck but Dillon even picked up the right Warburtons loaf in the local supermarket. 

Deborah links in to Assistance Dogs UK, which is a voluntary coalition of seven assistance dog charities that aims to promote the freedom, independence and rights of people with assistance dogs across the UK.   

The talk was so interesting it was still going on when the brothers finished their meeting so they joined in with some practical demonstrations. 

Despite Dillon being extremely cute Deborah highlighted that it is vitally important that you must never pet an assistance dog as it may distract them at a critical moment when they are needed by their owner.

Steve has only been President for a short while and already Debbie has organised a very popular cheese and wine tasting evening with a local supermarket and there is a comedic acapella group lined up for later in the year. 

If there was an award for the cutest visitor then Dillon would win hands down.

Deborah, Debbie and Dillon

Burnley Circle's Annual Family Bowls Day

Burnley Circle held its annual family bowls day at 

Greenhill Bowling Club on a typically sunny Burnley day. The Circle was joined by members from the KSC and local parishioners. 

The event was organised by Bro Mick Armfield and was followed by pie and peas.

The winners were Derek Gill and Simon Walton with Margaret and Peter Nuttall runners up.  

The photos show the finalists, the presentation of the prizes by Bro President, Michael Jones, including Michael being supported by the youngest participant.

Preston & District Circle celebrate President's Sunday

Brother John Lord, President of Preston & District Circle and his wife, Samantha, chose St. Andrew & Blessed George Haydock church at Cottam for their President's Sunday Mass.

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The Mass, at which John served, was celebrated by Canon Adrian Towers and was followed by Sunday Lunch at Barton Grange Hotel where forty-five guests, whose ages ranged from 1 (yes, 1!) to 80++, enjoyed an excellent three-course meal and convivial company.

Pictured above (l to r back row):

Shaun Aspden (Vice- President), Jean Aspden, Rebecca Lord, Samantha Lord, Rachel Lord.

(Front row) Mrs. Vera Towers, Canon Adrian Towers, John Lord, Helen Cowley and Mike Cowley

Samantha and John with their daughters, Rebecca and Rachel

Preston South Circle support Gallowy's

Brother Arthur Whitlock from Preston South  circle is a strong supporter of Galloway's Society for the Blind, which assists visually impaired people across Lancashire, Sefton and indeed the whole UK.

As the immediate Past President of the circle, Arthur had no problem deciding who he would donate the charity funds to from his year in office and he is pictured presenting Stuart Clayton, Chief Executive of Galloways, with £500. Arthur commented, “I am a regular visitor to the society’s Preston site and in the run up to Christmas, I am  part of a team that play ‘Father Christmas’ in Preston’s St. George’s shopping centre. We are just some of the hundreds of people who help to raise funds towards the £1m needed to meet the costs of the many services that Galloways provide across the North West and beyond”. 

Anyone for croquet?

Furness Circle enjoyed an evening of croquet at the Leven Valley Croquet Club on Tuesday 21st June. The players later retired to the White Hart Inn at nearby Bouth, where they enjoyed a freshly cooked supper.

 

Players Mike, Martin, Kath and Margaret

Standing (Left to Right) Mike Holmes, Martin Holmes, Jim Croskery (President) and Andrew Page

 

Seated (Left to Right) Mrs Kath Jackson, Mrs Margaret Tate and Mrs Pat Payne

The eight player and photographer was Eddie Payne.