PROVINCIAL CAROL CONCERT

Garstang Circle again organised the annual carol concert on behalf of Province.  This year only three circles provided choirs, there are still 13 circles in the Province and less than half were represented!  Those who attended the event had a most enjoyable evening.

Garstang Circle choir

Lytham St Annes Circle choir

Accrington Circle choir

LSA CIRCLE FAMILY CHRISTMAS LUNCH

The Circle's traditional family Christmas lunch was held at the Glendower Hotel with 90 people sitting down to dine, a lower number than in previous years.  After a suburb meal,  Father Christmas and his loyal Elf arrived and distributed presents to all the children and the wives of our deceased Brothers.  Also one lucky Brother was summoned FOUR times by Santa.  (He must have been exceptionally good!)  Then followed a good raffle and carol singing accompanied on the hotel's baby grand piano.  A really good start to Christmas.

HERE WE GO ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH

 On a fine October morning, Sunday 30th October, 12 intrepid souls from the Longridge Walking Group (and two to follow later) set out, in cars, not on foot, travelling to North Wales and in particular a little village Llwynmawr, near Chirk which is near Llangollen and a fine country Inn "The Mulberry Inn".

On Sunday they strolled a route around the Pont Cysyllite Aqueduct and of course included the obligatory snack in the local pub.

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct consists of a cast iron trough supported 126 feet above the River Dee and is 1007 feet long. It took 10 years to construct, is the longest aqueduct in Great Britain, and is the highest canal aqueduct in the world.

Although the navigable channel is only 7 feet wide, the water trough is 12 feet wide with a cantilevered towpath. Don't look down, Joe!!

Our host at the Mulberry Inn was Alan and he along with chefs Richard and Matt and the waitress team of Jess, Georgia, and Sophie made us most welcome. We enjoyed a wonderful variety of menus, not to mention the complimentary wine each evening.

Monday saw us walking from Llangollen and I let the pictures do the talking:

Tuesday a circular walk from Chirk and the Castle along PART of Offahs Dike

The gates to Chirk Castle were started in 1712 by the 3rd baronet and his instructions were carried out by Robert and John Davies, ironsmiths of Croes Foel, Bersham. 

 

This was incorporated in an enlarged scheme of 1718-21 by the Davies brothers for the forecourt screen to the Castle. 

                    Tunnels             and                                  The Chirk Aqueduct

And with a welcome final night dinner, we celebrated a few days in beautiful Wales, with plenty of walking (over 20 miles completed and some even more), a very enjoyable hotel (wonderful food), and of course the best of friendship and company.

From all who enjoyed the "days away" many thanks to Denise and Peter Russel for their superb arrangement of the hotel and the organisation of the walks.  THANK YOU

Thank you to Barry and Jack and any other contributors for the photographs.

Posh pie night

Burnley Circle has been able to restart the former annual Pie Night at Rolls Royce Social Club, Barnoldswick. Brothers were joined by Brothers from Broughton-in-Craven Circle and wives, families and friends.

 

Broughton Ladies Evening

On the 8^th October 2002 Broughton-in-Craven Circle organised a low-key ladies evening at their usual venue, the Tempest Arms, Elslack.  A good time was had by all. The flower posies and prosecco were much appreciated by our ladies. 

 

Another new Brother

John Sunderland is a new member of the Broughton-in-Craven Circle and lives in Silsden, on the periphery of Province 10. John is a retired engineer and speaks Dutch fluently as his wife, Corrie, comes from Rotterdam. Both are also coming to our Provincial Weekend in March, an excellent way to meet more Catenians. 

 

Circle president Tom Hayes, new member John Sunderland and Director Terence Donnelly.

BURNLEY CLAIM ANOTHER TROPHY

Burnley Circle's run of sporting (and other) success continues. The Circle's snooker team won the Province 10 2021/22 Snooker Knock Out competition by beating Preston 14 in the final held in an upper room at the KSC 110 Club, Burnley, not far from Turf Moor. This was the first time that the final had been staged there.

The winning team [L to R] - Terry Walne, Circle Pres. John McNabb, Ken Tyson, Mick Armfield, Robert Thompson and Terry Hephrun

The trophy was presented to Burnley's captain Mick Armfield by Robert Thompson, the only representative of Province there. 

The finalists

Thank you to Preston 14's President Mike Swift for taking the photos.  He was there to support his team.  There were no other supporters.

This victory for Burnley follows the Circle winning the Province 10 2022 Crown Green Bowls Competition in July, and earlier this year, Burnley Brother (and GB NVP) Mark Conroy won the Rowland Young Memorial Bowl at the National Golf Competition.  Both these events have been reported on the blog.

Finally, the Circle is the holder of Province 10's Mather Trophy.