NOMNTU PROJECT

We all know of the work of Chris and Jane Devereux with the Nomntu Project in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Indeed, it was Bro. President's chosen charity at the Clergy and Ladies Night. Chris and Jane have recently returned from Africa and below are a few photographs to remind us of the needs of the marginalised people, especially women and children, the wonderful work that Chris and Jane do and the sacrifices that they make for others. God bless them both.

Three years ago Nomntu gave three goats to Thebe. Today he has forty three!

This is what a kitchen in a shack looks like! 

Leomi lives in a shack but for the last two years has become top of her class at school

These water tanks collect rain to supply the needs of both humans and animals

Keeping clean by hanging washing on the line

Jane meets some of the Children at the care centre Nomntu helped fund

Thank you.

CAROLS NIGHT

To herald the approach of Christmas, Guildford brothers, wives and widows once again gathered at the home of Tony and Jane Derbyshire. This event is very popular and, as you can see from the photographs below, is always very well attended. A selection of well known favourites were sung to the wonderful piano accompanyment of Maureen Bonello.

The evening commenced with a reading by Jane

Warming up the vocal chords

A speach to the faithful by Bro. President, Kevin

The heavenly choir in full voice

Tucking in after the singing

A floral tribute to Maureen's pianoforte skills

Saying thank you to Jane with flowers presented by Bro.Vice President, Greg

ST PETER'S SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Once again the Guildford Circle were invited by St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive PTA to operate the Bottle Tombola at the school's Christmas Fayre. Our vast experience kicked in and we coped with the onslaught of parents and pupils seeking the best bottles. By the end of the afternoon the majority of bottles had been won and over £550 raised towards school projects. This is just one of the many ways that the Guildford Circle supports Catholic education.

The complete list of helpers on the Bottle Tombola during the afternoon were:- Stephen Rowden, Michael and Maureen Shortland, John and Angela Vickerman, John and Francine Mercer, Guillermo Lopez, Tony Clark, Martin McHugh and Tim Edwards.    

Others from Guildford Circle who were visible on various stalls include: Terence Nagle and Amanda Edwards with Mark and Beverley Reed on Bar-B-Q duty.

The Happy Helpers!

CLERGY NIGHT 2014

Clergy and Ladies Night was once again held at the Guildford Golf Club on Wednesday 3^rd December. This year we were privileged to have nine Priests as our guests who with the brothers, wives and widows, made up a record breaking attendance of 98. The raffle was well supported with many generous prizes being donated. In total, the sum of £500 was raised towards the President's Charity, Nomntu. This Charity is in fact run by Bro. Chris Devereux and it  supports marginalised children and adults in South africa.

A good time was had by all which, I believe, is apparant from the photographs below. However, I must apologise for the quality of these photographs which were taken by yours truly, Mark Wilson, PPO, on my wife’s camera. In consequence, there are headless priests and legless brothers (nothing unusual there). The presence and expertise of our usual photographer, the afore mentioned Bro. Chris Devereux not to mention his cutting edge equipment, was greatly missed. I have, therefore, selected some of the better images which hopefully capture the flavour of the evening.

Lady in Red

Blinded by the Light!

Bro. Martin praying for second helpings

The Smart Set

Between courses

Acting Brother Chamberlain rehersing one of his fables with Jane

Bro. Secretary with his resignation letter

The Priests with Bro. Vice President (left) and Bro. President (right). Unfortunately Fr Chris Bergen has lost his head but it has been re-attached in the following photograph

Hazel enjoying the company of Fr Chris Bergen complete with head

A SPARKLING BONFIRE NIGHT

The Guildford Circle’s 5^th of November meeting was challenging for many brothers especially for those travelling from outside of the great metropolis. Farnham brothers, for example, hit heavy traffic on the Hog’s Back due to an accident on the A3 which was further aggravated by two accidents in Guildford itself. On top of all this, it was, of course, Bonfire Night and many roads in and around Guildford were closed.

However, the intrepid Catenian Brolthers shrugged off these problems and the meeting commenced on time. It was a pretty good turnout with 41 Guildford brothers in attendance plus one visiting gentleman. However, the main focus of the evening was on Fr. Laurence from St Augustine’s Abbey at Chilworth who spoke to the brothers after dinner. Also in the spotlight were the accompanying six Seminaries all from St. John’s Seminary, Wonersh. 

Below are some photographs taken by our resident photographer, Bro. Chris Devereaux.

Bro. John Vickerman, Fr Laurence and Bro. President, Kevin Deeming

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bro. John Vickerman in conversation with Fr Laurence

Bro. Provincial Councillor, Guillermo Lopez, chatting to one of the Seminaries

Bowl Me Over

Bowl Me Over!

On an autumnal night in September, the Kingston Catenian Tribe had the temerity to journey south from their wild and woolly land to the peaceful pasteurs of Wonersh.There they did battle with the Lords of the Manor, the Guildford Catenians, by throwing pink balls at sticks of wood. In local parlance, it is called skittles. This is a game which can arouse deep passions as knights and their damsels wage war on the battle field of the Grantley Arms skittle alley.

 

Discussing tactics

After much push and shove, and an excellent curry meal, believe it or not, it was a dead heat. War Lord Barry Dale (see picture below) jousted with one ball against the Second-in Command of the Kingston Tribe.  

Bro. Barry in action

Unbelievably, Guildford were defeated and the prize is seen being handed over by the Chief of the Guildford Tribe, with much gnashing and grinding of teeth.

Brother President (right) hiding his emotions when he presented the Kingston VP, Bro. William Eckert with the Holy Grail

The Guildford Tribe has already gone into training for next year so Kingston had better beware! There could be blood on the ground and hearts, and heads, broken.Better lock up your wives and daughters. Girlfriends too!

Nevertheless, it was a good evening and the jousting soon turned to jesting! Below are a few more photographs of the valliant efforts of some of the Guildford brothers and wives.

Merve the Swerve

Unfortunately, Bro. Michael's shot was to land short! 

The Lady in white eyes her target!

She stoops to conquer!