Six Provinces Mass for Deceased Brothers

On the 15th November, thirty six brothers and ladies from the Guildford Catenians attended Mass at Westminster Cathedral. The Celebrant was Cardinal Vincent Nichols who paid tribute to the Catenian Association and to the memory of deceased brothers from all six provinces. A list of the names of deceased brothers was solemny read out and Grand President Bro. Peter Woodford gave the Reading.There was also a tribute to the victims of the murderous attack in Paris by ISIL just two days before. A candle had been lit and displayed on the alter in their memory.

Following Mass, the majority of the Guildford Brothers and Ladies gathered for lunch at our favourite Italian restaurant, 'Sicily'. It was previously known as Da Scalzo but had been renamed since we visited it last year. In a friendly and relaxed atmosphere we enjoyed a delicious meal washed down with good Italian wine. 

A little bit of history on the restaurant, Da Scalzo opened in Belgravia, London in September 2008. Its founders, two Italian brothers named Robert and Enzo Scalzo, launched their all-day brasserie and gallery concept having made their name with their hugely successful chain of cafes, Patisserie Valerie. The building, once a chapel, is grade 2 listed and retains many original features. 

We Catenian diners are always seated upstairs on our own in an open gallery/mezanine where we have a good view of what's going on. It has occurred to me that this location may have been allocated to us in case we get too boisterous and disturb diners in other parts of the restaurant.

Below are a few pictures I took on my iphone. Not brilliant but the lighting was subdued.

Can anyone lend me a tenner?

Bro. Kevin taking a picture of me taking a picture of him!

Well behaved

Where's the little boys room?

Anyone for Tennis?

Oh those halcyon days basking in an English Indian Summer! One such day occured in September at the annual Guildford Circle Tennis Tournament organised, as usual, by Bro. Secretary, Steve Rowden. The tournament was held at Sutherland Memorial Park in Burpham and, as is customary, was open to Guildford Brothers, their Ladies and to other circles. Many thanks to Guildford Brothers; Stephen Ballard, Andrew O'Neill and Stephen Rowden who together with our Ladies: Barbara Dale, Joan Palmer, Katie Brennan and Anne Wilson, gave an excellent representation of Catenian tennis. Thanks also to Paul Sloane of Ascot & Sunningdale circle and Walter Noronha of West Surrey for participating in a truly excellent and highly competitive sporting afternoon.

Yours truly, was appointed score keeper a task not as easy as one might think especially when I was responsible for coaching my wife. At the end of the afternoon, the outright winner of the 2015 Tournament was Guildford Catenian, Bro. Andrew O'Neil. The Ladies winner was Joan Palmer also of Guildford. The presentation of the Trophy to Bro. Andrew was made by Bro Stephen Ballard, Vice-President of the Guildford Catenian Circle, who also presented Joan with a bottle of bubbly!

Sadly for the Wilsons, Anne missed appearing on the champion's podium by just one point! Maybe next year she will take a leaf out of England RFU's book and appoint a Southern Hemisphere coach with a Welsh surname!

Warming up

Sussing out the opposition

The winners with Bro.Stephen Ballard

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

The Provincial Public Speaking Competition was held at St Peter’s Catholic School, Guildford on the evening of Monday 16th October. Nine students from local Catholic schools and colleges took part each giving an impressive 4 minute presentation on a topic of their own choosing.  A panel of three expert judges chose the winner: Percy Fagent of St George’s College, Weybridge whose chosen topic was “Reality Check”.  The runner up was Barnaby Ridley of Salesian College, Farnborough whose presentation was entitled “I’m Barnaby Ridley, but who the hell are you?” 

Provincial President Kevin Rourke compered the proceedings and presented the winner, Percy Fagent, with the Public Speaking Shield. The event was well attended by Catenians from throughout the Province including our own President, Greg Melly, and nine other Guildford brothers.

Percy Fagent, winner of the Public Speaking Shield and runner up, Barnaby Ridley

Kevin Rourke at the end of the proceedings thanking and congratulating the nine entrants for their presentations

 

November 2015 Circle Meeting

The November 4th Circle meeting really was an auspicious occasion. Not only were two new brothers enrolled, Andy Cochrane and Sam Shaw the latter being Brother Secretary's son in law, no less! Also, the Circle was visited by two Seminaries from St John's, Wonersh; Daniel Weatherley and Andrzey Niski. Most importantly, however, it was the Press and Publicity Officer's Birthday! 

In all, it was a very good circle meeting enhanced by Daniel Weatherley's uplifting account of his life and how events had brought him to study for the Priesthood. Below is a selection of photographs recording the evening and taken, as usual, by our prize winning brother, Chris Devereux. Chris together with his wife Jane, will travel to South East Africa on the 5th of November to continue their work with their charity, the Nomntu Project.

Which of you gentlemen are to be enrolled as subscription paying brothers? 

OK, so we got rid of the Freebies!

Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully because there are no refunds!

Got'em!

I believe you know my daughter?

Seminary Daniel Weatherley

Best Photographer of the Year Award

Guildford Brother meets the Justice Secretary

Talk about name dropping! On Friday 23rd of October, Brother Geoff Bignell met Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, when he visited Disability Initiative (DI), the Camberley day centre for physically-handicapped adults from Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. Geoff, a trustee, and Lucy Brown, Chief executive, had a meeting with Michael Gove before showing him around the facilities which serve 90 clients and offer up to 60 activities including boxing! The Surrey Heath MP met clients and heard how much they valued the support they received from DI. A stroke victim told him that, but for DI, there was no way he could have walked his daughter up the aisle or made a speech at her wedding.

CEO, Lucy Brown explained how a partnership with Cisco Systems was proving very beneficial on both sides. Michael Gove agreed to help the charity develop more relationships with big companies. Stirring a Christmas pudding, he said his wish is that three FTSE 100 companies will link up with DI. During his presidential year, DI was one of Bro. Geoff’s charities. So, If any brother in business is interested in exploring mutually-beneficial links with Disability Initiative, please speak to Bro.Geoff. 

Bro. Geoff Bignell, Lucy Brown and Michael Gove

 

AN AUTUMN WALK

On Friday the 16th of October, eleven Brothers and Ladies congregated at Ranmore Common Road, Dorking, to commence their Autumn outing. The walkers, ten in all, accompanied by Bro. Kevin Deeming on his bicycle, strolled through woods around the National Trust Polesden Lacey House and Estate for two hours in nigh-on perfect weather conditions. As a reward for their exertions, the group continued on to the St Stephen Langton pub for lunch accompanied, no doubt, by copious amounts of liquid refreshment!.

Another Cat and Dog Story!

Looking good in green!

I think it's my turn with the walking stick!

I must meet her!

Leading from the front!

Bringing up the rear!