Membership Officer's Night

On Monday the 14th November, ten Guildford brothers including Bro. Membership Officer, John Vickerman, invaded the Adelaide hotel in Windsor. The occasion was the annual meeting of the Catenian Membership Officers and this year Guildford considered themselves hot favourites to win the coverted trophy. The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm sharp and was opened by Windsor President Bro. Paul Lock. He welcomed brothers from the many circles who swelled the normal attendance from around a dozen, Windsor is a small circle, to seventy five! When the Circle business had been completed the brothers retired to the bar whilst the meeting room was miraculously transformed by the hotel staff into a dining room! All the brothers then sat down to enjoy a three course meal with coffee and petit fours to finish. 

After dinner the brothers were treated to a humourous speach by honoured guest Grand Vice President Peter Rogers. This was followed by the announcement of this year's winner of the Membership Officer's Cup and to much applause, it was awarded to Guildford! The Membership Officer for Guildford, Bro. John Vickerman, then gratefully and humbly, most unlike him, accepted the cup from Grand Vice President, Peter Rogers. It was generally agreed that the evening had been very successful, especially for Guildford, and most enjoyable. Many thanks to all the brothers who supported Bro. John. They are, in no particular order: Bro. President, Stephen Ballard; Bro.Vice President, William D'Souza; Bro. Secretary, Steve Rowden; Bro. Martin McHugh; Bro. School Liaison Officer, Andy Fogell; Bro. Registrar, Rory Flynn; Bro. Ian Rogers; Bro. Barry Dale and yours truly who took the photos and is, therefore, in none of them, Bro. Marketing Officer, Mark Wilson. 

Brothers in the Bar!

I think it's in the bag

You're sure about this?

Ok, I've just placed a bet to win with Paddy Power!

Put a tenner on for us as well!

The cup is really quite small you know!

Bro. Ian sneaking more than his fair share of the red wine

Caught in the act!

Nervous anticipation

Oh no! Not Guildford!

Grand Vice President Peter Rogers presenting the Cup to Bro. John. ''Congratulations! Did you hire Rent-a-Crowd?''

Bro. John's gratefull and humble address to the brothers

The Victor!

Oh well, that's all over and done with. Yes, thank goodness!

NOVEMBER 2016 CIRCLE MEETING

Guildford Catenians met on the 2nd November, the last meeting of the year before Ladies & Clergy Night in December when there will be no meeting. All the brothers were delighted to welcome Bro. Des Carroll after such a long absence due to illness. He looked as though he'd never been away and managed to tell several of his speciality yarns from the Emerald Isles. To add to the occasion, Bro. Des was presented with his 50 year scroll by Immediate Past Grand President, Peter Woodford. If that wasn't enough, Bro Des was presented by Bro. President, Stephen Ballard, with a bottle of special reserve Irish Whisky together with two Waterford Tumblers.  Bro Des can also be seen below with Bro. Martin McHugh proudly displaying the shield won in the Guildford Circle Golf Tournament. Later in the evening, Bro President presented a silver bracelet to Bro. Patrick Vickerman to commemorate the birth of baby Juliana in September to Patrick and his wife Gabriela.

The meeting was also honoured by the presence of Mgr Vladimir Felzmann the Mother and CEO of John Paul 2 Foundation 4 Sport. Mgr Vlad is also Catholic Chaplain for Sport.

The following day, all brothers received an email from Bro. Registrar, Rory Flyn. Bro Rory was asking for comments on the quality of the meal served the previous night. This request was made as a result of some brothers complaining about the firmness of the base/bottom of the steak & ale pie which was served as the main course. Also, there was a new chef at GGC and this was the first time he had prepared a meal for the Circle. Overall, it transpired that most were satisfied but thought it unlikely that GGC would have a contender for an appearance on Master Chef! Finally, It is purely hearsay that Bro. Claude commented he has always liked firm bottoms! 

Bro. Des and Bro Martin McHugh with the coverted Guildford Circle Golf Shield

Bro. Des proudly displaying his 50 year Scroll with wife, Judy and Immediate Past Grand President, Bro. Peter Woodford

This is a lot better than a 50 year old scroll!

One of the latest slow pouring whisky boxes!

MGR Vlad addressing the Circle

Congratulations from Bro. President to Bro. Patrick Vickerman and his wife Gabriela on the birth of their daughter, Juliana, on the 15th of September. Bro. Patrick was presented with a silver bracelet to commemorate the joyful occasion

Mass for Deceased Brothers

Sunday the 7th of November saw Westminster Cathedral packed with Catenians celebrating Mass for Deceased Brothers. In all, there were fifteen Guildford Brothers and Ladies at the Cathedral thirteen of whom later gathered at the Sicily Restaurant to enjoy a splendid lunch. The restaurant, formerley known as Da Scalza, had obviously undergone a facelift since last year and the new square tables facilitated conversation between the diners far better than the old long tressles. Yours truly together with Anne, were the first to arrive quickly followed by the other diners eager to escape the chilly and  windy conditions around Victoria.

The service at Sicily was much improved on last year and once seated, the first course arrived soon after. Except for mine! Two ladies had changed their minds on their starter and, obligingly, the restaurant accommodated them. This may have contributed to the fact that the chef had run out of prepared squid and had to cook some more! By the time my starter arrived, some ten minutes later, I was in the throes of severe hunger pangs and I attacked the dish voraciously. Red hot peppers and all! Almost immediately, my tongue and throat felt as though they had been invaded by lava from a Mount Vesuvius type eruption! I squeeled, water, water! and drained the two large jugs which were in front of me. My distress was obvious to all and a frenzied, embarrassed and highly apologetic waitress then presented me with a glass of cold milk which helped enormously.

Throughout my ordeal, my table companion to the left, Maureen Bielak did all she could to aid my situation including fanning my raging tongue with the cold desert menu. Eventually, the burning sensation subsided and we all continued with the meal during which there was an animated session of joke telling. Bro. Barry excelled in this jocular interlude telling stories from around the World including Russia. Didn't know they told jokes there!

This Mass held every year at Westminster is, for many of us, a highlight in the Catenian calendar. For those of you who were unable to attend there are several photographs below which will, hopefully, convey the enjoyment of the day.

Chilling out with a couple of drinks

Who's that lady sat next to Bro Claude?

More wine over here please!

There's another bottle on its way!

Down the Hatch!

On their third bottle!

Be careful that drink is very strong!

Good Lord, she's passed out!

Yours truly trying to cool the burning palate! 

Maureen Bielak in a vain attempt to cool my raging tongue!

Bro. Barry telling one of his jokes

Maureen taking a picture of me taking a picture of her!

Bro. Vice President, William D'Souza, toasting us all!