Mass for Deceased Brothers

A group of Brothers and Ladies from Guildford Circle attended the annual Mass for Deceased Brothers from Provinces: 2, 7, 8, 14, 18 and 19, on Sunday 19th November 2017 at Westminster Cathedral. For those in need of sustenance, refreshments were available in the Cathedral Hall prior to the Mass.

The Celebrant was the Right Reverend Bishop Nicholas Hudson and the readers were National President Bro. Peter Rogers and Province 8 Director Bro. Declan O'Farrell. The list of deceased brothers read out included Bros. Barry Dale and Claude Kauffmann.

When the Mass was over, 76 brothers and ladies, including the group from Guildford, joined our National President, Bro. Peter Rogers, his wife Joan and various association members, for a pleasant lunch and conversation at the nearby Double Tree Hotel.

 Anti-clockwise from the right: Bro. Dominique Daulton, Bro John Higgins (London Charterhouse Circle), Bernadette Milnes, Bro. Rodger Milnes, Maureen Briggs, Bro. Stephen Rowden, Marie Higgins and Brede Hassard.

MOTOWN

On Monday 6th November, Windsor Circle hosted the Membership Officer's Night at a new venue, Datchet Golf Club. The Club is situated in the heart of what has since become known as 'Membership Officer Town'. Yes, it's official! Datchet has now become 'twinned' with Detroit in the state of Michegan, USA famous for its motor industry and recording stars such as Diana Ross and the Supremes. Datchet now shares the same title of MOTOWN! 

In all, there were 70 brothers present including a splendid showing of 10 brothers from Guildford. We were hoping to reign supreme as we did last year and retain the Membership Officer's Trophy.

The meeting started promptly at 7.30 and once circle business had been completed, we all sat down to dinner. Grace before the meal was said by Windsor President Bro. Mike Wylde and, at an opportune time, Bro. Mike spoke of the importance of recruiting new members to the Catenian Association. This was supported by Windsor Membership Officer, Bro. Kevin McLoughlin. Later on, Great Britain National President, Bro. Peter Rogers, also stressed the importance of recruitment. 

Once the main meal was over and whilst coffee was being served, another of the honoured guests, Bro. James Power, Editor of Catena, gave an impassioned speach amplifying the importance of recruitment in the Catenian Association. Catena, as we know, is the medium that presents the face of the Catenian Association to the World. Since Bro. James took over as Editor, following the sad and untimely death of the previous Editor, Bro.Gil Whale, Catena, in the view of many, has gone from strength to strength both in appearance and content.

Then, the moment everyone had been waiting for, Provincial Membership Officer, Bro. Chris Richards, in a performance that would have done justice to Greg Wallace on Celebrity Chef, tantalisingly strung out the announcement of the winner for what seemed like an eternity. He eventually announced that the winner of the 2017 Membership Officer's Trophy was Woking Circle which recruited five new members during the Catenian year. Well done Woking better luck next year Guildford. Finally, the meeting finished almost as it started, promptly, well it did run five minutes over, and the brothers dispersed into MOTOWN and beyond. 

Bro. Stephen Ballard, with assistance from Bro. Membership Officer, Ian Rogers, attempting to tie a 'Windsor' knot!

Nervous anticipation

Bro. Sam taking bets on the winner whilst Bro. Rory takes the money!

The Guildford Four!

I think Guildford is in with a chance. Hmmn, I'm not so sure!

Bro. Vernon de Cruz, Guildford Secretary, Bro. Steve Rowden, Bro. Sam Shaw and Bro. Declan O'Farrell enjoying the bonhomie!

 Bro. James Power, Catena Editor, with Guildford President, William D'Souza and Guildford brothers

Unexpectedly, Bro. James bursts into song!..

...with a rendition of his all-time favourite by Elvis Presley; 'You're a Devil in Disguise'

Windsor President, Bro. Mike Wylde, welcomes the brothers

Windsor Membership Officer, Bro. Kevin McLoughlin, addressing the brothers on the importance of recruitment

Great Britain National President, Bro. Peter Rogers, addressing the brothers

For starters, a well presented classic prawn cocktail

There's no brown bread and butter!

Catana Editor, Bro. James Power, extolling the virtues of recruitment as well as the benefits of advertising in Catena

C'mon, a full page at half price!

And the winner is...........

....and the winner is...........

Yes, yes, c'mon who is it?

Woking!!

We was robbed!

 Just grin and bear it!

 

An Inside Job!

It appears that Bro. Chris Devereux is not the only high profile photographer in the Guildford Circle. Bro. Geoff Bignell was both surprised and delighted to hear from our esteemed Bro. Secretary that on behalf of the Guildford Circle, he had scooped the 2017 Wimbledon Photographic Competition Cup in the 'F' category! 

As we all know, our association is defined by the four 'F' words; Faith, Family, Friendship and, you've guessed it, Fun! If, following Bro. Secretary's recent email, you have accessed the Wimbledon Circle website, you will already have seen the photograph which may well make Bro. Geoff a name to be reckoned with amongst the photographic cognoscenti. 

Initially, we were wondering where on earth Bro. Geoff took the photograph which is, basically, an androgynous angel doing the splits! As the circle's sleuth, I can tell you that Bro. Geoff  took the picture in a marquee during the Decorex International interior design exhibition for professional interior designers. The exhibition was held on September 19th at Syon House, the spectacular London home of the Duke of Northumberland, and Bro. Geoff was, he says, inspired to take the photograph whilst lingering in the Champagne bar. 

It seems that Bro. Geoff obtained a ticket online which he purchased for a mere £5.00 by masquerading as a student interior designer! The photograph, which was taken with Bro. Geoff's Fujifilm X20 compact camera on automatic setting, contains a blonde lady who is, we are reliably informed by Bro. Geoff's son, Celia Sawyer a TV presenter on a Channel 4 property programme called 'Four Rooms.' 

From studying the photograph, the lady appears to be fumbling in her hand bag maybe for her entrance ticket which has been asked for by a man who may be a steward. There again, the man could be her film director husband Nick Sawyer askingfor a sweet. However, we don't know who the lady with the shopping trolley is. Maybe she is another student interior designer? The photograph most certainly deserves a title! There have been several suggestions listed as follows:

'Excuse me!'

'Wish I could get my legs up that 'igh dearie!'

'Sorry madam but I need to search amongst your personal effects'

Bro. Geoff highly recommends a visit to Decorex next September for anyone interested in interior design. This could, possibly, be organised as a Circle event? However, all those interested would have to register as a 'student interior designer' which might prove a little difficult. 

Bro. Geoff further adds, that he now feels more than confident to advise on any interior design issues which our brothers and ladies might have. Considering the slightly devious way Bro. Geoff gained entrance to the interior design exhibition, you could say he would be prepared to do an 'inside job' for you! 

Excuse me!