Back to the Future and the Way We were!

    BACK TO THE FUTURE

 The last 'physical' Guildford Circle meeting was on 4th March 2020 just prior to the Lockdown. Since then, the Circle has used 'Zoom' to organise virtual meetings with the first being held on 8th April 2020. These continued right up to September 2021 when the first hybrid meeting took place. With the successful roll-out of vaccinations and Government restrictions allowing, hopefully future meetings will take place as normal.  

 

Below are a few photographs taken by Bro. Steve Rowden at the hybrid meeting held at the Guildford Rugby Club.

 

Final Preparations

Ready to go!

Good evening brothers and welcome!

Rogues Gallery!

Et al.!

    As mentioned above the last 'physical' Guildford event was Ladies Night in March last year. Although a blog was created to record the occasion, due to the escalation of the Pandemic and sensitivity surrounding brothers and their family members working in the front line, it was considered inappropriate to publish it. Also, the untimely death of Bro. Chris Devereau as a result of Covid was a major deciding factor. However, with the passing of time, now is a good a time as any for us to remember that happy and enjoyable evening at the Guildford Golf Club.

 

THE WAY WE WERE 

 

There was a healthy turn out of 95 brothers and ladies including National President Bro. Phil Brown who was accompanied by his wife Linda. During the meeting, Bro. Phil spoke at length on the recent voting on GBNC Strategy and Membership Work Group's Questionaire. He also addressed the Brothers and Ladies during dinner. Other visitors included Provincial Councillor Bro. Pat Gogerty and David Urch both of Richmond and Twickenham Circle. Also in attendance was Visiting Gentleman Paul McMahon and his wife Deidre.

 

Following the somewhat extended meeting, the brothers joined the ladies in the bar before entering the restaurant to enjoy a sumptious dinner. In the interests of safety and hygiene, the usual and accepted forms of greeting namely handshakes and/or kisses, were dispensed with. Both the brothers and the ladies had to use their initiative to find suitable alternatives and some examples of their ingenuity can be seen among the photographs below. On this occasion, there were no visiting clergy and the ecclesiastical duties were undertaken by Deacon Bro. Paul Page-Tickell. 

Bro. Phil speaking at the meeting on the GBNC Questionaire

 

Thanks Bro. Phil for explaining at length the GBNC Questionaire!

Visiting Gentleman Paul McMahon enjoying a pre-dinner drink with Bro. Nigel Maude

If I may say so, the meeting did go on a bit!

I think it's time for dinner!

Ready when you are!

Let's get in there!

Where are we sitting?

Hurry up Chef, they're ready to eat!

Brothers and Ladies, please remember to 'gel-up' before dining!

I've thoroughly washed my hands!

So have I!

Deacon Bro. PP-T giving his hands an 'Almighty' cleanse...

...he then dries them off.

... and takes a sniff. He likes it! 

Meanwhile, Bro. Simon and Bro. Duncan were demonstrating their version of an alternative greeting!

You put your left leg in, your left leg out etc....!

Unimpressed, Bro. Paul gives it the elbow!

Think I'll stick to a simple nod!

Because of panic buying we've made our own hand sanitizer using Aloe Vera and Vodka!

What does it taste like?

Grace before Meal

At last, I'm starving!

The elitist top table!

    The elitist top table from the other end. Good night and God bless!