The Guildford Catenians Blog: 2021

Friday, 24 December 2021

Ladies and Clergy Night

The long awaited Ladies and Clergy Night was held on Friday 3rd December at Guildford Rugby Club. The last time this event took place was back in December 2019 before the Pandemic struck. In spite of Covid and, no doubt, heartened by vaccinations, there was a healthy turnout of 76 including 6 Clergy. A sumptious 3 course dinner was enjoyed by all.

During the meal, Guest speaker Matthew Horspool of the Torch Trust addressed the gathering on the Trust's mission which is to enable blind and partially sighted people to encounter Jesus, grow in their Christian faith and thrive in the Christian community. Below, and in no particular order, is a selection of 'around the tables' photographs taken by Bro. Steve Rowden.

For starters, we have table 5. From left: Samantha and Bro. Cian Duggan with Amanda and Bro. Tim Edwards

Table 6 observing strict social distancing! From left: Fr Roy Waters, Ditas and Bro. Duncan Pring and Theresa Fogell

Table 10. From left: Bro. Pat Finn and daughter Erin with Julie Finn and Fr Jonathan How

Table 2. From Left: Mercedes Lopez, Monica Rowden, Eileen Flemming, Bro. Steve Rowden, Bro. Guillermo Lopez, Sarah Flynn with Bro. Rory Flynn who is just ahead by a nose! The lady with her back to the camera is Breede Hassard.

Table 4. From left: Bro. Simon and Tamsin de Lusignan, Bro. Antony Abraham and Linda Maher

Table 8. From left: Judy Carroll, Bro. Martin McHugh, Jane O'Donnell and Bro. Greg Melly


Table 9 in good spirits! From left to right: Bro. John and Francine Mercer, Bro. Wally and Jane Walsh and Bro. Mark and Bev Reed


Another view of table 10. From left: Fr Jonathan Howe, Angela and Bro. Andy Cochrane, Bro. Sam Shaw, Bro. Pat Finn with Erin and the luminous hair bottom left belongs to Julie Finn!


A rather sombre looking table 7 but they'll be fine after a few more drinks! From left: Bernadette and Bro. Roger Milnes, Katie and Renata Brennan

Yes, they have cheered up! From left: Katie and Renata Brennan, Bro. Geoff Bignell and Susan and Bro. Tony Clark

On table 1:Toni Hourahane, Bro. President, Bob Hughes and guest speaker Matthew Horspool

Table 6. From left: Bro. Andy Fogell, Bro. Michael Shortland and Maureen and Fr Roy Waters

Table 5 again! From left: Ingrid Phillips, Deacon Michael Phillips, Caroline and Bro. William D'Souza and Samantha Duggan

Brother Frank Comerford with daughter Mary on table 1


Table 2. From left: Bro. Guillermo Lopez, Sarah and Bro. Rory Flynn and Breede Hassard

Table 3. From left: Bro. Mike Chambers and Gabrielle, Bro. John Vickerman, Fr Paulinus and Angela Vickerman


Bro. President, Bob Hughes, addressing the gathering

Fr Roy thanking Guilford Catenians on behalf of the Clergy


Guest speaker Matthew Horspool of the Torch Trust addressing the Catenians

A captive audience!

A beamingTable 4, from left: Linda and Bro. Michael Maher, Bro. Nigel and Emily-Jane Maud, Bro. Simon and Tamsin de Lusignan and, bottom centre, a view of Bro. Antony Abraham's immaculate shining hair!


Table 2. From left: Br. Rory Flynn, Breede Hassard, Mercedes Lopez, Monica Rowden and Eileen Flemming

A close-up of Monica and Eileen.....

...and here's one of Renata and daughter Katie


Table 1 with Monsignor Tony Barry, Snjezana and Bro. Daniel Lintot

On table 3: Bro. Andy Preisner and Gill with Bro. Vice-President, Ian Rogers and Martha

Did you win a raffle prize? No, I just got to hold the flowers!


It's time to go home! Goodnight from Mary, Bro. Frank and Bro. John

A Happy, Healthy and Holy Christmas to Everyone!

Sunday, 17 October 2021

Annual Widows Lunch

Twenty Brothers and Ladies from the Guildford Circle enjoyed a very convivial annual lunch at the West Surrey Golf Club. This number included five wives of our deceased brothers: Sheila Rand; Frances Allen; Maureen Johnson; Hazel Foulkes and Breed Hassard. Brother Secretary, Andy Fogel, said how lovely it was to be able to meet again in person after 18 months of shielding and cancelled events. He also reported that the food was delicious and the lunch concluded with a toast to the Five special guests.

Words of Welcome from Guildford Secretary Bro. Andy Fogell

From L-R: Bro. Michael Shortland and Maureen, Bro. Mervyn Burby and Teresa with Sheila Rand

From L-R: Monica Rowden, Bro. Michael Prior and Nancy

From L-R: Bro. Brian Jenkins, Frances Allen, Maureen Johnson and Bro. Tony Clarke

From L-R: Bro. Dave Caush, Hazel Foulkes, Breed Hassard, Bro. Andy Fogell and Theresa

Guildford Treasurer Bro. Rory Flynn and Sarah

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http://sites.google.com/view/guildford-catenians

Photographs provided by Provincial Secretary and Guildford Brother, Steve Rowden

Guildford Circle October Circle Meeting

The 745th meeting of the Guildford Circle was held on Wednesday 6th October at Guildford Rugby Club. Incorporating the use of video conference, the meeting commenced at 7.30 pm when President Bro. Bob Hughes welcomed the twenty nine Guildford brothers attending in person together with six brothers on Zoom. He also welcomed visiting brother Michael Phillips from Woking Circle, who will be joining Guildford as a joint member in November, and visiting gentleman, Mike Chambers.

During the meeting Bro. Provincial President, Geoff Bignell, was congratulated on the success of his Provincial Weekend in Bath which raised £2,523 for Mary's Meals. Because the Circle's previous venue, Guildford Golf Club, is unable to consider external events for the forseeable future, it was announced that alternative venues are being considered.

Bro. President announced that Bro. Greg Melly will assume the role of Registrar and thanked Bro. Brian Jenkins and Bro. Martin McHugh for stepping in as Acting Registrars. Following the meeting, the brothers and guests retired to the dining area for the first dinner since March 2020.

Please see below a selection of photographs taken on the evening.