Guildford Golfers Sweep the Board (well almost)

At the recent Province 19 Golf Championship held at Betchworth Park, Dorking, Guildford golfers came away laden with prizes. Bro. Paul Davies won ‘The Handicap Cup’ and could have been a serious contender for ‘The Scratch Cup’. Unfortunately, he played a wrong ball on the 17^th and sportingly disqualified himself. He’s just too honest that boy!

  Bro. Paul with his trophy which he received from Bro.Vernon de Cruz, Captain of the Province 19 Golf Society.

Bro. Paul then teamed up with Bro. Martin McHugh and the dynamic duo went on to win ‘The Rose Bowls’ a prize awarded to the best combined scores by two members of the same circle. It was generally acknowledged that winning this prize was mainly due to Bro. Paul's high score. 

The Guildford Golfers; Bro. Martin McHugh, Bro. Mervyn Burby, Bro. Michael Prior and Bro.Paul Davies.

 

Guildford AGM & Circle Meeting May 2015

The meeting of the Guildford Catenian Circle 179 on May 6th was rather special. Not only was it proceeded by the 58th AGM, the Circle was honoured by the visit of Grand Vice-President, Peter Woodford and the presence of Fr Colin Wolczak. Other notable visitors were Bro. David Arundale, President, Ascot & Sunningdale and Bro. Colin Monteiro, President, Sutton-Mid Surrey. In addition, the circle was pleased to welcome Mr Andy Cochrane a first time Visiting Gentleman, together with Mr Rory Flynn a Visiting Gentleman who has attended Guildford Circle meetings on numerous occasions and who was to be enrolled. The evening also saw the installation of Bro. John Vickerman as Membership Officer.

After a 'lively' AGM, normal Circle business was attended to duly followed by dinner prior to which Fr Colin Wolczak said 'Grace Before Meal'. During dinner, a 'Toast to Absent Brothers' was made by Vice-President, Bro. Stephen Ballard and birthdays of brothers occuring in May were then announced. Bro. Bill Dodds was presented with a bottle of port in recognition of his 80 years.

Bro. Bill receiving his celebratory bottle of Port from Bro. President

Bro. Bill with his bottle of  Graham's Port which he declined to share with the table!

Other birthday wishes were expressed for Brothers; Jim O’Donnell, Harvey Palmer and one of our newest recruits, Andy Fogell. The Circle also offered congratulations on the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Bro. John Mercer and Francine. Bro. John was presented with a bouquet of flowers which he accepted on behalf of himself and Francine. Dinner was completed with 'Grace After Meal' again said by Fr. Colin.

Bro. President presenting Bro. John with a bouquet

Next came the presentation of 25 year scrolls for Brothers; Prior, Owen and Dunn followed by the presentation of miniatures to Past-President, Bro.Kevin Deeeming, Past-Secretary, Bro.Dave Caush and Past-Membership Officer, Bro. Stephen Ballard.

Bro. Michael Prior and Bro. Ken Dunn receiving their 25 year Scrolls. 

Past-Membership Officer, Bro. Stephen Ballad, Past Secretary, Bro. Dave Caush and Past-President, Bro. Kevin Deeming receiving their 'Miniatures' 

 'The loyal Toast' was proposed by Bro. Stephen Ballard, in his new capacity of Vice-President, closely followed by the 'President's Address' given by Bro. Greg Melly.

Bro. President addressing the Circle alongside Bro. Vice-Grand President, Peter Woodford and Fr. Colin

A brief interlude in formalities was provided by newly enrolled Bro. Rory Flynn who introduced himself to the circle with a brief background history. Finally, Grand Vice-President, Bro. Peter Woodford, addressed the Circle.

Newly enrolled Bro. Rory Flynn

Grand Vice-President, Bro. Peter Woodford, addressing Bro. President and the Circle

The 'Preised' Green Jacket

Following on from Bro. Mervyn Burby's appointment as Vice-Captain of Province 19 Golf Society as reported on the Guildford Blog, he attended the annual tournament of The National Catenian Golf Society. This was held on the Carden Park Golf Complex near Chester on the 27th to the 3rd of May.

Province 19 were well represented and from Guildford Circle, in addition to Bro. Mervyn, Bro. Des Carroll, Bro. Michael Prior and Bro. Andy Preisner were present. In fact, Bro. Andy  took over the Captaincy on Tuesday the 28th April which is a 5 year appointment. On the first day he had his 'Drive-In' and during the evening function he was presented with the 'Green Jacket' of the newly installed Society Captain by past Captain Graham Magee.

Bro. Andy (right) on his 'Drive-In' with past Captain Gram Magee

Bro. Andy said the week was a great fun event and he hopes other golfers from the Guildford Circle will join in next year helping to reverse the recent trend of reduced numbers. In case some might think they are too old or not good enough, Bro. Andy says dispel that thought! The message needs to be put about that the Society does not comprise of young golfers of a high standard, the average age is over 70 and the average handicap of the participants is 21. Brothers and their wives can attend for any period between 2 and 6 nights during which there are evening functions, day trips for non-golfers and a wonderful farewell Mass celebrated by one of the week's greatest fans, Bishop Tom Williams of Liverpool.

Bro. Andy wearing his 'Preised' Green Jacket

There are many active golfers in the Catenian Association and golf is organised by many Circles, Provinces (regional groupings) and even at a National level giving new members the opportunity to meet brothers from around the Association. Provincial Golf Societies usually meet 4 to 5 times a year at local golf courses with the occasional Interprovincial Match, pitting their skills against golfers from neighbouring Provinces. Whether you play golf for fun or take it more seriously, there will be a willing opponent in the Catenian Association and all are welcome!

Bro. Mervyn Burby gets the VC

No it's not a Victoria Cross, although we're sure Bro. Mervyn would be amongst the first into the affray! On Thursday 

16th April at the AGM of Province 19 Golf Society, he was elected Vice Captain for 2015/16. This was in grateful

acknowledgement of Bro. Mervyn's support for the society over many years and reflects the high regard in which he

is held by the brothers. Unfortunately, Bro. Events Officer, Martin McHugh, was caught unawares so we have no 

photographic record of the occasion. Our resident photographer, Bro. Chris Devereux, was urgently contacted in the

hope that he had a suitable photograph ideally with Bro. Mervyn holding a golf club or anything golf related. Bro. Chris 

sent in several photographs of Bro. Mervyn in various scenarios and the chosen one is of him holding two of our Ladies! 

Preferable to a golf club anyday! Don't you think?

A pair of 'Birdies'

APRIL 1ST CIRCLE MEETING

The April 1st meeting of the Guildford Circle heralded the end of the 2014/15 Catenian year and saw the installation of new Circle Officers. Notably; the outgoing VP, Bro. Greg Melly,  succeeds Bro. Kevin Deeming as President and the erstwhile Bro. Stephen Ballard, assumes the role of Vice President. Bro. Steve Rowden relieves the long suffering Bro. Dave Caush as Secretary and Bro. Guillermo Lopez takes on the mantle of Treasurer. Bro. Will O'Brien steps up to joint Marshall & Charity Officer whilst Bro. William D'Souza is the new Registrar. Bro. John Vickerman, the new Membership Officer, was not present believed to be lost in France and, if he ever returns, will be installed as Membership Officer at the May Circle meeting. After all the boring stuff was completed, the Circle witnessed the enrollment of Visiting Gentleman Andy Fogel into the Circle. Welcome Bro. Andy, you have joined a circle unlike any other! 

New Bro. Andy Fogel being welcomed by new President Bro. Greg Melly flanked by outgoing MBO Stephen Ballard (left) and outgoing President Bro. Kevin Deeming (right)

Outgoing Secretary Bro. Dave Caush celebrating his new found freedom with from left: Bro. Frank Comerford; Bro. Malcolm Bulpitt and right Bro. Claude Kauffmann.

By chance, the 1st April also happened to be Bro. Stephen's birthday. No Fooling!  Ever the prankster, Bro. Stephen had sent out a '12th hour' email declining the role of VP due to extreme business pressure. This was later revealed as an 'April  fool Spoof' much to the disappointment of all conerned. Indeed, Bro. President Greg, did a remarkable job of concealing his angst in the 2nd photograph below.

Birthday Boy Ballard

Bro. President Greg with the Birthday Boy

Father-in law telling Son-in-Law to behave himself

GONE TO POT - Part 2

Some of you may remember that in June last year with the Snooker afternoon looming, two 

Guildford brothers decided to get ahead of the pack and practice their potting skills. The pair 

were identified as Billiards Boy Ballard and The D'Souza Kid. This year, on the 19th of March, 

another clandestine practice occurred at the home of Bro. John ‘whack’em in’ Williams. This 

time the ‘D’Souza Kid’ was not in attendance because it was alleged that on the last occasion 

he had cheated by ‘weighting his balls’. However, Billiards Boy Ballard turned up along with 

Harvey ‘Hurricane’ Palmer, Gerry ’the Gent’ Newell and Martin ‘the Maestro’ McHugh.

Naturally, snooker was played at the very highest level and at the end of a fiercely contested 

afternoon, Billiards Boy and the Gent saw off the gallant efforts of Whack’em, the Hurricane 

and the Maestro to win bragging rights. As you will notice, the Maestro is not in the photo 

because he took it. Good shot! 

LADIES NIGHT MARCH 2015

After a short Circle meeting during which a minute of silence was observed in memory of Mary Comerford who died recently, Ladies Night got underway. It was a familiar scenario with all the Ladies looking wonderful in their evening wear and the brothers being pictures of sartorial elegance. Over dinner, Brother President made a speech identifying each Council member and their contributions over the past year and gave particular thanks to Bro.Vice President Greg Melly.

Bro. President welcoming the Ladies

Brother President also warmly welcomed the Ladies which was later responded to by Zelma Braganza. In recognition of the tireless work undertaken by Bro. Barry Dale in his support to Province and in particular to the Guildford Circle, Bro. President presented him with an engraved Camphor Burl Bridge Set. Bro. Barry's wife, Barbara was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers acknowledging the fact that behind every great man there is a great woman!

Zelma Braganza responding on behalf of the Ladies

Other notable moments included the presentation to Bro. Secretary Dave Caush of a bottle of his favourite tipple, Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky. This was in appreciation of his four years as
the Circle Secretary. On behalf of the Circle and the Ladies, Curty Davies presented Bro. President, Kevin Deeming, with a bottle of vintage port in recognition of his year in office.

Bro. Barry being presented with the Bridge Set by Bro. President

 Below are more pictures taken by Bro. Chris Devereux to remind us of an eventful evening:

Bro. Secretary Dave, being presented with a bottle of Scotch

Barbara Dale with her bouquet

Curty Davies presenting Bro. President with a bottle of vintage port

An inoffensive young wine

While Bro. Membership officer entertains the ladies, Bro. Terence is wishing he'd remembered to bring his harmonica!

I think I recognise this sausage!

I thought the booze was free on top table!

It's most definitely a heavy red!