The Guildford Catenian's Bar-B-Que 2016

The Guildford Catenian Family Bar-B-Que was held again this year at St Edward's in Guildford on Saturday 6th August. There was the usual mix of food, drink, music, mild ribaldry and great company. The occasion was greatly enhanced by the presence of Maureen Briggs showing her 'True Grit' following the recent passing of our dear Bro.George Briggs.

By popular demand and for the enjoyment of the children, there was the return of the Bouncy Castle although brothers and ladies over a certain age had to be carefully monitored. There was also the GCOR, no not yet another Catenian officer, but the inaugural Guildford Catenian Obstacle Race with prizes for all ages groups. Please see a selection of pictures below recording yet another happy and successful Guildford event.

The Venue

The Diners

The venue again!

More diners!

The Bar-B-Que Boys

How long will the sausages be?

About this long!

Is that your secong helping? No it's my third!

Keep smiling through...........

Three lovely posies and one lovely poser!

First prize in the raffle!

The winner!

There was a charge for chairs this year!

I'll eat my hats before I pay to sit down!

Looks like there's a bit of a hold up at the bar!

Hey Barkeep, get a move on we're thirsty!

Ok, Ok, I'll get my asssistant!

We soon got rid of that bunch!

The end of a near perfect day.

Father's and Son's Evening

Wednesday's child is full of woe, Thursday's child has far to go! Well, it wasn't any further to go and everyone seemed to cope OK with the change from the usual first of the month Wednesday to the Thursday! The Father's and Son's event is always great fun and this was no exception. See for yourself from the photos below.

Sorry, I can't change the seating arrangements at this late stage.

Bro. Harvey said that I would be sitting here!

Oh dear oh dear!

Cheer up Bro. Michael!

That's more like it!

Welcome everyone!

Thank you Bro. President (Who's the Michael McIntyre look-a-like?)

Yeah, thanks Bro. Prez!

We've run out of booze though!

I wouldn't eat that If I were you!

I thought the use of mobiles was banned during dinner!

This new gambling App is brilliant!

You bet, Just won a tenner!

No more greens thank you!

Sorry Bro. Bill, a frame costs extra!

They should have gone to Specsavers!

Checking the wine bill

Doing a runner!

He never could handle his drink!

Phew, nearly over then?

I never thought all this lot would turn up, goodnight and God bless!

PRESIDENT'S SUNDAY

This year, Sunday 10th July, was President's Sunday! Mass was celebrated at St Teresa’s School Chapel at 12.00pm by Fr Dunstan Keauffling from the Benedictine St Augustine's Abbey at Chilworth. This was followed by lunch in the Dining Room which really was quite a splendid affair. Drinks and canapes were served to start then everyone sat down to a delicious three course meal.There was even entertainment in the form of a young guitarist who played a selection of classical and popular music and it was especially good to see Bro. Barry Dale back in action! Truly a day to remember!

Waiting en masse

Now is not the time to say you need more rehersal!

Leaving en masse

Bro. Paul being just a wee bit early with the canapes!

Have another glass, there's plenty more where this came from!

Don't worry Ladies, there's plenty more where this came from!

It's all gone!

No more please!

Oh, go on then!

I think it's a 1982 Mouton Rothchild. Good, let's have another one!

Two beautiful flowers!

No, it goes in your mouth darling!

My prayers have been answered!

Did you really vote Brexit?!!

NHS or Private?!!

There's a fly in my soup! Keep quiet or everybody will want one!

Striking a chord with the audience

Except for the tone deaf! 

Is your husband around? No, he's too busy with the cheese board!

Cheeeeeese!!!

Can't wait to get this tie off!

With the President's condiments!

Thanks for coming everyone and God bless!

The Dashing Bro.Claude

On Sunday 11th June, an inaugural Mass was held at St Peter's School Hall to celebrate the new Catholic Parish of Guildford. The Parish encompasses the four former Parishes of St Edward's, St Joseph's, St Mary's and St Pius X. Instead of holding morning Masses at all four Churches, the Bishop decided that there would be only one Mass, which would be an open-air Mass for everyone. As it turned out, it was not open air at all because it rained the proverbial 'Cats and Dogs'! So, the 800 people who attended assembled in St Peter's School Hall which, fortunately, had the capacity to accommodate them all.

Bro. Claude was the scheduled first reader but the person who normally takes him to Mass for some reason, Bro Claude said, didn't show up!  Not to be thwarted, he dashed off on foot covering a distance of almost one mile from his flat to the school and, thankfully, arrived in the nick of time. Then, the thoroughly drenched Bro. Claude was whisked unceremoniously through the wrong door past the Bishop and his entourage and with just three seconds to spare, took his place just as the Bishop was reading the collect.
                                                                                   
However, there were further complications. It was the 11th Sunday of the Year C, and the Bishop without Bro. Claude's knowledge, had changed the 1st Reading from 2 Samuel 12.7 - 10.13,  which is what Bro. claude had prepared, to 1 Kings 8:55-61. Fortunately Bro. Claude knew 1 Kings 8:55-61 because he had read it three or four Sundays before. Then, totally out of breath and still very wet, Bro. Claude, bowed but not beaten, commenced the reading. Phew!

Bro. Claude bowed but not beaten!

Ascot & Sunningdale 25th Anniversary Celebration

On June 10th, Guildford Catenian brothers and wives attended a sumptuous banquet at the Royal Holloway University of London to celebrate Ascot & Sunningdale’s 25^th Anniversary. Bro. Claude Kauffmann, who as Provincial President at the time, had a central rôle in the formation and inauguration of Ascot & Sunningdale Circle in 1981. The photograph below shows Bro. Claude in the Picture gallery together with the other Guildford brothers and wives who attended the celebration.

Left to right; Monica Rowden, Beth Nagle, Bro.Terence Nagle, Bro. Secretary, Stephen Rowden, Bro. President, Stephen Ballard, Jackie Ballard and, centre stage, Bro. Claude Kauffmann

  

Desperate Times!

I think we could flog this for a tenner! OK, as long as you give me half Gringo!

Putting it About!

Yes, he's been putting it about again! Guildford Catenian brother, Andy Preisner, has just returned from the National Catenian Golf Association event at Oulton Hall near Leeds, where part of his job as Captain was to look after the Grand President, Peter Woodford, and his wife Ann. Indeed, Bro. Andy excelled by winning the 'scramble' competition together with the Lady Captain, Maggie McCann and Geoff Smith of the Stirling Circle. Some great putting took place!
 
The Guildford Circle was well represented not only by Andy and his wife Gill, also by Province 19 Golf Captain Mervyn and Teresa Burby as well as eager putters, James and Jane O'Donnell. Although the weather was far from perfect, the beautiful setting combined with huge amounts of Catenian fun, more than made up for it. As a result, all concerned unanimously recommend that other golfers join them for a few days next year at Belton Woods.

From left: Grand President, Peter Woodford, Geoff Smith, Andy Preisner and Lady Captain, Maggie McCann