Ladies & Clergy Night Part 1

Christmas comes but once a year and so does Ladies and clergy Night held, as usual, at Guildford Golf Club. Being the highlight of the Circle’s year, there were close to one hundred guests in attendance including three Clergy. This year the Circle was delighted to entertain Canon Colin Wolczac, Fr. Alan Sharpe and Fr. Sebastian Paul. Initially everyone gathered in the bar and then around 7.45 pm we were all ushered into the dining room to take our seats. Shortly afterwards the meal was served by the polite and enthusiastic staff.   

The usual welcoming speech was made by Bro. President, Stephen Ballard, followed by a rousing speech from Bro. Vice - President, William D'Souza, encouraging diners to put as much cash as they could afford into the brown envelopes on each table. One for the President's Charity the other a Christmas bonus for the GGC Staff. To boost the funds for the President's Charity even further, the popular game of 'Heads & Tails' was introduced later in the evening and was ultimately won by Angie Vickerman. Angie was presented with a bottle of Fizz by Bro. Vice President, William D’Souza.

Highlights of the evening included the display of the cup awarded to the Guildford brothers who participated in the darts competition held by Kingston Circle on the 7th of December. The line up included: Guildford A Team; Peter Chalcraft, Harvey Palmer and Bro. Secretary, Stephen Rowden alongside Guildford B Team; Kevin Deeming and Tony Clark. Having the benefit of star player Peter Chalcraft, Guildford won the high score prize from a three dart score of 120. 

We were promised there would be entertainment during the evening but no one except top brass knew what to expect. It was, in fact, a choir comprised of students from Guildford School of Acting. In close harmony, they went through a repertoire of carols and popular songs to the great delight of all present. In the absence of our Circle Photographer, Bro. Chris Devereux, yours truly, armed with iphone, took a multitude of photographs which will, hopefully, convey the spirit of the evening. 

 Because of the large number of photographs, this blog is in two parts. Enjoy part one!

Looks Promising!

Bro. Des wondering why there aren't emerald green hats in the crackers

We love our red hats!

We just want some hats, any colour will do!

Your dickie clashes with my dress

Pre-dinner chit chat

We're having a good time!

We're having a good time too!

We're having a good time but feeling rather hungry

A warm welcome from Bro. President

Canon Colin saying grace before the meal

This looks promising, food is on its way!

What a Dish!

Serving Bro. Frank

They know he likes his greens!

Go on, drop it I dare you!

I can't believe you've eaten all those vegetable. I hope they were organic?

Br. Wally tucking in!

A touch of turkey on the tux!

Look dear, it's that nice photographer man again

Smile for the camera!

Even better, one just of me!

I understand you are in a band. Why don't you play something for us?

Could give it a go I suppose!

I'm gonna make this place really rock!

C'mon little baby there's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on!

Get him off!!!!

Oh well, I enjoyed it!

Bro. John making sure he gets the hat

Completely crackers at Christmas!

In the meantime, things are hotting up!

And getting even hotter!

Bro. Jan giving a traditional Polish salute!

I can't take him anywhere!

Tapping into the gin supply under the table!

I don't think yellow suits the Canon

But I like yellow

End of part 1 follow on to part 2

Membership Officer's Night

On Monday the 14th November, ten Guildford brothers including Bro. Membership Officer, John Vickerman, invaded the Adelaide hotel in Windsor. The occasion was the annual meeting of the Catenian Membership Officers and this year Guildford considered themselves hot favourites to win the coverted trophy. The meeting commenced at 7.30 pm sharp and was opened by Windsor President Bro. Paul Lock. He welcomed brothers from the many circles who swelled the normal attendance from around a dozen, Windsor is a small circle, to seventy five! When the Circle business had been completed the brothers retired to the bar whilst the meeting room was miraculously transformed by the hotel staff into a dining room! All the brothers then sat down to enjoy a three course meal with coffee and petit fours to finish. 

After dinner the brothers were treated to a humourous speach by honoured guest Grand Vice President Peter Rogers. This was followed by the announcement of this year's winner of the Membership Officer's Cup and to much applause, it was awarded to Guildford! The Membership Officer for Guildford, Bro. John Vickerman, then gratefully and humbly, most unlike him, accepted the cup from Grand Vice President, Peter Rogers. It was generally agreed that the evening had been very successful, especially for Guildford, and most enjoyable. Many thanks to all the brothers who supported Bro. John. They are, in no particular order: Bro. President, Stephen Ballard; Bro.Vice President, William D'Souza; Bro. Secretary, Steve Rowden; Bro. Martin McHugh; Bro. School Liaison Officer, Andy Fogell; Bro. Registrar, Rory Flynn; Bro. Ian Rogers; Bro. Barry Dale and yours truly who took the photos and is, therefore, in none of them, Bro. Marketing Officer, Mark Wilson. 

Brothers in the Bar!

I think it's in the bag

You're sure about this?

Ok, I've just placed a bet to win with Paddy Power!

Put a tenner on for us as well!

The cup is really quite small you know!

Bro. Ian sneaking more than his fair share of the red wine

Caught in the act!

Nervous anticipation

Oh no! Not Guildford!

Grand Vice President Peter Rogers presenting the Cup to Bro. John. ''Congratulations! Did you hire Rent-a-Crowd?''

Bro. John's gratefull and humble address to the brothers

The Victor!

Oh well, that's all over and done with. Yes, thank goodness!

NOVEMBER 2016 CIRCLE MEETING

Guildford Catenians met on the 2nd November, the last meeting of the year before Ladies & Clergy Night in December when there will be no meeting. All the brothers were delighted to welcome Bro. Des Carroll after such a long absence due to illness. He looked as though he'd never been away and managed to tell several of his speciality yarns from the Emerald Isles. To add to the occasion, Bro. Des was presented with his 50 year scroll by Immediate Past Grand President, Peter Woodford. If that wasn't enough, Bro Des was presented by Bro. President, Stephen Ballard, with a bottle of special reserve Irish Whisky together with two Waterford Tumblers.  Bro Des can also be seen below with Bro. Martin McHugh proudly displaying the shield won in the Guildford Circle Golf Tournament. Later in the evening, Bro President presented a silver bracelet to Bro. Patrick Vickerman to commemorate the birth of baby Juliana in September to Patrick and his wife Gabriela.

The meeting was also honoured by the presence of Mgr Vladimir Felzmann the Mother and CEO of John Paul 2 Foundation 4 Sport. Mgr Vlad is also Catholic Chaplain for Sport.

The following day, all brothers received an email from Bro. Registrar, Rory Flyn. Bro Rory was asking for comments on the quality of the meal served the previous night. This request was made as a result of some brothers complaining about the firmness of the base/bottom of the steak & ale pie which was served as the main course. Also, there was a new chef at GGC and this was the first time he had prepared a meal for the Circle. Overall, it transpired that most were satisfied but thought it unlikely that GGC would have a contender for an appearance on Master Chef! Finally, It is purely hearsay that Bro. Claude commented he has always liked firm bottoms! 

Bro. Des and Bro Martin McHugh with the coverted Guildford Circle Golf Shield

Bro. Des proudly displaying his 50 year Scroll with wife, Judy and Immediate Past Grand President, Bro. Peter Woodford

This is a lot better than a 50 year old scroll!

One of the latest slow pouring whisky boxes!

MGR Vlad addressing the Circle

Congratulations from Bro. President to Bro. Patrick Vickerman and his wife Gabriela on the birth of their daughter, Juliana, on the 15th of September. Bro. Patrick was presented with a silver bracelet to commemorate the joyful occasion