November Circle Meeting

The 712th Guildford Circle meeting was held at Guildford 

Golf Club on Wednesday 7th November. There was a good turnout with 51 Guildford Brothers, 5 Visiting Gentlemen, 1 Visiting Brother and 3 Seminaries in attendance. Bro. President John Vickerman opened the meeting at 7.30 pm with prayers for sick Brothers and Family Members of the Circle and Province. Once all business was completed, the brothers and visitors returned to the bar to await the call to dinner! Grace before meal was said by Deacon Bro. Paul Page-Tickell.

Brother President welcomed the visitors which included Bro. David Arundale, Director of Province 19, who presented Bro. Leo Cash and Bro. James O'Donnell with 40 year Scrolls. Other visitors included the afore mentioned Visiting Gentlemen: Jad Mhalla on his 3rd visit; Antony Abraham; Eduardo Boyot; Richard Morris and Mark Richmond as well as the Seminarians: Simon Davies; Johnpromise Umeozuru and Deacon Peter Sebastian. Also present was Bro. Sultana De Maria. Originally from Malta he is now a member of Salisbury Circle Province 11.

You're invited to come and dine with me 
From now through all Eternity 
Believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost
 And dine with the Lord who will be your Host 
To live in Heaven Eternally 
All you need do is RSVP
No later than the preceding Sunday

Good Evening and Welcome!

Pre-meeting Mingle!

We think it's going to be a good night!

Bro. Secretary didn't see the light!

Hey! the evening looks promising!

 Bro. David appears to be a little light headed!

Bro. MO with a captive VG

A jar in the bar!

Visiting brother Bro. Charles Sultana De Maria of Salisbury Circle

Seminarians: Simon Davies; Johnpromise Umeozuru and Deacon Peter Sebastian

Brothers on the right!

Brothers on the left!

Bro. President, in the middle, offering a humourous welcome to the Brothers and the Visitors

Bro. Treasurer praying that the books will balance!

Bro. David Arundale responding on behalf of the Visitors

Grace before meal said by Deacon Bro. Paul Page-Tickell

The toast to absent Brothers

Bro. Patrick with a toast of his own!

Do you think Ireland will beat The All Blacks Bro. Des? 

After you Bro. Guillermo. No after you Bro. John!

Bro. President's welcome to the Visitors

Time for one of Bro. President's legendary jokes!

Spellbound!

Well almost!

Response on behalf of the Seminarians by Simon Davies

A cheeky little joke as well!

Brother David Arundale announcing presentation of Scrolls and Miniatures

Bro. David Arundale presenting 40 year Scroll and Miniature to Bro. Leo Cash

Bro. David Arundale presenting 40 year Scroll and Miniature to Bro. James O'Donnell

Bro. James, Bro. David and Bro. Leo

Not sure if Bro. Sam is performing or announcing? And Bro. Terry and Bro. Tony definitely look in 'Going Home Mood'.

It's been a good night but I'm ready to go!

We're definitely going

Good Night Everyone!

Widows Lunch

The Widows Lunch was held at West Surrey Golf Club on 19th October. Organised as usual by Bro. Leo Cash, there was an excellent carvery to feed the 17 Brothers and Wives who attended. Among the 10 Widows in attendance was Pat Cooke widow of Founding Brother Brian Cooke. No other information has been supplied other than Bro. Steve Rowden won the Apple Crumble Doggy Bag! One assumes this was a raffle but not certain whether this was a prize or a penance! 

A panoramic view of the diners!

Good old Bro. Leo, another Top Notch Nosh!

Breed giving Bro. Mervyn instruction on table etiquette

Cheers M' Dears!

Oh dear! It looks like Bro. Tony has dropped gravy on his expensive polyester tie!

Bro. Steve with his Apple Crumble Doggy Bag!

Surely, he'll never eat all that!

I think he will ! Pat Cooke with her Carer Diane

President's Sunday

Guildford President's Sunday was held on 21st October and commenced with Mass in Chilworth Abbey. The 26 Brothers,  Ladies and Family members were privileged to hear Fr Dunstan Keauffling saying Mass.

With souls fully recharged, lunch, expertly controlled by Chamberlain Bro. Sam Shaw, was taken at the Guildford Golf Club. Bro. President then welcomed everyone before a carvery lunch was enjoyed in the newly decorated dining room. Grace before meal was said in Latin by Fr Dunstan who later gave an entertaining speech, in English thankfully, using the flexibility and rigidity of steel as a metaphor for Catenian membership. The young tend to have flexibility and the old rigidity. Somewhere along the way there is a happy medium!

Never ones to miss a free meal, Bros. Andy Fogell and William D'Souza jetted in from Europe especially for the lunch. Below is a selection of photographs taken on the day. 

Welcome!

Thanks, It's good to be here!

Grace before meal said by Fr Dunstan

Kicking off with the Soup du Jour!

Moving on to the mains!

Bro. Treasurer looking relaxed and happy in the knowledge that everything is paid for!

Everyone ignores Bro. Jan who appears to be frisking Fr Dunstan and Bro. Mervyn

Having a moderately good time!

CCTV footage of the occasion!

Thanks for coming everyone!

Can we go now?

Skittles Tournament News Extra!

The much loved and highly competitive skittles tournament was held on Saturday 6th October at St Clements Church, Ewell. However, due to an oversight by your usually diligent Blogmaster, not all the photographs taken on the night were published on the ensuing Blog. So, here is the 'News Extra' version showing more of the action!

To reiterate, the Guildford team comprised of: Bro. John Mercer and his wife Francine; Bro. Ron Vaz, Provincial President; Gabriel McHugh; Bro. Stephen Ballard and Guildford Vice President Bro. Andy Fogell.  

Bro. John and Francine have organised this event along with Gabriel for 15 years and they faced a confident Kingston team which included Bro. Ron's wife Nifa. The skittles were a little thinner than Guildford were used to which made hitting the red skittle, worth 2 points, somewhat harder.

Bro. Vice President, Any Fogell, aiming for the skinny skittles closely observed by Francine Mercer (left) and Gabriel McHugh  

The skinny skittles

However, at the end of the evening, Guildford prevailed thanks to high scoring Bro. Stephen and retained the Barry Dale Cup. After 15 years of competing, this was yet another enjoyable and successful evening for Guildford which included a delicious fish and chips supper.

Not bad!!

I'm not picking them up!

The writing is on the wall!

Bro. Andy and Bro. Ron with the coverted Barry Dale Cup!

Well done Brothers!

Ours for another year!