Ladies & Clergy Night 2019

The last Ladies and Clergy Night of the decade was held at Guildford Rugby Club on Wednesday December 4th. There was a good turnout with over 100 diners including Seven Clergy: Fr Roy Waters; Abbot Paulinus; Fr Sebastian Paul; Fr David Osborne; Fr Tony Milner; Fr Dunstan and Fr Jonathan How. As usual, the evening was a great success and was enjoyed by all. 

The guest speaker this year was Dilanee Bunter founder of Ocean Stars a Charity which was started following the Boxing Day Tsunami in Sri Lanka in  2004. Dilanee spoke at length about the work of the Charity and how, from scratch, it has established many nursery schools on the west coast to support those children left orphaned by the disaster.

Ready for a good night out!

Happy Christmas Maureen!

Cheers Ladies!

Cheers Brothers!

It's that photographer chap again!

Bro. Daniel and Snjezana

Bro. Frank and Mary

Bro. Ian and Martha

Derbyshire meeting Mid Glamorgan?

Bro. Martin and Catherine

Bro. Mervyn and Teresa

Bro. Andy and his Ladies in Red!

Fr Roy in good company

The fun has started! Pulling the crackers!

They're all crackers on this table!

Fancy another bottle?

I think I'd better say Grace!

Grace before Meal

We're ready to get the show on the road...

...in fact we all are!

I think it's time to sit down

I'll drink to that!

Hurry up Chef, we're starving!

It suits you, Fr Christmas!

It looks like everyone's having trouble blowing up their balloons!

They most certainly are!

Bro. Greg's 'True Blue' balloon is making him go red in the face!

I give up!

I'll show them how to do it!

Eco friendly Bro. Stephen laboured to inflate his 'Green Piece' to limits way beyond expectations!

Bro. Geoff gave a 'Liberal' amount of effort resulting in a much lower profile!

This sad red specimen is unlikely to bring anything to the party so 'Labour' not!

Meanwhile, Bro. President concentrates on his meat and two veg!

Mercedes, Judy and Bro. Guillermo in a Purple Haze!

Abbot Paulinus knows some really good jokes!

Fr Dunstan has heard them all before!

The new Priest at Godalming Fr Jonathan How experiencing his first Guildford Bash!

Bro. Michael and Maureen

Bro. Michael and Anne

Bro. Michael and Bro. Michael!?

Guildford President, Bro. Andy Fogell, takes the floor welcoming everyone followed by the usual humourous anecdote.

The usual humerous anecdote....

Bro. President introduces guest speaker Dilanee Bunter

Dilanee founder of the Ocean Stars Charity with 'Teddy'!

Bro. President presents Dilanee with a beautiful bouquet of flowers!

Thank you so much!

Here comes the coffee!

And here comes the cream!

I need another glass!

On its way!

As the evening wears on heads start to drop!

I do believe he's fast asleep!

Bro. Steve is still sending emails?

Bro. Tony in sweet repose!

Bro. Lazlo and Beata ready to go home!

My taxi has arrived!

Only another 500 dishes to wash!

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Leaving with their winnings!

Last man standing!

Bro. David and Antoinette have had a great evening!

Goodnight and God Bless!

Night Night from Teddy and Pal!

Annual Provincial Darts Competition

On Monday 2nd of September 2019, the Annual contest for 'darts supremecy' organised by Kingston Circle took place at St Ann's Church Hall in Banstead. The Guildford team sharpened their tips and preened their flights in anticipation of the success they had enjoyed for many years. Could they once again produce a winning performance and win the Tom Hegarty Plate? Or would the years of 3 course (now 2 course) Catenian dinners combined with dubious after dinner jokes take its toll?!!!

Indeed, things did not start off well for Guildford. The initial team comprising of the 'Big Three', Peter Chalcroft, President Andy Fogell and Steve Rowden just couldn't get off the starting blocks! Many lesser teams would have given up at this point but Guildford brothers are made of sterner stuff than that!

The team coach, the highly motivated, ambitious and self-sacrificing Bro. Steve Rowden, re-organised the team replacing himself with Bro.Tony Clark, a master in the art of guiding flighted missiles, in a last stand to compete for the Plate! After three round of merciless destruction, Guildford reached the Plate final to face the menace of the scowling Croydon circle!

It really was down to the wire with both teams on a double! Would Croydon prove to strong? Undaunted, Guildford proceeded to demolish the opposition with a wonderful perormance from Bro. Peter Chalcroft. With nerves of steel he sent his dart whistling through the air and it is reported that a sound resembling a choir of angels could be heard as his dart hit the 'Double Two'! Not to be confused with the company that used to make shirts carrying the same name.

Jubilation followed for Guildford with sad and resigned acceptance for Croydon. However, Guildford will not rest on their laurels because these battle hardened competitors will continue practicing their art with enthusiasm to ensure another victory next year!

The competition begins

Good darts from Bro. Peter but at this stage not quite good enough

 Bro. Andy Fogell eyes the target..

..takes aim and...

...gets a modest score!

Now it's Bro. Tony's turn!

Aiming for triple 20!

Not quite, triple one!

Would you believe it?

Suddenly and unexpectedly, an interloper joins the Guildford team with devastating results!

One hundred and eighty!

Having been inspired by the 'Interloper', there was no stopping Guildford and, following a dazzling display by Bro. Peter Chalcroft, the team went on to win the highly prized Tom Hegarty Plate!

The Provincial President presenting the winners with the Plate!

The winning team with coach, Bro. Steve Rowden proudly holding the Tom Hegarty Plate

If that blonde bloke called Horace, hadn't helped, Guildford would never have won the Plate!