MAYDAY! MAYDAY!

The 717th meeting of the Guildford Circle took place on Wednesday 1st May at the Guildford Golf Club. The meeting was preceded by the Annual AGM which commenced at 7.30pm prompt! 43 Guildford Brothers were in attendance together with 2 visiting Brothers: Provincial President Bro. Dominic O'Shea and the President of Shrewsbury Circle Bro. Graeme Sloan. There were also 3 visiting Gentlemen: Lazlow Lukacs; Stephen Jakubowski and Anthony Abraham. Before the meeting commenced, Bro. President called for a minute silence in memory of our dear brother Des Carroll who recently passed away. 

This was the first meeting for several newly appointed officers since their inauguration in April. Although there may have been a few hiccups, there were, thankfully, no Mayday emergencies!!

The evening progressed as usual, Grace before Meal and after Meal being said by Deacon Bro. Paul  Page-Tickell. There were the toasts to Absent Brothers and to the Queen and, of course, a few humourous anecdotes from Bro. President. However, the main event was a seminar by Bro. Andy Cochrane on the functions and ramifications of the Prostate Gland. 

Following Bro. Andy's seminar and with all credit to our new President, Bro. Andy Fogell, the meeting closed on time or near enough on time. At which point several brothers rushed to the cloakroom!?

Deacon Bro. Paul Page-Tickell saying grace before Meal

Table for Absent Brothers!

Past President Bro. John Vickerman celebrating his freedom with an unruly bunch of brothers!

He's the noisy one!

A well behaved table. Cheers Brothers!

Is this the Guildford or the Farnham Flasher?

Bro. Chamberlain extolling the virtues of Catenianism to Visiting Gentleman Anthony Abraham

Bro. Steve Rowden, Visiting Gentleman Stephen Jakubowski and Bro. Stephen Ballard breaking the ice!

Visiting Gentleman Lazlow Lukacs breaking the bread! 

Has someone upset Bro. Rory!

 Toast to absent Brothers!

Toast to the Queen!

With all the wine gone, Bro. Guillermo is reduced to drinking what remains of the coffee!

The Chef created an usual dessert of Chocolate Bread & Butter Pudding!

Don't fancy it myself!

Mmm...this Pud is good!

I wouldn't mind some more!

I think you've had quite enough!

I think it's about time to tell some Presidential jokes!

Some Presidential Jokes!

Provincial President Bro. Dominic O'Shea in appreciation of the humour!

Bro. Chamberlain, Sam Shaw, introducing Bro. Andy Cochrane who gave an informative talk and presentation on the Prostate Gland and Cancer

The Visual Presentation

Bro. Andy explaining the functions of the Prostate Gland

I thought they said it was a seminar on a Protestant Band!

Shrewsbury President Bro. Graeme Sloan sharing a joke with Bro. Paul and Bro. Geoff 

Finally, it was time for all of the weary Catenian Brothers to wend their way home!

Goodnight All!

Triple Honours for Guildford

The Province 19 AGM was held at the Reigate Manor Hotel on 26th April 2019 during which three Guildford Brothers were installed as Officers by Provincial President Bro. Dominic O'Shea. Past Guildford Secretary Bro. Steve Rowden was installed as Provincial Secretary, Bro. Geoff Bignell was installed as Provincial Chamberlain and Bro. Stephen Ballard was installed as Provincial Councillor. Congratulations to all three Brothers!

Bro. Stephen Piper handing the Baton to Bro. Steve Rowden the new Provincial Secretary

From left: Bro. Stephen Ballard; Bro. Steve Rowden and Bro. Geoff Bignell who were installed as Provincial Councillor, Provincial Secretary and Provincial Chamberlain respectively

April 2019 Circle Meeting

Narrowly missing April 1st by two days, the 716 th meeting of the Guildford Circle took place on April 3rd at Guildford Golf Club. April is an important month in the Circle calendar because it is when officers-elect are installed. The meeting kicked off promtly at 7.30 pm during which Bro. John Vickerman, after a highly successful year, passed the Presidential baton to Bro. Andy Fogell. Bro. Tim Edwards succeeded Bro. Andy as Vice President and his role as Treasurer was filled by Bro. Rory Flynn. Bro. Duncan Pring became the new Registrar with Bro. Glan Thomas taking over from Bro. Steve Rowden as Secretary. 

On this occasion there were no visiting Clergy but there was good representation from Croydon Circle with Bro. John Barrie, Past Grand President, and President Bro. Paul Connolly. Also in attendance from Croydon were Bro. Richard Pyatt, Vice President and Bro. Richard Mills, Provincial Councillor and Province 19 Chamberlain. Giving much appreciated support to Guildford's new President, was Bro. John Rigby from Sheffield Hallamshire and Barnsley Circles, President Andy's old stamping ground. 

Following the meeting the diners, 56 in total, entered the restaurant and Grace before meal was said by Deacon Bro. Paul Page-Tickell. The usual toasts to Absent Brothers and the Queen were proposed followed by President Andy Fogell giving a video presentation of 'The Dowry of Mary' after which he encouraged all brothers to make the Pilgimage to the Shrine at Walsingham.

Towards the end of the evening, Bro. John Vickerman was presented with a Miniature by Bro. John Barrie in recognition of his year as Guildford President and Bro.Tim Edwards was presented with a Miniature in recognition of his 3 years as Treasurer. Other brothers: Terry O'Leary; Bill Dodds; Martin Emslie; Mervyn Burby; John Williams and Wally Walsh were presented with Miniatures in recognition of their 25 years of service to the Association. Bro. Rory Flynn who did not receive a Miniature, was presented with 'An Appropriate Gift' in appreciation of his role as Registrar. It was a bottle of something or other but no details nor, I'm afraid, a photograph. Finally, Bro. Steve Rowden was awarded the 'Visitors Cup' having, we were told, made 12 visits to other circles twice as many as any other brother!

Bro. President in reflective mood

Brothers, I have an announcement to make!

This is my last meeting as your President!

Yaay!!!!

Contemplating their fate!

 Bro. Andy Fogell being installed as President

I told you it would be painless!

Bro. Tim being presented to the Brothers as Vice-President

Bro. Glan being presented to the Brothers as Secretary

Think you're up to the job Bro. Glan? No problem Boyo!

Bro. Duncan being presented to the Brothers as Registrar

A photograph of Bro. Blogmaster's chair

Bro. President performing his first important duty while Deacon Bro. Paul Page-Tickell tests the sound system

Deacon Bro. Paul Page-Tickell saying Grace!

Do you know what the grape is? Yes, it's a red one!

Bro. President, Andy Fogell, introducing the video presentation of the 'Dowry of Mary'.

The video being played

 Bro. John Vickerman with his Miniature in recognition of his term as President of the Guildford Circle 2018-2019. Also, Bro. Tim Edwards with his Miniature in recognition of his term of 3 years as Treasurer.

Bro.Terry O'Leary with his 25 year Miniature

Bro. Bill Dodds with his 25 year Miniature

Bro. Martin Emslie with his 25 year Miniature

Bro. Mervyn Burby with his 25 year Miniature

Bro. John Williams with his 25 year Miniature

Bro. Wally Walsh with his 25 year Miniature

Thanks to Bro. John Barrie and now there's only one more presention to make....

... and that's to the Guildford brother who has made more visits than any other brother...

...the gregarious Past Secretary Bro. Steve Rowden who was presented with the Visitors Cup!

Can I claim travelling expenses?

Does he have a home to go to?