Editor's Recommendation: The Sylvan Oak, Findon

It's not often your editor makes recommendations, but he had lunch today at the Sylvan Oak, Findon and was so impressed he couldn't pass up the opportunity. On the lunch-time menu any two courses were £18, so he treated himself to:

Wild Mushroom and Pea Risotto with Truffle Dressed Pea Shoots

Chocolate and Cardamon Créme Brûlée

Delicious and highly recommended!

Did you know...

... that Catena Magazine now has its own website?

http://www.catenamagazine.com/

Who was Bill Gower?

Peter Newell

Peter Newell writes:

Following the recent visit by Crawley Circle to Bexhill Circle for the annual Bill Gower Dinner, the most frequently asked question is always: Who was Bill Gower?  

Bill joined the Catenian Association in 1936 as a member of Sutton Mid-Surrey Circle. In 1940 he transferred to Wigan Circle. Returning to Sutton in 1946, he served as Secretary 1947-1949, and as President 1950-51 and 1951-1952. He transferred to Hastings in 1956, and became President in 1952. He transferred to Bexhill in 1971 to become founder Vice-President. However, due to the untimely death of President-elect Eric Stewart, Bill took over as founder President.

On the death of Bill in 1974, Bexhill Circle decided to honour his great joy of visiting other Circles by awarding a Trophy and Scroll to the Circle in Province 18 with the greatest number of visits to other circles, calculated on a per capita basis annually.

I am genuinely saddened that so many brothers are unable, for whatever reason, to visit their brothers in other Circles both within or without Province 18. To the non-visitor, a name in the obituary pages of Catena or elsewhere is just that, a name. To the regular visitor, it is a close friend, someone you have laughed with, debated with, dined with, wined with, shared with, and most importantly, a dear friend you have prayed with. Visiting must surely be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of Catenian Membership.

I know Bill Gower would have shared that sentiment with me. 

Bil Gower Memorial Trophy Dinner 1st July 2011

Eight brothers from Crawley Circle visited Bexhill for the Bill Gower Dinner. Unfortunately we didn't win the Trophy - which is given for the Circle within our Province with the highest average number of visits per member during the year - that honour went to Seaford Circle. But our Brother President did manage to win a bottle of wine in the raffle afterwards.

New Priests for St John the Evangelist Horsham

The two priests who will replace Fr. Terry Martin and Fr. Peter Andrews in September have been announced as Fr. Richard Biggerstaff and Fr. Aaron Spinelli.

Fr. Richard Biggerstaff

Fr. Richard is currently Parish Priest of St Pancras, Lewes.

Fr. Aaron Spinelli

Fr. Aaron was ordained in August 2008 from the parish of our Lady of Ransom Eastbourne and rejoices in his Filipino and Sicilian origins. He is currently Assistant Priest at St Joseph's Guildford.

Addition to Our Blog Roll

A new addition to our list of relevant blogs (see the right margin) is the new Vatican news site which the Holy Father launched last Tuesday.