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| Don't look so smug boys - this is nothing on what Crawley Catenians had to eat last night |
A respectable turnout not only made for a good evening but ensured that plenty of food was brought for the buffet. There was, in particular, an abundance of every type of quiche one could wish for! Yum. St Edward's Social Club bar (I wish we had one of those at St John's... Any chance of its being included in the refurbishment plans?!) was open, so everyone was well watered as well as fed.
I particularly hope Bro Steve Thornton had a nice time. Although he tried to keep it under his hat, it emerged towards the end of the evening that it was in fact his birthday and he was made to stand up whilst we all sang to him.
During the AGM itself, Bro Edek presented the previous year's Vice-Presidential Report. I thought this would be a good occasion to take one last look back over the Catenian Year 2011-12 and therefore present a summary of it. Should you wish to read the original, I would just mention that it is three pages long (well it was an action-packed year), but I'm sure Bro Edek would be pleased to let you have a copy!
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"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Bro Mike on his year as President and would like to thank him for his friendship, support and leadership throughout the year. It has been a privilege to work with him and his will be a very hard act to follow. Many thanks too to the Social Committee and the various individual Brothers who have organised a year of fantastic events for us, and to all Brothers, their wives and our Circle widows for coming along and supporting them. I would also, of course, like to welcome Mark Forster as the new Circle Vice-President and wish him every success for the forthcoming year.
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| The proposed new Crawley Circle croquet team kit |
"The Circle has been very active throughout the year, starting off with the Provincial One-Ball Croquet competition held last April in Southwick. The Crawley team won the competition - well done to Bro Mike, Bro David Innes and his wife Irene, and guest player Bro John Goulding!
"Not quite as successful in terms of trophies, but equally enjoyable, was the Provincial Darts Competition at Patcham. Our team of Bros Mike, Phil Gidman, Chris Smith and myself provided a gallant display of arrow-throwing but unfortunately insufficient darts hit the right parts of the board at the right times. We were consoled however by the discovery that the fish and chip supper included mushy peas!
"The Provincial AGM was also in April and whilst a few Brothers did attend from Crawley, I'm pleased to report that there was a better turnout at the 2012-13 AGM. Our Circle AGM in May saw a record turnout.
"In June our Croquet team (consisting once more of the multi-talented Bro Mike, this time accompanied by Bros Laurie, Peter M and Gerry) was pipped at the post in Southwick, narrowly missing out to Haywards Heath for the Arthur McKivett Rose Bowl. This event is proving to be so popular that the Circle has entered two teams this year!
"The annual Mass for Deceased Wives was held in Storrington later in June and, as always, was a very moving occasion. It was well attended by Crawley Circle. I would encourage all Brothers to try to attend this.
"Peter Frisby organised the Alternate Benny O'Shea and Foley Niblick golf tournaments which I understand were again a great success. Peter commended the generosity of Brothers who were unable to attend the Foley Niblick but still made donations.
"President's Sunday took place at the end of June at the Holbrook Club in Horsham. It was very well attended and the weather was glorious which meant we could enjoy the delicious buffet sitting outside. The occasion began with Mass said by Fr Terry Martin.
"In July we had the pleasure of another Garden Party hosted by Diane Foley, who kindly welcomed us into her garden. Despite the damp weather turning the Garden Party into a Conservatory Party, I am assured that the event was hugely enjoyed by all!
"In August the prospect of going to jail become a reality as Bro Laurie organised a trip for lunch at the Clink Restaurant in High Down Prison. The Clink offers training in a real work environment for prisoners and an opportunity to change people's perception of prisoners and attract potential employers. This event was such a success that at the end, Bro Gerry remained on the wrong side of the bars! (He has since been released, with a caution.)
"August saw another big event too - a tour of the Houses of Parliament. A group of 20 Brothers and wives met in London and were treated to an excellent guided tour by a very entertaining Liverpudlian guide. The day then continued with lunch at the onsite Westminster Cafe followed by a tour of the Jewel Tower, one of only two buildings from the medieval Palace of Westminster to survive the fire of 1834. A fascinating outing.
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| These clergy know how to enjoy themselves |
"In September a group of 30 Brothers, ladies and friends flocked to the Capitol Theatre in Horsham to see Death by Fatal Murder starring Dirty Den from Eastenders and Herr Flick from 'Allo 'Allo. A number of the group met earlier to enjoy a pre-theatre dinner at the China Brasserie. All in all a great night out!
"October, as always, brought us Clergy Night: well attended by said clergy, including Frs Richard Biggerstaff and Aaron Spinelli who had only arrived in St John's parish the previous month. This was the first event at our new venue of Ghyll Manor and despite a few teething problems (such as no Guinness!) the evening was enjoyed by all present, especially the clergy and Sisters.
"Clergy Night was followed swiftly by the Mass for Deceased Brothers in Patcham. We had a relatively strong turnout but as there is still room for improvement, I would encourage Brothers to make a special effort to come to this Mass in future.
"In November we contested the inaugural Barry Jordan Trophy - a newly-created Tri-Circle competition between Crawley, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath. The format selected this year was Pig Racing. Brothers and ladies from all three Circles gathered at St Edward's Hall and enjoyed a spectacular night of racing, though some were surprised to discover that the pigs were small and furry and ran on batteries! (Real ones next year, perhaps.) A grand total of £500 was raised which was split between the three President's Charities, with Haywards Heath emerging as narrow winners of the trophy. At the same time the Michael Lydon Trophy was contested between Horsham and East Grinstead, based on the pig racing results. Unfortunately our betting strategies led to our relinquishing the trophy to East Grinstead!
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| Elegance is always the order of the day at Catenian events |
"A merrie olde tyme was had by about 70 of us at the Christmas Dinner in Ghyll Manor, where there was much relief to see that the Guinness had now made an appearance. At the end of the evening, Bro Bernard Smith accompanied a rousing chorus of carols on a keyboard kindly brought along by Bro Mike (who presumably will be doing a stint himself next time round...?!). The evening was rounded off in true Catenian tradition with an enthusiastic rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
"January saw another moving occasion when the Circle meeting was preceded by the Mass for Deceased Wives of Crawley Circle, said by Fr Terry at St Theodore's in Gossops Green.
"The Provincial Quiz was held in February and there was a healthy turnout for it. Bro Gerry was Quiz Master for the evening and delivered both questions and answers with suitable aplomb! Brighton Regency carried away the honours, but one of the Crawley teams came a respectable (and close) third.
"In March we had what is quickly becoming a fixture on the Calendar - an evening meal organised by Bro Laurie. On this occasion, he chose not to risk Bro Gerry getting embroiled in further trouble and arranged a delicious and convivial meal at the Silver Wok in Horsham.
"We had four after-Circle suppers during the year at which we had the pleasure of the Circle ladies' company. This year we plan to have two more such suppers, but in addition we will also be holding two further informal social lunch events with the ladies and friends. Watch this space (and the up-to-date Events Calendar on the blog).
"Many of these events have been reported on in more detail on the blog over the past months. All in all, an excellent Catenian year packed with the requisite friendship and faith - and more than a little fun!"
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