Fun times galore

Let it never be said that Crawley Catenian Circle doesn't know how to enjoy itself.  We're virtually party animals.  To vindicate this statement, I'll draw attention to three recent much-enjoyed events!  (Apologies for the lack of "live" photos - I believe Bro President has some from the Race Night which I'll post up when I can prise them off his 'phone.  Many thanks to Bros Sajith and Mark who have now provided me with some President's Sunday pictures.)

President's Sunday (24 June)

After a Mass graciously and sensitively celebrated by Fr Terry Martin at St Edward's in Pound Hill, we repaired to Iris Jordan's house in Three Bridges for a most marvellous barbecue!  Iris excelled herself as hostess and we were treated to a lavish selection of burgers, sausages, salads and more, with a variety of delicious puds to follow.  Needless to say the wine and beer flowed freely too and Iris' beautiful garden provided the perfect backdrop.  Thank you very much Iris, her family and all helpers.  A very convivial occasion and a heartening start to Bro Edek's year as President.

Thank you Fr Terry for joining us
to celebrate Mass

Bro President Edek reads

Bro Mark circulates with the raffle
tickets, extorting gently persuading
everyone to dip into their pockets

You'll always find Bro Mike
in the kitchen at parties
(selflessly serving the rest of us)

The perfect setting -
Iris' gorgeous garden

Don't know what Margaret's saying, but
she sure knows how to hold her audience

Should've gone to Specsavers?

A good crowd has gathered to enjoy Iris'
hospitality (oh look, Bro Mark's still
at it with his raffle tickets)

Never let it be said that Catenians aren't
patriotic!

And finally... Bro Mark is forced to cough
up a return for all that raffle money.  Iris
helps him distribute the prizes

Thank you to all who worked hard to
give us such a lovely afternoon

 
St Wilfrid's Race Night (15 June)

Great fun!  A substantial table of Catenians (substantial in number, I mean!!) supported this event which Crawley Circle had helped to sponsor.  Bets were placed freely and whilst Bro Edek and myself managed to end the evening well down on our luck and money, I'm happy to say that this was not the case with everyone.  Doreen Newell in particular had a shrewd eye for a winner and I'd have done much better just to copy all her bets! What with all the excitement we worked up quite an appetite and a fish and chip supper was much appreciated.  Well done Sarah Gildea and St Wilfrid's for a good night out, which I believe raised about £800 for the school (please correct me if I'm wrong, Bro Mark).

Ladies' lunch at Ifield Golf Club (11 July)
The Catenian Association isn't just about the gentlemen but very much includes their wives and families in its embrace.  The Ladies' lunch was an excellent example of this.  I am very grateful to Margaret Georgeson and Ann Mullarkey for picking up what should really have been my responsibility and organising a lovely lunch outing for the ladies and guests.  The food and setting were both very agreeable and a good time was had by all.  I would also like to register an official and very big "thank you" for the proceeds of the Raffle (£104.80) which were kindly donated to Aila's Fund.  (As the icing on our family's cake, I also won a bottle of vodka in the aforementioned raffle!  A rare event as I'm usually about as lucky in raffles as I am at horse racing bets.)

I believe that ladies' events are a really important dimension of Circle activities and think it would be fantastic if we could put some more in the diary over the next months - I am hoping to be in a position to be involved with their organisation once the autumn term is underway.

And it doesn't stop there...

A glance at the Calendar page on the blogsite will show how active our Circle is.  Coming up on 20 July, of course, is our 600th Meeting, which I'm quite sure will be a night to remember.  Party on, Crawley Circle!