Our 600th meeting in words!

A time to meet friends old and new

Unable to choose which of the two sets of superb photos below to grace with my less than superb prose, in the end I've decided to create an entirely new post for the write-up of Crawley Circle's 600th meeting...

The meeting took place last Friday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Crawley, preceded by a champagne Reception for the ladies and visitors and followed by a three course dinner and speeches.  I can't of course comment on the meeting itself, but I am given to understand that it went very well.  I can comment on the other two parts of the evening which were thoroughly enjoyable.  It was fantastic to see such a big gathering (over 160 in total, I believe) - the gentlemen looking distinguished, as ever, in their black ties and the ladies all radiant in lovely "posh frocks"!  The fellowship and support that are such a feature of Catenian life were tangible, especially in the presence of so many visitors and guests from other Circles.  Our three course dinner of salad, salmon (it was Friday after all) and lemon torte was both delicious and served with great politesse by the hotel staff.

Even on the golf course
those Catenians look natty

Unfortunately Bishop Kieran Conry was unable to join us due to an overrunning event in Stoke and heavy traffic delays, but it was a pleasure to welcome the Catenian Association Grand President Bro John Mottram and other distinguished Brothers such as the Grand Vice-President, Provincial President, Vice-President and Director, with their lady wives.  Bro Circle President Edek spoke after dinner, mentioning the importance of our Catholic beliefs as the ground of our identity and activities as Catenians and the pillars of faith, family and fellowship around which Catenian life revolves (and getting in a few jokey jibes at lawyers and golf players along the way, taken I am sure in good spirit!  Bro Andrew and Stella, you were spared this time as a joke about bee keeping was written out of the final script... I'm sure it can be revived for a future occasion though).  Bro Edek proposed a toast to the ladies and guests which was replied to by Bro Grand President John Mottram.  Bro Dominic Moorhouse offered "a brief history of Crawley Circle" which was most interesting.  

The end result - no sign of those legs
paddling frantically away

Although the event ran as smoothly as well-oiled clockwork on the night, an awful lot of hard and at times stressful work had gone into the organisation; or to use another simile, it was a classic case of a beautiful swan apparently gliding effortlessly along whilst under the waters its legs were paddling twenty to the dozen!  The swan's legs in this instance were Bro Vice-President Mark Forster, who together with Bro Mike Newman, Bro Roy Martin and MC Bro Gerry Lydon (and I'm sure others too) did the Circle proud.  Thank you, and well done.

Thank you, in fact, to all who attended the evening and to all those who were unable to attend but who are a part of the Catenian Association and particularly of our province and of Crawley Circle.  I know you will all agree with me when I say that last Friday's fantastic celebrations were in essence a reflection of the goodwill, fellowship and community spirit that is "the Catenians".

Your humble scribe is off on pilgrimage to Lourdes tomorrow with Arundel & Brighton Diocese.  I will be sure to remember all Catenians and their families in prayer at the grotto.