Croydon Catenians Circle 60

President’s Sunday started with Mass celebrated by Fr. Barry Hughes at the chapel of Coloma School.

Over 70 members, wives and ladies attended the intimate and warm Mass. Circle member and Deacon Philip Pond assisted and the servers were Keiron, Rachel and McFarlane, children of Brother Mike McFarlane.

A buffet lunch and drinks were served at the home of President Terry and Shirley McCarthy with the food being provided by the ladies of the Circle.

The weather was perfect, warm and sunny, ideal for an afternoon in the garden.

The May Supper was held on Tuesday May 24th at Purley Downs Golf Club.

Croydon Circle were delighted to welcome as guests, Bro. John Lydon, President of Province 19, Bro. Peter Woodford Immediate Past Grand President, Bro. David Arundale Director of Province 19 and Bro. Kevin Rourke Immediate Past President of Province 19 who all attended with their wives.

The May Supper is the Circle’s opportunity to entertain our Ladies and wives and is one of the few ‘black tie’ events in the Circle’s calendar.

Terry McCarthy, Circle President, welcomed all the guests. Provincial President, Bro. John Lydon replied and thanked Croydon Circle for their great support for his Provincial Weekend in Bath later in the year.

The Chef at Purley Downs Golf Club produced an excellent meal and a great time was had by all.

22 Brothers, wives and Circle Ladies joined President of Province 19, Bro. Kevin Rourke and his wife Jacqui for their Provincial Weekend in Cambridge at The Hallmark Hotel on the outskirts of Cambridge.

Well attended by brothers from almost every Circle in the Province, the weekend started with a dinner where guests were asked to wear denim or blue to raise funds for Genes Day supported by the Duchesse of Cambridge.

Saturday activities included visits to Duxford and historic guided tours of Cambridge and punting on the river Cam.

The evening dinner was a formal event hosted by bro. Kevin and Jacqui.

Mass was celebrated in the Hotel on Sunday Morning.

Thirty two brothers, wives and Circle Ladies joined Brother President Richard Pyatt for his President’s Weekend at the Mercure Hotel in Winchester.

The weekend started with Even Song at Winchester Cathedral on Friday evening.

There is much to do in Winchester.

One group headed off to the Mid Hants Steam Railway that runs from Alresford to Alton. Prior to closure by Beeching in 1973 it was known as the Watercress Line as it was used to deliver locally grown watercress to Covent Garden.

Others headed for the local markets and the statue of King Alfred in addition to the Great Hall, one of the finest aisled halls of the 13th century which features the greatest symbol of medieval mythology – King Arthur’s Round Table. The Great Hall features an interesting dressing room where visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately as Knights, Dames, and Monks.

Dinner for the entire party on Saturday evening, was held in a private room at the hotel.

Mass on Sunday morning was held at St. Peter’s Parish Church.

Croydon Circle Immediate Past President Ken Lee was delighted with the support received for his chosen charity, the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Over the 2014/15 Presidential Year, Brothers, Wives, Widows and friends raised almost £4000 before accounting for gift aided donations.  Events ranged from raffles to a sponsored Circle ‘Walk and Run’, Christmas card stamp donations, participation in the Charity’s own Marsden March, and a number of other generous donations.

Bro. Ken and his wife Tina were delighted to receive a certificate from the Royal Marsden for the total raised, on behalf of the Circle.

Croydon Circle immediate Past President Bro. Ken Lee and his wife Tina at the Royal Marsden Sutton receiving a certificate for Croydon Circle from Jean Eve (centre) the Charity’s Community Fundraising Assistant.