Provincial President visits Norwood circle
A busy day at work. 28 lengths. To tai chi after a gap of a month. My left shoulder and left knee twinging a bit. To Catenians and lots of visitors. I reported on conference, sick brothers, Elizabeth O'Reilly's 90th birthday, the need for publicity, strategy report.
Provincial councillor’s report June meeting
The centenary conference was held in Manchester. David and Rene Barrett and Laurence and Kate Jones were present. Liz and I went to the Mass at St John’s Cathedral Salford celebrated by Bishop Brain on the Thursday and I attended the Manchester No. 1 circle centenary meeting on Friday afternoon. This was the second biggest meeting ever with 550 brothers present. David Barrett and I actually attended the biggest Catenian meeting ever – the inauguration of London Northern Heights. The meeting was very well conducted with President Phil Barnes in the chair. After the meeting I went to the central library to see the exhibition about the association. Bill Beach’s contribution was included giving the details about St Thomas More and Leonard Longstaffe. I was interested to see that the first circle members wore name badges.
On Friday evening there was a civic reception at Midland Hotel with the Lord Mayor sporting purple hair and a barbershop choir to entertain us. The author was on hand to sign copies of the new centenary history. Brothers David Barrett and Simon Grummitt have copies.
The conference gathered early on Saturday morning in the Bridgewater Hall. We were greeted in song by the brothers and were soon joining in with the song. There was much amusement trying out the electronic counting devices. The Grand President David Taylor gave an excellent address (printed in this month’s Catena) but the highlight of the weekend for me was Fr Timothy Radcliffe’s amusing and helpful address. He spoke particularly of the need for friends for partners in a happy marriage.
In the evening we walked from our hotel overlooking Old Trafford cricket ground to Manchester United’s ground for an excellent dinner and dance. We loved the museum and the guided visit to the magnificent stadium. Many of the Australian brothers had opted for this function. I gather that the speeches at the banquet went on for 90 minutes! The centenary tie which is rather fine was much in evidence. What a pleasure to meet up with brothers from Australia. Africa, Scotland and Malta!
On Sunday we were back in the Bridgewater Hall for the Mass said by the Cardinal. Liz and I were honoured to be mitre and crozier bearer. It was a memorable occasion marked by splendid singing and the Cardinal’s homily.
John Woodhouse Norwood 88
Had a chat about the Rochester Mass in October. Liz has been looking up books and websites re the Canada and Alaska trip.
Provincial councillor’s report June meeting
The centenary conference was held in Manchester. David and Rene Barrett and Laurence and Kate Jones were present. Liz and I went to the Mass at St John’s Cathedral Salford celebrated by Bishop Brain on the Thursday and I attended the Manchester No. 1 circle centenary meeting on Friday afternoon. This was the second biggest meeting ever with 550 brothers present. David Barrett and I actually attended the biggest Catenian meeting ever – the inauguration of London Northern Heights. The meeting was very well conducted with President Phil Barnes in the chair. After the meeting I went to the central library to see the exhibition about the association. Bill Beach’s contribution was included giving the details about St Thomas More and Leonard Longstaffe. I was interested to see that the first circle members wore name badges.
On Friday evening there was a civic reception at Midland Hotel with the Lord Mayor sporting purple hair and a barbershop choir to entertain us. The author was on hand to sign copies of the new centenary history. Brothers David Barrett and Simon Grummitt have copies.
The conference gathered early on Saturday morning in the Bridgewater Hall. We were greeted in song by the brothers and were soon joining in with the song. There was much amusement trying out the electronic counting devices. The Grand President David Taylor gave an excellent address (printed in this month’s Catena) but the highlight of the weekend for me was Fr Timothy Radcliffe’s amusing and helpful address. He spoke particularly of the need for friends for partners in a happy marriage.
In the evening we walked from our hotel overlooking Old Trafford cricket ground to Manchester United’s ground for an excellent dinner and dance. We loved the museum and the guided visit to the magnificent stadium. Many of the Australian brothers had opted for this function. I gather that the speeches at the banquet went on for 90 minutes! The centenary tie which is rather fine was much in evidence. What a pleasure to meet up with brothers from Australia. Africa, Scotland and Malta!
On Sunday we were back in the Bridgewater Hall for the Mass said by the Cardinal. Liz and I were honoured to be mitre and crozier bearer. It was a memorable occasion marked by splendid singing and the Cardinal’s homily.
John Woodhouse Norwood 88
Had a chat about the Rochester Mass in October. Liz has been looking up books and websites re the Canada and Alaska trip.
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