John completes 40 years
At their meeting on 20 May 2013, Cardiff Circle were delighted that Past Grand President, Bro Philip Gidman, was in attendance to present a 40 year scroll to Bro John Hall who until last year was Director of Province 12. In his resume of Bro John’s Catenian career, Bro Philip noted that Bro John had joined Leigh circle in 1973 before transferring to Cardiff in the late 1970’s when he was appointed manager of the Boots store in Cardiff having qualified in the early 1970’s as a pharmacist. Bro John was president of Cardiff Circle in 1981/82 and again in 2002/03 and served a term as Provincial President in the 1990’s. His Catenian career progressed and Bro John served as Province 12 Director from 1999 to 2012. Bro Philip also noted that the Bursary Fund was, and still is, a passion for Bro John and in his period as a Director he served as the Association’s Charity Officer. Having visited Zimbabwe in 2002 and again in 2005, Bro John made the plight of the orphans in Zimbabwe one of his major concerns. Bro Phil said that Bro John, as leader of a team, had delivered in 2007 the Cardiff conference which in his opinion was the best and most successful ever.
In his response Bro John said that his late wife Rita had been responsible for him joining the Catenians in the first place. Bro John said that it had been a privilege and honour to have held office at National, Provincial and Circle levels. He briefly described some of the highlights of his Catenian life – Circle BBQ’s, Sing-songs at dinners before Grand Council meetings with Bro Jim Quinn, visits to the orphanages in Zimbabwe, accompanying the President on a trip to Australia and the Cardiff Conference. He was particularly proud that Province 12 was the author of the third verse of the Zimbabwe prayer said at all circle meetings which intercedes on behalf of the orphans and their carers. Bro John thanked Bro Phil for presenting him with the scroll and gave thanks to Cardiff circle which he described as a “very special circle”.
Pictured
(standing l to r) Past Grand President Philip Gidman, Past Grand Secretary Jim Quinn, Province 12 Director Stephen Lake, Provincial President Michael Murphy and Cardiff President Bill O’Brien (seated) John Hall
Past Grand President Philip Gidman, John Hall and Cardiff President Bill O’Brien
cardiff catenians 