cardiff catenians

Province 12 recently held its 12^th Annual Quiz Night hosted by Newport Circle at the Fugitives Rugby Club. 10 teams represented most of the Circles in the Province and with a new Quiz Master, Mike Murphy of Newport Circle, the scene was set for a very competitive evening. Abergavenny Circle, led by Provincial President, Mike Parry, had been in training since last year in an attempt to stop Cardiff’s stranglehold on the competition after 8 straight wins.

The Cardiff team consisting of John Roberts, Peter Sullivan, Mark Johnson and Bernard Adshead, made a slow start and trailed Abergavenny by 2 points after 2 rounds. The picture and dingbat round, one of Cardiff’s strengths, saw them take 5 points off Abergavenny putting them into a lead they never relinquished to record a ninth win in a row. In between the rounds the contestants had enjoyed a superb buffet laid on by the Rugby Club.

Mike Parry, President Province 12, presents the trophy to Cardiff captain, Bernard Adshead.

The Cardiff winning team, Mark Johnson, Bernard Adshead, Peter Sullivan & John Roberts

Cardiff Circle celebrated their Centenary on 28 September 2019 at Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral and Jury’s Inn Hotel. The event commenced with Holy Mass at the cathedral at which The Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff was the celebrant and The Very Reverend Canon Peter Collins, and The Reverend Father Daniel Stanton were co-celebrants. During the Mass the Archbishop blessed and dedicated a memorial plaque to the centenary which will be installed in the Cathedral. The Mass was attended by around 120 brothers and ladies including Great Britain National President Brother Phil Brown and Linda and Province 12 President Mike Parry and Barbara.

The evening continued with a Centenary Meeting in Jury’s Inn attended by 38 Cardiff brothers, 44 visiting brothers, the 3 clergy and 2 prospective members.

The final element of the celebration was a dinner attended by 150 brothers. ladies and guests including the 3 clergy and The Right Honourable Daniel De’Ath Lord Mayor of Cardiff and the Lady Mayoress. Prior to the meal, at the reception, the assembly was entertained by harpist Alis Huws, who was recently appointed as Royal Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales. At the end of an excellent meal, the Lord Mayor gave a welcome address. In his speech, Bro Phil Brown said that Catenians needed to be more active in “getting the name out there” as there are far too many people who have not heard of Catenians or have a total misconception of what they are about. He then presented Bro Phil O’Brien of Cardiff with a 40 year scroll and a bouquet to his wife, Josie, before proposing a toast to Cardiff Circle.

In his address, Cardiff President, Bro Bernard Adshead thanked Bro Philip for his kind words about the Circle and also thanked all those who had given their time over the last 2 years organising the whole centenary year. He went on to paint a picture of Cardiff in 1919 and listed some of the organisations with whom Cardiff shared its centenary including British Airways and Tesco. Bro Bernard then presented the National President with a specially carved Welsh love spoon which incorporated the Catenian logo. Finally, he presented Linda Brown, The Lady Mayoress and his own wife, Vickie, with bouquets before proposing a toast to the Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

The evening concluded with The Archbishop responding after congratulating the Circle and praising the work that Catenians do, often unnoticed, in the church.

PHOTO GALLERY

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On Wednesday 28 August 2019, Cardiff Circle celebrated its 100^th Birthday, its inaugural meeting having been held on the same date in 1919. The day commenced with a group of Brothers visiting the grave of the founding President, Thomas Joseph Callaghan, in Cathays Cemetery in Cardiff. A few moments of silence were followed by a short prayer of thanksgiving for the life of the founding President and flowers were laid on the grave.

The “birthday party” took the form of a buffet in the Scott Room of the Royal Hotel in Cardiff which was the location of the inaugural meeting. The lunch was attended by almost 50 Brothers and ladies and after and excellent meal, the Cardiff President, Bernard Adshead, proposed a toast to TJ Callaghan.

The Scott Room is named after Robert Falcon Scott who, along with his crew, attended a dinner there in June 1910 before setting sail the following day from Barry Docks near Cardiff on his ill-fated expedition to the South Pole.

The Circle will be holding a formal celebration at the end of September to be attended by the National President and Civic and Religious dignitaries.

President Bernard Lays flowers at the grave of TJ Callaghan

Circle President with 17 Cardiff Past Presidents

Enjoying lunch in the Scott Room

President Bernard cuts the 100th Birthday Cake