President’s Report 2018-19
Let’s start with the negatives! The Circle had to say good-bye to its oldest member, Gerard Swarbrick, who sadly died in November 2018 after a spell of bad health. However, in addition there has been a steady decline in membership with a growing list of permanent apologies and then the resignations of John Casey, Bill Lloyd and Alan Williams jnr. Sadly, we also seem to have lost last year’s President, Steve Marston-Yim and founder member David Jamieson.
Looking on the positive side, we had a superb celebration of our 40th anniversary of foundation, with a well-attended function at the Formby Hall Golf Club. I am extremely grateful to Phil Roberts for all the effort he put into this and the great and the good that he managed to cajole into coming to the Mass and dinner, as well as the Circle Meeting. It was undoubtedly the highlight of the year for me – and Dolores. Thank you to Fr Michael Barrett for celebrating Mass on this occasion and on others too, as well as all those who helped with the liturgical roles in this Mass and the others!
The other meeting that stands out for me is the joint meeting and Mass for Deceased Brothers with 74 over in their area. There was a great talk from Ray Donnelly and the various charities of the year have benefitted on my reckoning to the tune of around £1000 which is tremendous. A big thank you to all who contributed.
Clergy Night was again a wonderful evening. We have established a great tradition there which brings the Circle and the clergy close together. They are some of our most important allies in further recruitment and they like to be involved.
Whilst Dolores and I were enjoying the warmth and hospitality of New Zealand and Australia, you had another very successful Christmas Party – another great tradition which brings us together. It was also a great evening that saw Phil Roberts get his 40 year scroll – again whilst we were down-under!
It wasn’t ‘Our’ Burns Nite but it was a super evening in Skelmersdale which saw us supporting the parish and enjoying ourselves. In similar vein was the St Patrick’s Night organised by 74 and well supported by Catenians including 285. Surely these are a way forward for the Association?
True too of the Bursary Fund and the number of presentations of awards in our area
The same could be said of the Wisdom Club which I was able to attend on a couple of occasions. Thank you to Richie for keeping this going, indeed growing it. It serves a very important function and keeps brothers involved in the life of the Circle.
We managed to have after-dinner speakers at all the meetings – many from within our Circle and a few guest speakers. I am very grateful to them all but especially to those of Ormskirk Circle who entertained us so well.
We had some super walks which I hope will continue. Again thank you to Sid, Ian and Phil and those who support them. The walks have been a lovely way of bringing the wider Circle together.
I am indebted to the support I have received from the Circle and Council, particularly John Lydon as vice-president, Mac our secretary and soon to be vice-president, and our treasurer. I would also like to mention in particular Mike Kelly who drove me many times to meetings and events. I know it is dangerous to name individuals because you always miss people and offend them but if I may I’d like to express thanks to my fellow founding members for all that they have done in this 40th year!
The widows have been very supportive too and I’d like to thank them for coming to many of our functions. They and our wives have helped the Circle in so many ways and I am very grateful.
I wish the incoming officers a great year, especially your new President, John and thank you for letting me be your President this year.
Michael W Brooks
7th May 2019
