PICTURED ARE MEMBERS OF MALVERN CIRCLE HAVING A GREAT AFTERNOON WITH FOOD, DRINK AND MUSIC TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIG DAY. WE WERE ACCOMPANIED BY PRIESTS FROM LOCAL PARISHES. THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE LADIES OF THE CIRCLE WHO CONTRIBUTED BY PROVIDING THE REFRESHMENTS, SHELTER IN THE FORM OF GAZEBOS AND MARQUEES AND THE GARDEN SPACE PROVIDED BY DIANE AND MIKE WALSH.
Established in 1972, 26th April was the red letter day for Malvern Circle to celebrate its 50th anniversary by holding a dinner for Brothers, ladies and guests at the Bank House Hotel and Spa in Bransford, Worcestershire, just outside the town. Visitors present came from the wider Province and neighbouring Province 12. The event included listening to speakers including Mgr. Tim Menezes, Dean of St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham who said some beautiful graces before and after the meal and a toast to Malvern Circle proposed by Brother Director of Province 6, John Minister. Newly installed Circle President Roger Watson responded to the toast. A further toast to the visitors was proposed by Brother John Duddington, a former Circle President, whose father was also a former Brother of the Circle. The Circle also welcomed Canon Brian McGinley of St George’s Church, Worcester and Father Naz Mgungwe of St Joseph’s Parish in Malvern.
During his speech, Brother Director referred to a claim to TV fame for Malvern Brother John Clark, who was featured in the BBC TV series Great Railway Journeys when he was interviewed by presenter Michael Portillo who was ‘taking the waters’ in the Malvern Hills. There was much amusement and earnest conversation during the evening whilst volumes picturing the history of the Circle from its inception up to the present day, including a written history provided by Brother John Duddington, were passed round.
Whilst awaiting the commencement of the dinner, the ladies in attendance were able to enjoy a picture quiz featuring ‘ladies in history’ and the facilities of the bar. A raffle raised £170 towards the President’s charity this year – the local Malvern Food Bank. Mementos of the occasion were distributed including chocolates for the ladies and a souvenir Morgan car factory bottle opener for the Brothers present.
Pictured is this year’s President of Malvern Circle, Major Peter Armstrong, handing over a cheque for £500 raised by the Circle to the Secretary of the Malvern branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, Helena Goddard. This was the chosen charity of last year’s President Jeremy Kearns who is a keen yachtsman. The handover was delayed because of the lockdown and subsequent Covid – related issues. The event took place at the Circle’s annual Christmas lunch at Worcestershire Golf Club in the presence of 40 Brothers and guests including five members of the clergy from Malvern and Worcester.
Pictured are last year’s President of Malvern Circle, Jeremy Kearns receiving a contributory cheque from Di Walsh on behalf of the Circle Ladies towards his chosen charity, the RNLI. A grand total of £500 was raised during the year. Jeremy is a keen sailor and values the services provided to sailors around the coast of Great Britain.
In order to keep us occupied during lockdown, we decided to hold a garden competition to see how Brothers and wives had improved their gardens during this time. Pictured is the award of a £25 garden centre voucher to the winner, last year’s President Jeremy Kearns, who, with his wife Geraldine, had made the biggest impression on their garden. On the right, making the award during our second post-lockdown ladies’ evening, is Vince Conway, Press and Publicity Officer for the Circle.