ACCRINGTON CATENIANS
LANCASHIRE FAMILY HISTORY AND HERALDRY SOCIETY
THE Hyndburn Branch of the Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society held a talk last month by Denise North entitled ‘Bene and Hot the Tommies’ Tipple’.
The talk was well attended and everybody had an enjoyable evening learning about the liqueur Benedictine and how it came from the Palais Royale, Fecamp to Plumbe Street Miners’ Social Club in Burnley.
This month we are holding a slightly different talk entitled ‘Beyond the Iron Curtain’ by Neil Smith.
Neil will take us back to the USSR where he innocently played his music, however the Secret Police and others knew that before his music career Neil worked as a ‘specialist’ for the MOD.
He was followed around and even arrested for taking a photo which he will show us.
Rare items will be on show and astonishing facts and figures revealed.
This most revealing talk will take place at Accrington and District Blind Society, Bank Street, Accrington BB5 1HP on Thursday, August 8 at 7.30pm.
The event is free though any donations will be gratefully received.
A raffle and refreshments will be available so do come along and join us for an entertaining evening. ONCE again Accrington Catenian Circle has had a busy few months.
In early April the Circle team faced Preston 14 Circle in the final of the Provincial Snooker Competition.
This ended in dramatic fashion.
With the score 2-2 and each player needing to pot the black ball to win the deciding frame the Preston player played his shot and the black ball went round the table several times before dropping in a corner pocket to give Preston the match.
Also in April President Neil Goodall presented Beth Neild with a cheque for £100 towards the cost of her pilgrimage to Lourdes where she would assist sick and infirm people.
The Circle Annual Dinner Dance was held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in mid April with over 100 people attending.
Dancing was to The Backbeats.
All who attended enjoyed good food, wine and company.
At the Circle meeting in early May Andrew Snape was installed as president and John Slater as vice-president.
Over 80 people attended including many provincial officers and visitors from other Circle’s.
In early June a clay pigeon shoot was held at Stonyhurst College.
15 members, friends and family enjoyed the day which began at 9.30am with bacon butties and coffee to get them in the right frame of mind.
The actual shooting saw a marked difference in the abilities of those competing.
The overall winner was John Whiteside.
Everyone attending said how much they had enjoyed the experience before departing for home to nurse bruised shoulders.
On the first Sunday in July the Circle celebrated President’s Sunday.
This began with Mass at St Peter’s, Stonyhurst, followed by a drinks reception in the recently restored Theodores House.
Lunch was held at the Newdrop Hotel when around 75 members, friends and family attended.
Upcoming events include a visit to Stonyhurst College to view the collections and artefacts in the museum, a summer evening walk and a visit to Ordsall Hall and Salford Cathedral and the Provincial Ball at Lancaster Hotel. special treat at the end of the summer session with a visit to Mrs Dowson’s Ice Cream Farm.
It was organised by Hollie who is working towards achieving the highest award in Girls’ Brigade The Queen’s Award.
The girls had a fun packed day learning all about life on a farm.
They enjoyed holding new born chicks and rabbits to feeding calves, lambs and goats, playing on the adventure play ground as well as, for many, enjoying choosing different ice cream flavours to try.
The visit was a huge success and Hollie passed her initiative test with flying Colours.