Balham Brothers and friends enjoyed a well-earned drink following their ten mile walk in the Surrey Hills above Shere, the last mile or so through persistent rain.
Continue reading Valiant Balham Brothers and friends battle persistent rain!
Maintaining a safe distance, Brothers Matt, Tristan, Don and Nader, accompanied by Tracey and Polly (the dog) enjoy lunch by the Tillingbourne during the first post-lockdown Balham Circle walk on 20 June. The route took in eight miles around Gomshall. After over three months a certain ‘rustiness’ was to be expected but everyone made the circuit in good spirits despite not one of the five pubs en route yet being open; the beer being as much a feature of these walks as the miles. Things on that score should have improved by the next walk, scheduled for late July.
During the current COVID-19 lockdown Balham Circle has, if anything, been able to meet more often than normal. Through the use of Zoom Brothers have had the opportunity to meet most Mondays for an informal chat.
On May 25, even though it was a Bank Holiday, we held the formal monthly Balham Circle Meeting on Zoom and a good number of visiting Brothers from other circles joined us. We aim to continue in this way until the end of lockdown. TGB
Five good friends from Balham Catenians attended the Province 19 Public Speaking Competition on the evening of 13th November at St Joseph’s Parish Hall in Epsom. There were eight young competitors from Catholic schools in the Surrey area and the standard of public speaking was quite exceptional. As usual, this was a very entertaining evening and well worth the trip to Epsom. NB/TGB
The parish church of St Vincent de Paul in Attenburg Gardens, Battersea played host to the brothers of Balham Circle and their wives and families as they celebrated President’s Sunday on 23rd June. Monsignor Tim Galligan welcomed the brothers of the circle before the 11am Mass and had some very kind words to say about the Association as a whole and the hospitality that had been extended to him in the past at Clergy dinners held by Balham Circle.
After Mass brothers and their families headed to the church hall and enjoyed a buffet and drinks provided by circle President Bro Noel Brownsell. Fr Tim, as he prefers to be called, joined the celebrations and was made to feel most welcome in our midst.
Continue reading 2019 President’s Sunday celebrated at St Vincent de Paul Church Battersea
Balham Circle Clergy Night was held this year on April 29 and was attended by a record number of priests, due to a lot of hard work by our past president Charles Marriott. It was, of course, a ladies night and there was a glorious turn out of our ‘better-halves’.
Continue reading Balham Brothers celebrate Clergy Night 2019 in great style!
Balham Circle fielded two high quality teams for the Roland Young annual quiz night on the evening of 19th March at the Burr Hill Golf Club.
Purley’s quiz wizard, Bill Higgins, looked confident, but as it turned out he had insufficient support from the other two members of his team. Balham A team was fizzing with confidence and mental assuredness as the questions were slowly and clearly delivered by the Weybridge MC. Continue reading Balham Circle triumphant at Weybridge Quiz Night!
It is with the greatest sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our dear Brother David Prebble MBE.
Brother David was the quintessential Catenian. He was a member of Purley and Balham Circles. He was Provincial President in 2012 – 2013, Provincial Membership Officer from 2013 to 2017, Provincial Councillor for Purley Circle and a founder member of Balham Circle. He was President of Purley Circle twice and Balham Circle once. He made many visits to circles all over Province and was well known for his common sense and humour. Continue reading Balham Circle mourns the death of Brother David Prebble, but takes solace in happy memories
We have heard from the Windmill that they will be carrying out some refurbishment work over the next two months and will not be able to host our Balham Circle meetings. We have therefore chosen to relocate for two months to a very interesting venue not far away on Wandsworth Common. Le Gothique are offering us a two course meal at £22 and the use of their mezzanine floor to hold the meeting. Continue reading The next Balham Circle meeting, September 24 will be held at Le Gothique on Wandsworth Common.
Brother Charles held his President’s Sunday on September 2. It was a glorious early September day, with sunshine and blue skies. Starting with Mass at the Holy Ghost Church, we then walked the short distance to the Marriott household where we had a most enjoyable lunch. Continue reading President’s Sunday, September 2018
Balham Circle 350 