Sutton Coldfield Circle for a number of years held an annual Chinese evening when many circle members , wives and guests enjoyed a meal at a local Chinese restaurant . Unfortunately, owing to COVID the event was unable to take place . However organiser Paddy Hopkins decided to revive the tradition and see if there was still the same enthusiasm . He wasn’t to be disappointed and a large number of circle members wives and guests gathered together one Friday evening in October at the same venue . A most enjoyable evening was had by all and by all indications the tradition will continue for 2026.
Members , wives and guests enjoying their drinks after the Chinese meal.
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
At Sutton Coldfield Circle’s November meeting there were congratulations to member Trevor Perry on being awarded his 25 year scroll of membership of the circle and the Association. Undertaking the presentation was Sutton Coldfield President Tony Walsh in the presence of twenty two circle members together with visiting members from the City of Birmingham and Streetly circles.
President Tony Walsh presents the scroll to Trevor.
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
Sutton Coldfield Catenian Circle held its annual race night on October 13th at Moor Hall Hotel. With some 80 people attending which included members , guests and parishioners from Holy Trinity Sutton Coldfield . Whether being a winner or looser everyone enjoyed a very entertaining evening . With a card of eight races betting was very intense with some lucky winners . The event was to raise funds for President Tony Walsh’s charity – Tabor Living which provides accommodation and support for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Birmingham. This is the second time that money has been raised from the circle’s annual race night for Tabor Living . £1000 was raised in 2024 but this year’s event raised £1300 which exceeded all expectations. A highlight of the evening was a presentation to member Liam Tomlinson and his wife Mary who had recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary . An evening to remember and all are looking forward to the 2026 event.
Member Liam Tomlinson and his wife Mary celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary with gifts from the circle.Jockeys in position for the start off.
Members and guests enjoying the evening.
f you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
Sutton Coldfield Catenians are holding their Annual Charity Race Night on MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER 7-30PM at Moor Hall Hotel, Sutton Coldfield . Cost £20-00 includes a two course meal. They will be raising funds for Tabor Living ( in partnership with Fr Hudson’s Caritas) which provides accommodation and support for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Birmingham. For further details and booking go to the events section of our website. We look forward to seeing you.
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
Left to Right – Provincial President Peter Tibke , Howard Drake and Sutton Coldfield Circle President Tony Walsh.
Sutton Coldfield Circle at their August meeting held at Moor Hall Hotel were delighted to see one of its long standing members Howard Drake receive his 50 year membership award of the Catenian Association from Provincial Vice President Peter Tibke. Howard who joined the circle in 1975 has been circle treasurer and has always taken a keen interest in the circle’s financial matters which comes from his banking background which included appointments in Jersey where he was a member of Jersey Circle including a period when he was circle treasurer. Joining in the celebration were also a number of visiting members from Solihull, Stafford and Stoke on Trent circles.
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
Sutton Coldfield Circle at its July meeting welcomed local classic car enthusiast Steve Taylor who gave a talk on his love affair with these types of cars. His talk centred on his own classic car – an MG TC 1945 , the 18th made of 10,000 M.G T.Cs , and included part biography, part anecdotes and part reflection on the engineering of classic cars. This included how he purchased and restored the M.G and became involved in classic cars events and purchased a company which made classic car parts which indirectly led him to attend the famous Le Mans road race in France for many years. During his talk he mused about the future of classic cars and commented that the costs to re-build exceed current market value of many classics . He commented that the future is not bright for restoration purposes . An evening for the members and guests to remember with one of the highlights being able to view Steve’s restored M.G in the car park at Moor Hall Hotel with one lucky member Past President Mike O’Halloran being given a lift home”
Members and guests admiring the restored M.G car
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
Sutton Coldfield Circle at its June meeting welcomed back local American historian Steve Lewis who gave an interesting and very informative talk on the Kennedy family. His talk focused mainly on the late John.( Jack) F. Kennedy the former U.S President who with his father Jo’s lucrative support and jerrymandering he managed to become a congressman for Massachusetts in 1956 despite ongoing health issues . He was a very mediocre congressman but whilst still in office he met and married a very cultivated and glamourous journalist Jacqueline Bouvier to shore up his credentials as a prospective senatorial candidate. Undeterred by his health issues and with the help of his father’s money, network and deals he become senator for Massachusetts in 1956. He was now in his element as he loved world related issues and how the USA could support improvements to health, governance etc. Jacqueline encouraged his ambition. Spurred on by his experience as a senator he asked for his father’s help in running for President in the1960 Presidential election. The Kennedy clan went into full mode electioneering on behalf of Jack as he was frequently too ill to do so. He won the election despite being a catholic. His time as President was characterised by some major events such as the Cuban missile crisis, Vietnam and the burgeoning Civil rights movements. Although he made a number of mistakes he was very honest with the public , admitting his errors. When appropriate he didn’t back away from making difficult decisions. He was getting better and better but in November 1963 was assassinated by Lee Havey Oswold.
New Member Greg Walsh centre with on his left Provincial Director and Membership Officer David Prescott , on his right Sutton Coldfield President Tony Walsh and seated member Peter Westbrook.Members and guests listening to Steve’s talk
A very enlightening talk with all members and guests totally engrossed in Steve’s talk.
At the circle meeting before Steve’s presentation, the circle were delighted to enrol a new member into the Circle and the Association Greg Walsh from Four Oaks.
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
There was much joy and celebration at Sutton Coldfield’s May meeting held at its usual venue Moor Hall Hotel when the circle reached another milestone in its history its 700th meeting. The circle was delighted to welcome some 79 members ladies and guests including Great Britain National President Andrew Sowerby and his wife Maria ,Great Britain National Vice President Gerry Mc Cormack and his wife Anna , Provincial President Christopher Snelson and Provincial Director David Prescott and his wife Hazel. There were also members from a wide range of circles within the West Midlands Province including City of Birmingham , Leamington Spa, Kenilworth , Wolverhampton, Streetly , City of Lichfield Stafford and Stoke On Trent.
Distinguished Guests enjoying the celebrationGreat Britain National President Andrew Sowerby presenting the cheque to Caroline Gorman of Tabor Living.
At dinner the evening’s programme was most ably run by the Master of Ceremonies by circle member Peter Westbrook in his usual humorous style and with a look back over the early days of the circle by circle member Liam Tomlinson .The evening was highlighted with the presentation of a cheque for £1650-00 by Andrew Sowerby to Caroline Gorman of Tabor Living a Birmingham based charity which was Tony Walsh’s charity for his Presidential year . The charity provides better opportunities for people experiencing homelessness in Birmingham. Based at St Catherine’s church in Bristol Street the charity works with people over 25 of any gender and offers first steps and move on accommodation with tailored support for people at different stages of their journey away from homelessness. There is good news for the charity.Tony is carrying on as President for 2025/6 and has adopted Tabor Living again for his charity.
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
Sutton Coldfield Circle at its March meeting held a very successful raffle and auction with a wide variety of items being donated by circle members. Some valuable prizes were won in the raffle and bidding was intense for the auction items. The auction being ably conducted by Circle President Tony Walsh. The evening raised £380-00 which will go towards the Circle President’s charity – Tabor Living which provides better opportunities for people experiencing homelessness in Birmingham. Based at St Catherine’s church in Bristol Street the charity works with people over 25 of any gender and offers first steps and move on accommodation with tailored support for people at different stages of their journey away from homelessness. The circle was pleased to welcome President Charles Huthwaite of Droitwich and District Circle and visiting gentleman Gerald Walsh.
President Tony Walsh conducting the auction
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
Sutton Coldfield Circle held its clergy evening after its February meeting. The circle were delighted to welcome two members of the local clergy – Monsignor David Cousins retired parish priest of the Sacred Heart, Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield and Fr Simon Ellis parish priest of St Margret Mary , Perry Common , Birmingham . There were also a number of guests and visitors including two from Italy who were guests of member Martin Wardell. The evening also gave the opportunity for Fr Simon Ellis to promote his recent book – Watch and Pray a publication for young people to help them develop their friendship with God. Members of Sutton Coldfield Circle helped financially for the book to be published.
If you are a local catholic businessman and would like to meet and socialise with other like-minded catholic businessmen why not come along to one of our future meetings. We have a wide social program and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome. Why not give us a try? You will not be disappointed. Just fill in the contact form below and we will be in touch.
Sutton Coldfield Catenian Circle 232 