Bursary Awards for Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Sutton Coldfield Circle had the pleasure of awarding four 6th form students from St Edmund Campion Catholic School in Erdington, Birmingham, with Catenian Bursary awards of £100 each. The awards presented by circle member Mike Gaffney will assist with the visit of the students on the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s annual pilgrimage to Lourdes at the end of May 2026. A Lourdes pilgrimage is a journey to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. The town is situated in southwestern France. It is one of the world’s largest Catholic sites, where millions travel annually to pray, seek healing, and experience renewal. It commemorates the 1858 visions of the Virgin Mary by Saint Bernadette Soubirous. The students had also undertaken various fundraising activities to assist them with the cost of their visit. They will be junior helpers on the pilgrimage, undertaking various tasks, particularly helping assisted pilgrims

The Catenian Association Bursary Fund, each year, gives financial support to young Catholics from all over the world who volunteer to do something wonderful and help those less fortunate than themselves. Whether this is on an individual project,or with others, including helping assisted pilgrims at Lourdes.

Two of the students receiving their awards –  Left to Right –  Patrycja, Sutton Coldfield Member Mike Gaffney, Annmary, and School Pilgrimage Organiser Teacher Kieran Jenkins.

If you are a local catholic businessman and would enjoy meeting like-minded Catholics, why not come along to one of our meetings, at which you will be most welcome. Please phone our President, Gregory Walsh, on 07969652083.

New President and Vice President for Sutton Coldfield Circle. 

Left  President Gregory Walsh and Right  Vice President Tony McDaid

At its April meeting held at its usual venue, Moor Hall Hotel, member Gregory Walsh was installed as Circle President for 2026/7  and member Tony McDaid was installed as Vice President. Gregory is no stranger to the Catenian Association, as his late father, Arthur Walsh, was a member of the former Rugby circle. Tony is a past President of Birmingham Law Society and is well known in legal circles in the Midlands. Both Gregory and Tony are looking forward to visiting other circles in the wider Midlands area and also being involved in the planning of the 60th Anniversary of Sutton Coldfield Circle in October 2026.  After the circle meeting, members, ladies, and guests sat down to dinner and enjoyed each other’s company.  

Members, wives, and guests are enjoying the evening’s proceedings after dinner.

If you are a local catholic businessman and would enjoy meeting like-minded Catholics, why not come along to one of our meetings, at which you will be most welcome. Please phone our President, Gregory Walsh, on 07969652083.

Welcoming the local Clergy

Sutton Coldfield Circle held its annual clergy night at its usual venue, Moor Hall Hotel, after its February meeting. The circle welcomed  Canon Michael Dolman, Rector of Oscott College, Sutton Coldfield. Monsignor David Cousins, retired priest of the Sacred Heart, Mere Green, Fr Dave Bench, Assistant Priest, Holy Trinity Sutton Coldfield, and Fr Jerzy Gardy, a Polish missionary priest, a guest of member Ryszard Weber. The circle also welcomed widows Janet Diamond and Pat Mann,  Mary Tomlinson  wife of chair for the evening member Liam Tomlinson and Holy Trinity parishioner  Jo Hanrahan . After dinner, an interesting talk and presentation was given by Richard Lloyd on Baddesley Clinton, a moated manor house located in Warwickshire, home to the Ferrers family for 500 years, which contains secret hiding places for catholics and priests during the reformation.

Members , Clergy and Guests enjoying the evening

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.

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Getting Into The Spirit of Christmas

Members, wives, and guests started their Christmas celebrations with the circle’s annual festive party following the December circle meeting at Moor Hall Hotel, Sutton Coldfield.  After the traditional dinner, all joined in the singing of festive carols. However, a quiz on anagrams provided some serious brain storming which unfortunately proved difficult for some, but added to the humour of the evening. An event enjoyed by all.

Members and Guests enjoying the evening in true Christmas Spirit. 

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.

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Circle Tradition Revived

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.

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Trevor Celebrates 25 years of Membership

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.

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An Evening of Fundraising , Enjoyment and Celebration

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.

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Charity Race Night 

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.

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50 Years Award For A Long Standing Member

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.

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An Evening With Classic Cars

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.

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