WHEN Fr Charles Jeffries, pastor of Weybridge in Surrey, celebrated Mass in the Oaklands Park Hotel, for some 250 Catenians and their wives, to mark the 300th meeting of the Weybridge Circle, on November 22, he was, according to John Barrie, KSG, of the Croydon Circle, on historic ground. For it was here that Julius Caesar camped in 55BC, with his invading Roman legions, prior to his fording of the river Thames.
I was privileged to be the guest of Michael MacLoughlin, supremo of the Bank of Ireland in Britain. It was announced that the Bank of Ireland have put up £4000 to sponsor Public Speaking Contests for Sixth Formers in Catholic schools.
The contestants, Michael tells me, will be drawn for example in the Southern Area, from as far apart as Norfolk and Chichester. It is vital for the Church that young people be trained in the art of public speaking.
The first contest will take place at the Irish Centre 52, Camden Square London NW1.
Details from Herbert Murnaghan, Grand Director of Province 19, The Catenian Association, "Coach House", West Hill, Oxted, Surrey.