Community Fayre 2017

Community Fayre in Southend-on-Sea

Saturday 21st October 2017

Nazareth House, 111 London Road, Westcliff, SS1 1PP

For a second year, the Knights have organised our Community Fayre at Nazareth House in Westcliff for the people of the area and we have several local charities, local groups and local businesses that have something to offer both locally and globally.

This is to happen on Saturday October 21st between 10.30pm to 1pm, half an hour later than last year.

The whole ethos of this event is to gather and offer many local groups, local charities, and local businesses working in the Southend area all under one roof for the benefit of the people of the area, with Fair Trade and supporting others being a part of the thinking too. Originally this was meant to be a one off event but several people asked us to do it again hence this second year running. There is also a second community event in Southend called Active Ageing run by the Southend Older People's Assembly (of whom some of our members are also members there too) and this runs from 9.30am to 2pm and some of the exhibitors at our event last year will be available there so a great opportunity for people to get some good support and advice across both events.

The bullet list below contains those confirmed in attendance and will be updated regularly. There will be around 20 exhibitors in the hall and the exhibitors confirmed as at 10th September are:

• Essex Savers Credit Union will be there to share their services and to help stop people using loan sharks by offering local ethical banking protected by the FCA. The credit union is there to help those on low incomes and help is also needed from people who have income to save which can be used back in the community
  For more information visit http://www.essexsavers.co.uk/
• We have Southend Soup coming who are a community micro finance project group working and helping small groups in Southend to make a difference within our community.
  For more information visit http://southendsoup.co.uk/
• We have Storehouse Direct who provides support, food, clothing and inspiration to those in need in the local Southend community http://www.storehouse.org.uk
• We have CAFOD Brentwood who work with the Catholic community in the diocese to raise both funds and awareness of global poverty and injustice through parishes, schools, and networks https://cafodbrentwood.wordpress.com/
• We have Southend In Transition who through their Community Allotment bring people together to build friendship, learn skills for growing food and maintaining plants, and so much more - https://sitcommunityallotment.wordpress.com
• We have the BCCS or Brentwood Catholic Children's Society who will be in attendance and they provide social workers for counselling and support to children and young adults up to the age of 18 in schools of all denominations - http://www.bccs.org.uk/
• We have the The Hub Southend which is a community space where residents can get support with using computers, putting CVs together, help with finances through Essex Savers and whole range of other areas of support locally - https://thehubsouthend.net/
• We have CAP or Christians against Poverty are passionate about releasing people from a life sentence of poverty, debt, unemployment and addiction. https://capuk.org/
• We also have Serving the Homeless, an interdenominational community project supporting young homeless people locally - http://servingthehomeless.org.uk/
• There will be our own members manning a table for the Southend Older People's Assembly for those aged over 55 and they supply a voice, support and advice for this age group in Southend and membership is free - http://olderpeoplesassemblysouthend.co.uk/
•  We have the Catholic Clothing Guild in attendance who provide clothing for the needy and have been doing so since 1924 - http://www.catholicclothingguild.org.uk/brentwood.html
• There will be a table for the Alzheimer's Society with support information concerning dementia issues - https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
• Ace Lifestyle Southend will be there and they are a service for residents of Southend who wish to make positive changes to their lifestyle to improve their health and wellbeing - http://acelifestyle.org/southend-lifestyle

There will be boxes for people to donate used spectacles/glasses for VisionAid Overseas, as well as old stamps, old mobile phones and old foreign coins for charities also. We will also be having a raffle of fantastic Fair Trade items and we will have a second hand book table too.

It will be open from 10.30am to 1pm and is free to enter.

There will be light refreshments such as Fair Trade Tea and Fair Trade Coffee and home made cakes.

Come and meet some great local people and get some help and ideas whilst having a decent cup of tea.

Diamond Membership Anniversaries

60 Years of service marked for two of our members

We gathered on Sunday 25th June 2017 at the Parish of Saint Peter in Eastwood to celebrate sixty years of active membership for two distinguished members of our Council here in Southend; Brother Noel and Brother Brian.

Mass was concelebrated by Members of Honour Father Michael with our Chaplain Father Jeff, and Deacon Richard, and our Provincial Grand Knight Brother George and his wife were also in attendance with a large gathering of Brothers and their families to make this a wonderful celebration. At the end of Mass, both Noel and Brian were presented each with a certificate of thanks and recognition signed by our Supreme Knight Brother Charlie having already been presented with their Golden Jubilarian awards ten years earlier. Both gentleman are active members quietly supporting everything we do not just at our events, but in their own parishes and in the community too.

Brian (left) with Noel (right)

Also, for the first time in many years, the tradition of giving a religious statue to immediate sons and daughters of members who had recently had their First Holy Communions' took place with a blessing from Father Jeff to three children at the end of Mass too.

Afterwards, we headed for lunch at a Toby Carvery and took over a large section of the seating when we sat down for a fun social gathering and a feast to close the days' festivities.

Here is an extract of the speech delivered by our Grand Knight and Chairman Liam that was read to parishioners in recognition of the dedication of the two diamond jubilarians:-

Brother Noel Browne joined the Knights on 6^th January 1957. Noel spent countless years with Barking Council serving tirelessly as Treasurer for many, many, years, as well as Warden and Chancellor. For a two-year period Noel also served Province as auditor… Although only having transferred to Southend Council a few years ago he instantly became a valued member of the team bringing warmth, kindness and wisdom to debate, always willing to get stuck in and assist. We are truly blessed and thank Noel for his remarkable contribution now, and during the past 60 years.

And now, last but by no means forgotten. Brother Brian Dillon… In truth it would be almost impossible to forget Brother Brian, for all the right reasons of course, diminutive in stature but a giant amongst Knights. Brother Brian joined the Knights on 7^th April 1957, the son of a Knight, Brother Brian has held most official positions within council, including being Grand Knight, just like his father before him and his son since – However, Brian went on to serve province for many years, achieving the position of Provincial Grand Knight. I believe Brian thinks I’m joking when I call him the Oracle, but I’m deadly serious, what Brian doesn’t know about the Knights isn’t worth knowing. He has been an inspirational figure to me and I know many other Knights over the years. Brian is quick to praise and slow to criticise and patient to a fault with those who are willing to work hard and invest time. Our Council is the richer for having Brian around, I’m the richer for his words of wisdom and I’m sure many others would say the same. 

BCCS Walk 2017

Sponsored Seafront Walk 2017 for the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society

This year we walked much later than normal; Saturday 1st July to be exact and we had the most beautiful weather to accompany us.

We also had people walking from ages 8 up to 81 years of age and everyone who took part completed the walk which was fantastic.

The day started by dropping a car to the finishing point for lifts back at the walks completion and on picking both Joan and Margaret up from St George's we travelled the route almost in reverse as we headed to the starting point.

Father Joseph said Mass at 10am and then got ready to walk also and at the time of leaving the sun had burnt away the clouds and a light breeze accompanied the full sunshine.

As in previous years we had different people setting off from different start points with Hilary and John walking from Westcliff train station having arrived from Stratford by train, and Brian walking from his parish in Prittlewell. Our main party included parishioners from Benfleet, Westcliff, Leigh-on-Sea and Prittlewell and we were all eager to do our bit and finish too.

Just over halfway we paused for respite and Father Joseph lead us in prayer before the final stretch towards the parish hall of Saint George where we were warmly met by Frank and Val for a hot drink and biscuits and Julie from the BCCS greeted us too and gave out the certificates to the walkers.

Thank you to all who gave support for this event.

The wonderful Val and Frank serving refreshments

Our Walkers - 

Aylesford Priory 2017

Our Day Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory Sunday 11th June 2017

Having just celebrated the feast day of our Patron Saint Columba on Friday 9th, it was fitting that our Council once again journeyed to the Knights Southern Area Pilgrimage at Aylesford Priory where we are always made to feel at home.

Just like last year, we took a coach of Knights and parishioners from across the Southend parishes, and we were delighted that two of the nuns from Nazareth House were able to join us.

With the Southend sunshine in tow, we arrived with plenty of time to settle in for the 51st Annual pilgrimage and Mass was said by Monsignor Matthew Dickens (Vicar General for Southwark) with Reverend Father Innocent Obonyi concelebrating on the feast of the Holy Trinity. Monsignor Matthew recognised and thanks the Knights across the country for the work we do for our clergy, for our parishes and for the community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve and support our clergy in working in our communities.

During Mass, three of our members amongst thirty three were elevated to full Knighthood with our Supreme Knight Brother Charlie, and Deputy Supreme Knight Brother Bertie leading the short ceremony.

Brothers Duncan, Charles and Jerry (front to back) ready to become full Knights

After Mass, and then lunch, we had time to wander around the peaceful grounds that the Carmelites care for so well, and the day finished with a Rosary Procession and Benediction before boarding the coach back to Southend. All in all a brilliant day with a chance to reflect, to give thanks, and to be together with our families and friends.

Pilgrimage to Ieper

Our Day Pilgrimage to Ieper (Ypres), Belgium 30th May 2017

It was poignant that we went to Ypres, the cemeteries there, the battlefields, and the memorials. The Knights of Saint Columba as an organisation was born originally to support troops coming home to Scotland (Glasgow) following the Great War and it was from there that who we are and what we stand for came about.

Many of our members here is Southend-on-Sea both past and present have connections with family members who took part in that most tragic of wars. Going to Ypres gave us time to reflect, to remember and to commemorate not just those soldiers we knew of but for those we did not know.

The many parishioners from the parishes around Southend had also come along for many reasons and including former serviceman, school children (it was half term) and families looking to learn and experience such a trip for themselves.

Through hard work, our current Chairman Liam sought information about a local lad living in Leigh-on-Sea who had served in the Great War and had volunteered with the Essex Yeomanry at the very young age of fifteen. At various points of our coach journey, Liam read letters written by this local lad; Cecil Cattell, who on writing to his family had not yet reached the frontline, but was very grateful for the gifts of cake, and asked very fondly about friends and family at home.

Private Cecil H. C. Cattell of the Essex Yeomanry

Our first stop took us the town centre to allow us to get our bearings of where different sites and places were for the day and after a quick break for lunch we were driven to the vast grounds of Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing which holds 11965 burial graves (8369 are unnamed). This was a very peaceful, clean and well respected place with a very informative visitors centre.

We gathered for a Memorial Service of prayer and remembrance where we said the De Profundis prayer for the dead, a decade of the Rosary, and listened to the words of the two poems, 'A Prayer For You' and 'In Flanders Fields'.

As we approached the visitor centre (and also inside it) we listened to a recording of a child's voice reading names of those known soldiers who had died with their picture on a screen inside the centre also ensuring that those that made the ultimate sacrifice were not forgotten.

Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial

Later we visiting Hill 62 which is a farm turned into a museum where on their land was a section of British trenches dug inside woodland where injured troops were taken to receive medical attention.

The British named the wood 'Sanctuary Wood' although there were many craters around this preserved section of trenchline to suggest that the bombing did not give much respite to those taking refuge there. The rain gathering in sections of these trenches gave only a glimpse of conditions which was visibly not favourable for any length of stay for troops.

Several columns of stacked empty shells were on the grounds and the museum (a converted house) was stacked top to bottom with artefacts, weapons, empty munitions, and images of the horrors of this war especially around the Ypres Salient. One such horror was the use of chemical warfare and the different poisonous gases used on those on the battlefield with gruesome photographs showing the damage to human life this does. To think that such gas is still used today in Syria is just a sad reminder of the barbarity of humankind.

The final letters we were read were from Cecil's mother and Cecil's commanding officer. A very sad point of our trip where after Cecil had been listed as missing, and following a mothers appeal, it was confirmed that Cecil had indeed lost his life in battle. His commanding officer replied to Cecil's mother regarding Cecil's fate, and wrote,

"I had no idea your son was so young but it may be of some consolation to you to know that he died fighting like a man and a soldier".

Back in town, Saint Martin's Cathedral, for all its current splendour, had not escaped the ravages of war having been heavily damaged in World War One and an image in the Cathedral showed the damage with a troop of soldiers marching past. We did have an unanswered question though: Why is there a doorway halfway up the side of the Cathedral? (middle picture)

At the end of the day we assembled at the Menin Gate to observe the Last Post which had been played every evening since 1928 and was the 30691st time the ceremony took place.

The packed crowd were silent throughout and we were asked to go home and remember those that gave their todays for our tomorrows. The culmination of the trip was to look amongst the many regiments and the thousands of names written in stone throughout the Menin Gate. Amongst those names at the very bottom of the list of soldiers killed from the Essex Yeomanry, was a young Private by the name of C. H. C. Cattell.

Listed soldiers of the Essex Yeomanry with added emphasis.

Cecil was killed in a charge near Potijze, Ypres on 13th [14th] May 1915, aged just 16.
May he rest in peace and may we be forever grateful for the sacrifices of those millions who died for us in the Great War so that their todays allowed us to have our tomorrows.

BCCS Walk 2017

On Saturday 1st July, we are holding the annual sponsored seafront walk for the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society or BCCS for short.

We will be walking from St Helens in Westcliff to St George's in Shoeburyness following 10am Mass at St Helens, and Father Joseph will be walking with us once again.

To read about last years walk, please visit our previous blog write up at:

http://ksc192.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/walking-walk.html

Some of the walkers at the finish in 2016

If you would like to take part in the walk, cheer us on, or even sponsor us, then please contact Damian by email (damian.dillon@btinternet.com) and both the registration form for the walk and the sponsorship form can be emailed accordingly.

Damian's son helped to record the following short promotional video which is 1 minute 37 seconds long and can be viewed below:

If you wanted to donate some money towards the event no matter the size, and in particular if you wanted to sponsor Father Joseph then you are welcome to use this online sponsor page which is safe and secure, and all monies will go direct to the BCCS with no deductions. Every penny helps. You can also gift aid also through this online sponsor page hosted by BT.

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ksc192-2017 

Thank you and a write up of this years walk will be added here in July after the event.

St Patricks Celebration in Southend

When Southend-on-Sea became Irish... (for one night at least)!

A packed hall

We came together to celebrate Saint Patricks Day albeit a day late to accommodate a weekend, and to put on a evening to bring some cheer to the local area during this season of Lent.

First off the cuff, we had Father Jeff behind the bar serving drinks. Father Jeff serving the drinks! We told him to leave it alone but he is like the Duracell bunny who doesn't stop working even when he is not meant to be. And who are we to argue with our Chaplain?

Lots of dancing

What an evening we had. Bruno and Audrey took charge having set about decorating the hall the night before and making sure their idea was the best it could be. The couple had sold over seventy tickets between them.

We had Irish Stew on the stove, we had potatoes in the oven, we had Guinness at the bar, we had an Irish sing song with John Puddick and we had the McGowan Lee Irish dancers entertain us most wonderfully.

John Puddick whipping the crowd into shape

There was couples dancing too and to cap it all we did amazingly well with the raffle.

Over 140 parishioners from across the five different parishes in the area supported the evening and with financial assistance with the bar from some very nice people we were able to offer drinks complimentary; naturally we ran out of alcohol before the evening finished!

Above: a short video of the McGowan Lee Irish dancers performing

We raised over £1300 for our causes throughout the evening with the money to go to the parish of Saint Peter, Eastwood; where we held the function, for Missio of whom we are supporting nationally, for the Diocesan fund for the training of new priests, to help our own operating costs and for Nazareth House, Westcliff-on-Sea. It does help however, to have a few of our members of Irish heritage to add a bit of flavour and personal touches to the evening.

A big thank you to all who supported and helped with this event of ours.