Following the closure of Maidenhead Golf Club in December 2025, Maidenhead Catenians held their Summer Ladies Night at the Tithe Barn at the Old Bell in Hurley.The Tithe Barn is a 16th Century Tudor Barn with original beams and rafters.
Guests were welcomed by President Jacek.
As ever, the raffle proved popular.
On a recent visit to Rhodes,I thought afresh of the importance of the word and the vernacular.
The presence of the Knights Hospitaller of St John is expressed in the architecture of the Old Town of Rhodes. The Knights held Rhodes between 1310 -1522 , when following a successful siege by the Ottomans, they left Rhodes for Malta.
On Rhodes, the Knights were formed into eight groups, known as “Langues” or languages – not being a national but a linguistic grouping . Originally seven – Auvergne, France and Provence; Italy; Germany (covering the Holy Roman Empire and Scandinavia) ;England (including Scotland and Ireland); and Aragon ,with an eight later included to include Castile and Portugal.
In addition to their common bond as Christian Knights, the members of each Langue were further bonded by their Langue.
The Knights have long since left Rhodes but there is still a Catholic presence in Rhodes. As the Knights came from afar, so too do many who attend the two Catholic churches in Rhodes town… and the churches there cater for them.
Greek is the language of Rhodes and the mass is said in Greek. However non- Greeks are catered for by:-
To my great surprise, Confession was also offered in several languages.
The highlight of the Informal Ladies Night was the opportunity to express thanks and to say farewell to Fr. Liam, parish priest of St Edmund Campion’s, Maidenhead and more recently the parish of the Holy Familiy, Maidenhead & Twyford who has been our priest for the last 9 years.
As always when he speaks, Fr Liam both informed and entertained.
President Eddie also took the opportunity to inform,speaking on likely changes for the Catenian Association in the next 10 years. His delivery seemed more constrained than usual.and there were some unusual choice of expressions. Eddie then revealed that his speech had been generated by AI and he then went on to speak of its expected impact.
The evening was well attended.
South Bucks Circle hosted their annual Province wide quiz in March .
Historically, the questions have been hard and Maidenhead has achieved a middling position.
This year, with judicious playing of the Joker, Maidenhead won the Quiz.
The Maidenhead team comprised Eddie & Yvonne, Richard & Marie-Lou, Peter & Hilary.
A group of over 20 Catenians, drawn from Harrow and Chiltern, South Bucks and Maidenhead Circles gathered to enjoy a weekend away in Bournemouth.
Unlike the formal Provincial weekends of former years,there was no set itinerary but all did their own thing, be it a visit to Salisbury or Poole, Wimborne or in Bournemouth itself.
David and Pam met up with Paddington in Salisbury.
In the evening after dinner, there was time to catch up on the day’s events.
Thanks to Peter for organising the weekend.
Maidenhead Catenians celebrated Robbie Burns with a traditional Supper – Cullen skink as starter, haggis with potatoes and winter vegetables main course, followed by raspberry cranachan trifle
At the start of the meal, the Haggis was brought in and Richard Kellaway made the Address to the Haggis, knife in hand.
Speaking after the meal, Alex Temple recalled the life and works of Robert Burns. During this, he recited the opening lines from the poem Tam O’Shanter –
When chapman billies leave the street,
And drouthy neebors, neebors meet,
As market-days are wearing late,
An’ folk begin to tak the gate;
While we sit bousing at the nappy,
And getting fou and unco’ happy,
We think na on the lang Scots miles,
The mosses, waters, slaps and styles,
That lie between us and our hame,
Whare sits our sulky sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
Those present toasted the memory of Robbie Burns – hoping no-one was waiting, nursing their wrath, to see them later.
