Croydon Catenians Circle 60

Each circle has a President, usually elected annually, supported by a Vice President.

President  –  Roy Easthope

I have been a member of Croydon Catenians for 15 years, serving as Secretary between 2019 and 2022. Whilst living in Croydon for the last 33 years,  my teenage years were spent in Norwich, a place still close to my heart alongside many hours spent following the Canaries (Norwich City FC, for the uninitiated).  I met Lorna, my wife, 41 years ago and we are now rewarded through watching our 2 children build their own lives and careers and thoroughly enjoying ourselves in the art of grand parenthood.

Now retired, my professional life was spent mainly in sales and retail culminating in successfully launching and running my own kitchen transformation business.  Lorna has also retired from her career as a teacher and we are looking forward to spending a lot more time together and to start ticking off a number of locations and experiences on the travel bucket list.

Catenian life has been extremely rewarding. We have met a lot of fascinating people and made some great friends. As in many things in life the more you put in ………………..!

To anybody showing a smidgen of interest in the Circle & Association I can only urge you to give it a try, you’re likely to be very pleasantly surprised!

I have been a parishioner of Our Lady of Reparation (St Mary’s – West Croydon) for over 50 years, and my family have been attending services at this parish for over 31 years.

My wife Amala and I are also members of the Parish Charismatic Renewal Prayer Group.

My profession as a chartered civil and structural engineer, and fire engineering specialist has been in the energy industries over the last 40 years involved in conceptual designs, detailed engineering, construction and installation of oil and gas installations all over the world.  I have recently retired from the UK Health and Safety Executive after 30 years service providing regulatory approvals, undertaking enforcement activities, accidents investigations, and through research projects for development of worldwide industry codes and standards.

Amala and I have three adult sons currently working in the UK, in Chartered Accountancy; Nuclear Engineering and Banking.

We have several shared family hobbies and travelling features extensively in our interests.  My personal interests will continue in developing codes and standards in fire engineering and transfer of knowledge between industries.

Chamberlain – Stahl Fernandes

Born and raised in the vibrant state of Goa, India, I was fortunate to grow up amidst breathtaking beaches and picturesque hills. The tranquillity of my childhood instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and its wonders. From an early age, I learned invaluable life lessons from my parents and community, who emphasized the power of positivity, resilience, and a proactive approach to life.

Spending my formative years on an estate in Goa, I developed a passion for properties and a keen eye for management. Overseeing the upkeep of the house, gardens, and fruit trees sparked my interest in real estate, setting the foundation for my career. I later moved to Bombay, where I worked in property sales, lettings, and management. A decade ago, I relocated to the UK, transitioning into property management, where I focus on operations, maintenance, and tenant satisfaction. With expertise in lettings, sales, compliance, budgeting, and contract negotiation, I thrive on challenges and am committed to excellence in real estate.

In July 2024, I was honoured to be enrolled into the Catenian Brotherhood, sponsored by Gerry Gallen and Noel Brownsell.

For the past eight years, my wife Eva and I have felt deeply connected to Croydon. We are active members of St. Dominic’s Church in Waddon, where we attend Mass and participate in various parish activities and volunteer opportunities.

I currently work at Martin & Co estate agents in South Croydon, which has allowed me to build strong relationships within the community. In my free time, I enjoy walks in local parks and woodlands, watching movies at home and at the cinema, and exploring new restaurants—being a foodie at heart, I’m always open to different cuisines.

I’m also passionate about technology, with a deep interest in mobiles, computers, and gadgets. Keeping up with the latest advancements excites me, especially when I can explore how IT innovations enhance our daily lives and connectivity.

Above all, I love meeting new people and helping others. I look forward to building lasting friendships and contributing to the Catenian Association in a meaningful way.

Registrar – Peter McGuigan

I was introduced to our Circle by Brother Terry Braim and was enrolled in August of last year.  My sponsors were Terry Braim, Frank Delicata and an ex colleague and friend from my teaching days, Jim Shields of Epsom Circle.

I trained at St Mary’s Strawberry Hill and began my teaching career in 1975. I taught Physics, ICT and Mathematics in Battersea, Kingston and Hammersmith.

I married my wife Mary Ann in 1977 at St Mary Magdalen’s in Wandsworth and moved into the borough of Croydon – initially to the parish of St Chad’s South Norwood, and then to Our Lady of the Annunciation in Addiscombe.

Mary Ann and I have been blessed with two children – Ann Marie and Paul – who are now well settled in their chosen careers.

Both Mary Ann and I are now retired from full time work and are currently involved in the life of Our Lady of the Annunciation. We are both members of the Parish Pastoral Council, amongst other things.  Joining the Croydon Circle has added to both of us an extra dimension to our social lives, and we’re now looking forward to developing new associations and friendships in the future.

I was born in Colchester, Essex in August 1952 and adopted at three weeks by Hilda and William Pyatt and lived with them in Redhill Surrey, receiving baptism and confirmation in the Presbyterian Church of St Paul’s, Redhill .  I was an officer for six years in the Boys’ Brigade which was based at that Church.

In October 1970 I joined the Civil Service as a clerical assistant in the Inland Revenue and finally escaped into retirement 47 years later as a Debt Recovery Officer based in Dingwall Road, Croydon .  It was a very varied and interesting career which took me to many different parts of South London and Surrey, to mansions and to squalid hovels, meeting some wonderful inspiring dedicated people and also those who bring out the worst in humanity, but all part of a rich pattern, and I hope I was able to do my best for both my country and for myself .

I met my wife Gerry whilst working in an office in Norbury.   She was trying to run me down with a tea trolley! and we married in 1979 and are blessed with four children My eldest daughter lives with her husband in Melbourne, Australia and has two boys.  Another son has a daughter and  lives near Ipswich.  My other son live near Maidstone, Kent and has a boy and two girls.  My youngest daughter lives in Forestdale and has a boy and a girl.  So I am able, with modern technology, to keep in touch with them all but, by heck,  Christmas is expensive !!!

As regards my Catenian life, this started when in 1997 we moved to Selsdon and attended St Columba’s Parish and Brother Noel Brownsell asked me to join Croydon Circle. I accepted his offer and enrolled in February 2002 (with Brother Paul Nattrass)

I can only say, this was one of the best choices I have made, as the fellowship friendship and depth of faith I have received from The Association over these past twenty years, through both the good and difficult times, has given me a great strength and support.

I have had the privilege of being able to serve our Circle as firstly Charity Officer then Registrar and then twice as Vice President and President.

I now have the honour of representing Croydon Circle as their Provincial Councillor. This role requires me to attend Provincial Council meetings and report back to our Circle any issues of policy that are mooted.  In April I will complete my first three year term (I hope to serve for another three years before retiring to the back benches to snooze !)

Not content with being active at Croydon I have the honour, with Brother Noel Brownsell, of being one of the few founder Brothers of Balham Circle (350), so I get a double dose of meetings and visits every month.

I can only reiterate that I am proudly Catholic, proudly Catenian and proud of my Circles and of the Brothers I share fellowship with.

All the above officers attend Council meetings, which are usually held once a month.  It is during these meetings that  our Circle’s functions are planned, and policy decisions are determined.