Guildford & District Knights of St Columba - Council 551

13/06/2026

Guildford & District Knights of St Columba
FROM THE FRONT LINE TO THE HIGH STREET
A powerful double bill draws a strong local crowd

More than 30 attendees gathered last week at St Dunstan’s RC Church, Woking, for an evening that blended frontline military insight with frontline community care.

Hosted by the Guildford & District Knights of St Columba, the event proved both engaging and highly interactive, with audience questions, laughter and thoughtful discussion throughout.

Colonel Graham Jones (Retd) opened the night with Confessions of an Army Officer, offering sharp, often humorous reflections on leadership, pressure, and the human realities of military life. His stories sparked lively conversation and set a warm tone for the evening.

The focus then shifted to Woking’s night time streets as Mark Potter shared the vital, compassionate work of Woking Street Angels. His talk drew strong engagement from the audience, who were keen to understand the challenges faced by volunteers supporting vulnerable people late at night.

Thanks to the generosity of those who attended, funds were raised to support Woking Street Angels’ ongoing work in the town centre.

The Guildford & District Knights of St Columba extend heartfelt thanks to both speakers for their time, insight and service and to everyone who came, listened, asked questions and helped make the evening a success.

06/05/2026

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24/04/2026

FROM THE FRONT LINE TO THE HIGH STREET
Two powerful stories of service come to Woking

Residents across Surrey are being invited to a compelling event in Woking this June, bringing together frontline military experience and frontline community care - all in support of a vital local charity, Woking Street Angels.

Hosted by the Guildford & District Knights of St Columba, the event takes place on Wednesday 10 June 2026 (7pm-8.15pm) at St Dunstan’s RC Church, Woking GU22 7DT and offers two high quality talks for just £5.
From battlefield decisions to human stories

The evening opens with Colonel Graham Jones (Retd), Late REME, presenting “Confessions of an Army Officer.”

Drawing on decades of service, Colonel Jones shares first hand accounts of leadership under pressure, life close to the front line, and the realities behind military command. His stories are not only informative but often unexpectedly humorous and deeply human, shaped by both professional experience and personal faith.

The night time mission on Woking’s streets

The second talk shifts focus much closer to home but no less urgent.

Mark Potter of Woking Street Angels will reveal the quiet, essential work taking place on the streets of Woking late at night, when most people are safely at home.

Woking Street Angels is part of a nationwide Christian network responding to the growing challenges of the night time economy. Their volunteers head out in teams on weekend evenings, offering:

- Practical help - from flip flops for those struggling in high heels to water, blankets and basic first aid
- A calming presence in situations where tensions are rising
- Support for vulnerable individuals, including those who are intoxicated, distressed or at risk
- Safe listening and reassurance for people who simply need someone to help them get home safely

Working closely with local police, ambulance services and door staff, Street Angels often act as a bridge between emergency services and the public, preventing situations from escalating and reducing pressure on frontline services.

What makes their work distinctive is not just what they do, but how they do it - quietly, compassionately and without judgement.

An evening with real impact

This is more than a pair of interesting talks. It is a chance to hear two very different but deeply connected forms of service - one shaped in conflict overseas, the other lived out week after week on the streets of a Surrey town.

With tickets priced at just £5 per person, the event is deliberately accessible and proceeds will go directly to support Woking Street Angels. Advance booking is at http://www.ticketsource.com (search 'Woking'): https://www.ticketsource.com/guildford-district-knights-of-st-columba

In a world where much good work goes unseen, this event offers a rare opportunity to hear, understand and support it.

All are warmly welcome.

01/03/2026

Guildford Knights of Columba celebrate winners of Bible Quiz

The Guildford and District Knights of Columba, a Roman Catholic fraternal organisation dedicated to service, charity and supporting parish life, are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Guildford & District Knights of St Columba Bible Quiz.

Two pupils from Woking, Maja and Antoni, achieved the highest scores in the inaugural competition, demonstrating exceptional knowledge and a confident command of Scripture. Both received warm praise from organisers and fellow contestants for their outstanding performance.

A special prize was awarded to mark their achievement.

The Knights of Columba extend their warmest congratulations to the winners on this remarkable accomplishment and commend all participants for their enthusiasm, dedication and love of Scripture.

To find out more about our Bible quizzes for school children, kindly email [email protected] for further information.

The Guildford and District Knights of St Columba welcomes new members from a 15 mile radius of Guildford - please get in touch to find out more: https://www.cpg.church/knights-of-st-columba.html

20/11/2025

Many thanks to Monsignor Tony Barry for celebrating Mass for the Guildford Knights of St Columba this week at St Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Guildford. The Mass was for Deceased Brothers of the Knights of St Columba.

11/11/2025

Today's Armistice Day service in Knaphill High Street was a wonderful service with Brother David Moss laying the wreath on behalf of the Guildford and District Knights of St Columba. Traffic came to a standstill and the bugle played followed by prayers and then an Our Father. A fitting tribute indeed.

22/10/2025

16/10/2025

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23/09/2025

Public talk:- CAFOD: When the Catholic Church Becomes a Lifeline: Faith in the Heart of Disaster Zones
St Pius X Catholic Church, Surrey, GU1 2TS – Saturday 22nd November 2025, 10:30AM
The Guildford & District Knights of St Columba invite the public to a powerful Jubilee Year talk with Jo Kitterick, Director of Supporter & Community Engagement at CAFOD, the Catholic international development charity. This illustrated talk, running from 10:30am to 12 noon at the public meeting hall next to St Pius X RC Church, Guildford, will explore the Catholic Church’s vital role on the frontlines of conflict, climate change and humanitarian disaster, showing how parishes and individuals can respond through prayer, action, advocacy and campaigning.

In this Jubilee Year of renewal and justice, learn about CAFOD’s emergency response in war zones and disaster stricken regions, the Church’s work on climate justice and global inequality and the importance of the “Cancel the Debt” campaign. Tickets: £5 per person – book in advance at www.ticketsource.co.uk (search CAFOD). Funds raised support CAFOD’s work and free parking is available at and near the venue.