History of Council 163
On 9th February 2002 Council celebrated its 75th anniversary
at Our Lady and St.Joseph in Hanwell.
The actual day the Council was formed was on 18th January 1927.
A commemorative Mass was held in the parish at 7:00pm.
In 1927 Hanwell Council was known as Elthorne. At that time Hanwell was synonymous with the Lunatic asylum in the area, and belonging to Hanwell inferred "belonging to" or "being sent to" the same establishment.
A Viaduct Bridge was constructed soon afterwards, it run through the local park and supported rail links between London and the West. Completion of this landmark meant the formation of a new community and the adoption of Hanwell as the Council name.
Whilst the Charter Council was growing in membership meetings were shared with Greenford Council which eventually erected its own Council.
During our long history we have elected twenty nine Grand Knights. Our honours roll (see Past Grand Knights) is a chronological listing of when each Brother headed our Council.
We currently have thirty three Brothers on our register including Bro. Joe Ryan who was Golden Jubilarian medal. We are also proud to include on our Council Brother Denis Hayes who has completed forty years service and was presented with a long service certificate by Bro Tony Britten (the Supreme Grand Knight) at this year's annual dinner dance. Bro Denis has served as Grand Knight on three occasions and is currently the Council Chancellor.
Bro Denis has a long list of
achievements. He was awarded the Order Meritorious medal for raising large
sums of money towards a
Guide dog for the blind, suitably named "Columba". He has
also organised fundraising events towards Cancer research, and Council has
adopted the Marie Curie Cancer Care for regular annual sponsored events.
FUND RAISING
The Knights at Hanwell are proud of a long history of fund raising for a number of good causes, often centered around St.David's Home, originally an ex-servicemen's residential home. Most events often involve local community who will take out collection boxes in the area.
Amongst other good causes, Council 163 fund raised for the Samaritans which man the Ealing help centre by volunteers round the clock.
Another prominent good cause adopted by Council is the Meadow House Hospice, which is situated in the ground of Ealing Hospital and provides respite care for patients. A recent donatation to the hospice was in the form of a cheque towards specialist staff training.
The current project for 2002/2003 has been adopted by Province 30. This is a worthy initiative to help the REDCAPS for Lourdes. Young and not-so-young helpers that accompany the Westminister Diocese's pilgrimage pushing wheelchairs and to act as ushers plus generally looking after pilgrims who otherwise would not be able to get about in Lourdes.
This Council is also helping fund the building of two classrooms at our local primary Catholic school.
The 2003/2004 Provincial project (Catholic Education) has been also adopted by this Council and is currently going very strongly.