5th January 2006

ONE YEAR ON!!

Happy New Year from Barnes Runners……and Happy Birthday to us!

Barnes Runners is one year old on January 18th. Twelve months ago on that day a dozen or so runners braved the cold to turn up at Barnes Rugby Club for the first meeting of our club. Since then we've made front page news in Prospect, had several social events, held our own quiz night, taken part in the Barnes Fair parade and White Hart Lane Christmas shopping night - and, of course, been running around Barnes and Richmond Park.

On Boxing Day around 20 of us, including one runner on four legs, met at Barnes Pond for a short run along the towpath and through the village before adjourning to the Sun Inn for mince pies and mulled wine. Hopefully this will become an annual event, so start training now - experts say it's wise to build up your mulled wine threshold before the big day!

Photographs of some of our athletic and slightly less than athletic endeavours are on our website, www.barnesrunners.co.uk.

We now have 40+ paid-up members and are having just affiliated to the Surrey County Athletics Association, the South of England Athletic Association and the Amateur Athletic Association of England! This gives us insurance cover and cheaper entry to races.

Our first anniversary is approaching as quickly as Jim and Brent in a sprint finish!!!! We would like you to do join us on Friday 24th February for an evening of testing our cerebral functions – YES another Quiz. As Ian Stroud commented ‘it does give structure to the drinking!’ The evening will also have hot food. For those who weren't at the last one, or can't remember how much fun it was, there's a report on the website. Friends, partners, family, boffins and quiz anoraks all welcome.

The Club House

June consistently supports the club, whilst not asking a penny from us. We are keen to show her that her generosity has not gone unnoticed and as such we would like to give her a present of a half a day at a health farm. The cost of this is £135, so I will be coming around with a begging bowl to raise funds. Any donations would be gratefully received.

KIT

Anyone who has run with Barnes Runners knows we're a stylish bunch and thanks to Suzi Hall we have a great logo. A few of us have been thinking of going one step further and getting some running tops to advertise our club. We need to know demand before ordering them - if you're interested e-mail barnesrunners@gmail.com.