60 of the Wells City Harriers gathered together last Friday (25 November) for the Club’s Annual pre-Christmas Dinner and the night was a great success in more ways than one. Members were drawn from all the different training and competing groups of the Club – juniors through to veterans and volunteers; Monday through to Sunday training groups; partners from Yeovil Olympiads as well as Harrier members recently joined from the ‘Up & Running’ group or from a lifetime of membership (35 years and counting!). (Photos by Chris & Paul)
Club Chairman Graham Goldsmid welcomed everyone to the gathering at The Apple Tree Inn, West Pennard, and we were well looked after by the staff of the Inn whilst enjoying a lovely two course meal.
The annual ballot for the Club’s allocated London Marathon places took place with eight member’s names in the hat, and three places available – including one from our partner Club, Yeovil Olympiads. The successful recipients were: Melissa Aspinall; Stewart Cursley and Simon Carr - all of whom had been unsuccessful in the draw last year. Our commiserations go to the other 5 members. We wish Mel, Stewart & Simon all the best with their training and hope that they will draw on the wisdom and endeavour of their team-mates to help them complete their training programmes before the big day on 23rd April 2017.
We also had the annual awarding of the ‘Bog seat’ to the Club member who had done the most ridiculous/foolish thing during the year. Last year’s recipient, Kieran Young, had opted not to attend in an effort to avoid being nominated again; whilst a few others were also keeping their heads down. Based on the usual clapometer of success, Deputy Chairman Simon Prior managed to pip new coach Duncan Verel for the award this year. Well done Simon! (Funnily enough of course, in conversation with a few others, more tales of outright stupidity have subsequently been unearthed but alas they are too late for this year’s nominations – next year perhaps?).
Andy Piper also brought along one of the very original Club vests from 35 years ago with the diagonal stripe when he was a mere 15 year old - he promised to wear it again at the Brent Knoll race on Sunday (and he did! see separate report).
The evening was nicely rounded off by yet another excellent Quiz set by the Grand master Richard Morgan, ably assisted by his wife. Shirley-Anne. The tension for some of the rounds was unbeatable as those who had slightly too much to drink trawled through their memory cells whilst others demonstrated amazing recall of obscure facts. Coming from the back of the pack, very appropriately, were the squad of ‘Up & Running’ to claim their winner’s prizes!
The Committee’s thanks to Mike Rusca who co-ordinated everything and to all who took part – get rehearsing your bog seat nominations for next year; and try and develop an encyclopaedic knowledge, or just bribe Richard.
NEXT SOCIAL EVENT: TUESDAY 20th December – Annual Christmas Parlauf at the track 6.30pm (paired runners taking it in turn to cover as much distance as possible in 30 minutes effort) – pairs allocated/drawn on the night to match up one stronger runner with one weaker runner; and then tactics come into it! This is an event suitable for all abilities.
Followed by the Christmas curry at the Street Inn, 8.30pm, co-ordinated by Rex & Hannah Whitcombe. (cost £7 for adult & £5 for junior). Book by Wednesday 14th December at Street 5k race. E-mail
Chicken Tikka Masalawith rice, chutney, naan and poppadum
or
Pumpkin, cranberry and red onion tagine with mushroom and spinach couscous or rice
