Just a Bit of Fun

It all started with a note from Mike Wade, Quilters’ Headteacher, to the organisers of the Lake Meadows Billericay Junior Parkrun.  “I wondered if you might consider us having a ‘Quilters Takeover Day’.  Just a bit of fun... But I’d encourage all our pupils and parents (and staff) to come.  Do you do these sort of things?”
“This is something that we can arrange” was the quick and helpful response, and a date of July 9 was agreed, a day when they would also be celebrating 75 years of the NHS at all Parkruns in the country.  

A Step too Far

As sponsors of the Quilters RotaKids, our Rotary Club was asked to support the event, which we willingly did.
The  only problem was the intrusive nature of the information requested for registration, even though none of our volunteers were actually running.  Some dropped out completely as a result. 

In the event the Parkrun had more than enough volunteer stewards and only Patrick Rothon registered and was on “official” duty, but other members including Stephen King, Brian Wellman and Peter Greene didn’t register but also attended and helped out on the course despite the rainy weather forecast!

It was an early start, for us at least, assembling for a briefing at 08.30.  This was followed by an exhortational speech by Mike Wade to his assembled pupils, teachers and parents, before we made our ways to our respective positions for a 09.00 start.  (Sadly Mike had a doctor’s note to excuse himself from the run).

The Sun always shines on Quilters

And ... they were off!  From the starting gate on the field near the Hillhouse drive entrance to the park, twice round the lake and then back up the slope to the finish line.  All the time to the encouraging clapping of the volunteer stewards.

They may have been young - and some were very small, but by 09.30 the last of the stragglers gallantly made their way across the finish line.  Very Well Done!

The weather wasn’t as bad as feared - no rain, and the sun even came out at times.  We should have known - the sun always shines on Quilters.

Were the children exhausted?  Not a bit of it!  As we passed the playground at the main entrance to the park, it was crowded out.  So many of them still had excess energy to burn!