Horsham Joggers celebrate 30th anniversary in fine style

This was followed by an afternoon and evening at Roffey Park Institute featuring swimming, tea and cake, fun and games for children and adults, a mini quiz, then a barbecue dinner and live entertainment from local six-piece band Strobe.

Around 160 members and their families attended the event, with five guests from T G Lage, the German athletic club from Horsham’s twin town, with which the Joggers have had a long and fruitful association.

In his speech after the evening dinner, chairman Tony Johnson said: “Despite having evolved and grown to around 400 members since its official formation in 1984, Horsham Joggers remains true to its original principles, continuing to be friendly and supportive towards all runners, whatever their abilities.

“This is, of course, entirely down to you, our members: your approach and attitude make the club what it is today.

“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to play a small part in the story of Horsham Joggers as chairman of such a terrific club.”

Tony offered thanks to the anniversary committee, headed by Catherine Corck and including Sue Binks, Fiona Clifton, Tony Frankland, Julia Johnson, Dave Maurice, Victoria Saunders and Mark Smee, for their hard work in making the day such a success, and he presented a commemorative gift to Joerg Winter, leader of the group from T G Lage.

Joerg replied with a speech reflecting on the past visits of runners from one club to the other, and the memorable events which they have shared in the past, including international relay runs such as the Lage to Horsham relay of 2005 in celebration of 21 years of twinning.

Joerg also presented Tony with an engraved shield celebrating the friendship between the two clubs. Joggers’ longest-serving active member, Eileen Quinton (84 years old and still running strongly) then cut the magnificent 30th anniversary celebration cake.

The 5k Tilgate Parkrun saw Neil Boniface put in another stunning performance to break his own club-record by an amazing seven seconds.

Full report on the Tilgate Parkrun in this week’s West Sussex County Times newspaper.