Committee Meeting Minutes | Clarence Runners

Minutes from Clarence Runners committee meetings are published here. The most recent minutes are shown in full below.

29 April 2026

Clarence Runners Committee Meeting

Present: Nick Whitley, Luke Barnett, Jayne Jackson, Brian Jackson, Alan Blagburn, Amanda Peplow, Debbie Pendlebury, Steve Hamer.

Apologies: Andrea Sidebottom, Sacha Roy.

Note: The term “club” is used in these minutes, but Clarence Runners is not an affiliated running club; it is a social running group.

It was noted that the minutes of the previous meeting should have stated that the 3k distance was to be offered on a trial basis only, not necessarily as a permanent option.

The current bank balance is £1,664.58. Income from grant funding, club merchandise, event ticket sales and the raffle amounted to £2,444.81; expenditure on run leader training, social events and S.K. Kits costs amounted to £780.23.
There is money in the budget to cover replacement of the tarpaulin sign on the park railings and a Clarence Runners-branded feather flag. Nick will pursue design and manufacture options.
It was agreed that new run leaders would be provided with a free T-shirt and first-aid kit, and an allowance would be given to replace the T-shirts of older run leaders. Luke would build the cost into future funding applications.

Luke will look into claiming a grant from the Sport England Movement Fund and hopes to secure £1,500 to cover the cost of training more run leaders.
Luke also advised of a “Meet the Funder” online session on 27 May 2026 that might inform or help advance the application.

The club has recently paid for Debbie H and Damian to train as LiRF-accredited run leaders.
Anna P and Debbie H are both on the verge of recording their run leader training videos.
Several run leaders — Nick, Andrea, Jayne and Brian — will be required to renew their LiRF training this summer. The process includes renewal of mandatory safeguarding units and a new DBS check, with the total cost per person estimated at £20–£36.
Praise and thanks were given to Alan for his weekly organisation of the groups, including support volunteers. Feedback from other groups across Bury is that they are not as organised as Clarence Runners.
Appreciation was also expressed for the enthusiastic support volunteers, who are invaluable in ensuring the club can provide as many different offerings as possible on a Thursday evening. Their presence helps ensure the club’s ethos of inclusivity remains foremost.
Alan has offered to reword the run leaders’ guide as a guide for support volunteers, including the role of the back marker.

Luke reported that the formulaic nature of the Tuesday early morning session continues to work well.
There have been concerns about the 5k occasionally being too fast despite the presence of a dedicated back marker. The question was raised whether this is one of pace or whether regrouping breaks are sufficiently long for slower participants.
The 7k offering has seen varied take-up: some weeks nobody at all, and other weeks as many as 12–14 participants.
The 3k trial has been well received. It was suggested that, as a club, we should encourage 3k runners to try the Sunnywood Burrs 5k run on a Sunday morning.
Alan suggested that, when posting route information, leaders should try to increase engagement by asking a question such as: “Who’s excited to lace their trainers up?”

It was agreed that the club should keep a stock of basic first-aid items to replenish kits as necessary. Carrying a bum bag of first-aid supplies does not mean that person is responsible for administering first aid.

In the last 12 months, the club has seen 2,264 participants cover 14,764km over several route distances from 3k to 10k.

Run leaders are not covered for trail running under their current LiRF training; there is a specific course for this.
The question was asked as to what exactly constitutes a trail, including whether some summer routes over Birtle would be classed as trail.
It was suggested that, in future, it would be good for the club to have at least one person qualified as a trail leader.

Nothing to report. Andrea is happy with how things are going with the current kit provider. Logo-branded caps remain on the wish list for the future.

It was suggested that run leader profile pictures be retaken with everyone wearing the same Clarence Runners logo-branded shirts.
Whilst one of the main purposes of the recently launched Clarence Runners website was to record participants’ I.C.E. details, Luke suggested that having the age and sex data of regular runners would be useful for particular funding applications.

Nick will liaise with the organisers in due course. As in previous years, the club will look to support the event by providing pacers, marshals and a cheer station. Pacers will have entry costs covered by the organisation, and marshals will be able to claim a free entry to a future Run for All event.
It was agreed that we should press ahead with the purchase of a Clarence Runners-branded feather flag for use at local running and community events. The purchase of a branded gazebo for a cheer station is also being considered, depending on price.

It was suggested that the club should approach Kathy Taylor of Keep Bury Clean to see if members could be involved in a group litter pick on Hornby Street.
It was suggested that we encourage as many Clarence Runners as possible to meet up on occasional Sunday mornings to run, marshal or promote the Sunnywood Burrs 5k event.
Justin intends to offer the 5–10k improvers course again this year, beginning Wednesday 8 July and using Totty Lines to promote constant running.