Adderbury Friday Club - going the distance
The Adderbury Friday Club is 10 years old this October. This is a remarkable achievement for an informal club for people working from home.
Founded in Adderbury in 2000 by Nick Fennell and Keith Norton, it consists of an informal group of people who meet for lunch at The Bell on the last Friday of the month. What they have in common is that they all run their own businesses or work from home and they like to meet and chat and share experiences.
Catharine Arakelian recently visited the club, ate a tasty meat pudding with all the trimmings, and asked Nick Fennell for his top tips for a successful club.
Nick, this is a really friendly group - what is the secret of your success?
1.Have a clear objective: we never set out to be a business/networking club – there are enough of them in Banbury already – just an event that homeworkers could look forward to attending once a month, a chance to get away from the workplace and meet like-minded people for a sociable catch-up.
2.Share what we each do for a living: this in turn provides a helpful forum for discussing common challenges and solving problems – the computer, the Revenue, how to win business – but no hard sell
3.Spread the word: introduce new members to keep a rich mixture of people on the database
People who run businesses or who work from home are notoriously hard to reach. How did you find people to come along at the beginning?
Personal contacts, the village mag, the village website (now) Banbury Guardian, BBC radio & TV Oxford – and the big coup, being featured on the BBC Working Lunch programme
What tips would you give anyone else who is thinking of setting up a club like this?
Research who might be in the club – get a core band of people for the initial meet, and progress from there
How important is The Bell as a venue for the Friday Club?
It is a village club – although we do welcome members from elsewhere – and The Bell is very much the focal point of the village. And the beer’s very good
What are you doing to celebrate your 10th Anniversary on 29 October?
Getting a full turn out of current members with a pledge to bring at least one guest – inviting back previous/lapsed members – exploiting the PR opportunity by inviting the press and radio/TV – providing a slap-up buffet lunch – and musical entertainent
How can people join the club?
Ring Nick Fennell on 01295 811059 ( we need to know if you are coming on October 29 for catering purposes)
Nick and Keith - Congratulations on meeting continuously for 10 years!
Tags: Rural economy
