Somer Athletics Club recently enjoyed its annual awards evening, but it was also an opportunity for the club to celebrate a belated 40th birthday.

The club began in 1981 when local runner, Bob James, discovered that the Somer Valley had no local running club. To gauge local interest, an advert was placed in the Somerset Guardian; in the end, thirty running enthusiasts met and Somer AC was born. Bob enlisted the support of his then employer, John Eke and Partners. They not only offered their offices for meetings, they became the club’s first sponsor, with a cheque for £50.

The foundations of the club were well established, as Bob worked with the Amateur Athletics Association to affiliate the club to the Southern Counties’ Athletics Association. Early members of the club who helped establish Somer AC, contributing to its long history, include Mike Gregory and family, Paul Francis, the Gilling family, Andy and Linda Manley and the Butler family; all being early stalwarts and participating in many events.

Val James, Bob’s wife, put her sewing skills into creating prototype vests to distinguish the club from others in the West Country – black with a yellow stripe continues to be the distinctive Somer AC design, whilst a competition to design the club’s logo was won by club junior member, Leigh.

Reflecting the professional approach to safety and welfare, several club members became qualified club coaches to support members in developing their road, track and field races. Facilities were secured initially at the old Community Hall (where Sainsbury’s car park is now), Orchard Vale Community Hall, County Primary School and Norton Hill School. Still the case to this day, training nights were Tuesdays and Thursdays, with groups of juniors and adults using the fields and surrounding area. Training excursions took the club to Whitchurch Sports Centre for track and field training and even sand dunes in Wales!

The club held their own race events, with sponsorship from Great Mills, John Eke & Partners and local businesses, with road relays in Ston Easton and fun runs in Midsomer Norton. The mid-1980s saw Somer AC pit themselves against other local clubs such as local gyms, Midsomer Norton Judo and Cricket Clubs in the local Super Team event.

The club also supported local running events, such as the Clutton Fun Run and Southern Counties Track and Field, Time Trials and Cross Country events with races all over the region. Members helped marshal the Bath Half Marathon; a tradition that continues today. Gordon Doubleday from Timsbury was the club’s umpire, officiating at events the club took part in and recognisable from wearing his yellow and black bobble hat!

Fundraising events such as quizzes were common, though one unusual wheeze in the mid-1980s was an invite to Midsomer Norton High Street shoppers to add their pennies to a row on the pavement in an attempt to reach the length (in pennies) of Wells Olympian Mary Rand’s long jump record.

Bob is now nearly 83 years old and has fond memories of the club. He retains Club President status and whilst health issues preclude running, he enjoys life as a retired pensions advisor at his home in Midsomer Norton. Bob was ably supported by the committee, with long established contributors, Sue Stenners and Jean Gibbs only recently retiring.

Somer AC continues to build on those foundations established in the early 1980s, with Adrian and Tracey Holborn subsequently guiding the club for several years and still heavily involved as Treasurer and Secretary, with new Chairman, Jason Nash, helping the club as it navigates the challenges of Covid.

The club continues to meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.15 pm, though now at the Centurion Hotel in Westfield. The same venue played host to their birthday celebrations with awards recognising the contributions of both runners and committee members over the years. They continue to offer support and training to runners of all abilities and ages, from Juniors to Seniors, ensuring the physical and mental welfare of their 150+ members.

Contact them via their Facebook page – they’d love to see you.

Barry Woods