How would a relay sprint team manage if, instead of each athlete running an equal distance, they had to hand over the baton on the random blow of a whistle? Fun would no doubt ensue. Our club members faced just such a challenge with their first topics session of the new season. Allan Heggs put us into two teams to talk about either ‘Shoes’ or ‘The Perfect Dinner Party’.

With only 10 minutes to prepare, we had to decide the order of speaking, what each would say and come up with ideas for interest value and amusement. Then the catch: he would randomly interrupt and whoever was speaking, even if in mid-sentence, had to hand on to the next speaker. Co-operation and quick-thinking were the order of the day. ‘Shoes’ proved the more difficult topic, but an amazing amount of knowledge poured forth from that team, whilst ‘The Perfect Dinner Party’ produced great fantasies about dining at the top of the Shard on New Year’s Eve, with Heston Blumenthal doing the cooking, Celine Dion and Peter Kay providing the entertainment and ‘Brangelina’ as guests sitting amongst us, ready to share a midnight embrace.

We meet 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, September – May, at the Greyhound Inn, Lutterworth, 7.30 – 9.30. Visitors and guests are most welcome. Drop in or call Maggie Barlow on 01455 207774 for more information.