The picnic event started when our children were small and we wanted to have a party, but they couldn't stay up late and we couldn't afford it - so we invited all our friends to a picnic instead.  That was over thirty five years ago and it has snowballed. 2009 was the twenty-eighth year since we officially started inviting "anybody".  each year we send out invites to our Christmas Card List and anyone foolish enough to leave their address in the Picnic Guest Book - and then wait to see who arrives.    The basic RULES OF THE PICNIC are set out that the bottom of this page. Immediately below is a bit about the event and then a listing of who attended the last one - and some pictures.

THE ANNUAL PICNIC 2010

Please join us at midday on
 RUNNYMEDE
SUNDAY 6th JUNE 2010

2009 REPORT......

The weather was warm and initially a bit cloudy - but ended up being glorious for the 2009 picnic in August.  Sixty one of us descended on Runnymede, accompanied by three dogs, one toy moose and eight gazebos.

The Radio London contingent, Chris, Mary, Dave & Pauline, decorated their pirate gazebo with Jolly Rogers, and Pauline wore her pirate T shirt. They bought Micky, Jenny, Dave, Beverley, Penny, George and the two Alans - a fearsome pirate crew. Moosie came along as well.   Jackie Lynton brought Vanessa and Colin Pattenden brought Jacky,  Mel came along without Ray (who was at the British Surfing Championships in Cornwall) - but she brought Kiara and Tamara and Poppy the dog; and Chrissy White trundled round from Wraysbury to see us all - making up the Rock'n'Roll contingent.   North Herts was represented by Eric, Chris, Victoria, Mike, Dannii, Ben, Heather & Sue (well Sue is Cambridgeshire really, but she used to be Hertfordshire).   Jenn came with Bex, Shimmy and the kids who had come all the way from Lanzarotte.  They also brought Wina & Jerry, who had to leave early to get home to Devon. June and Peter brought Peter's brother Paul - who lives in Belgium when he's not picnicking with us.  It was great to see Rich & Anja again, and to meet baby Eleanor (who's not such a baby anymore).  Emma made Dan come even though he was supposed to be studying - he brought his homework with him !  John & Lesley came along, as did Mike and Anne.   It was good to see Paul & Alison again, they brought their son Edward (my how you've grown!)  Ben and Natalie arrived in leathers on their big green motor bike.  David and Eileen brought two dogs, their own Ruby and a neighbours dog named Tosca.  Dave & Ann-Marie came along with Dave & Debbie - and, of course, Fran and Roger were there too.

THE ANNUAL PICNIC RULES

This is a summer gathering - so be prepared for the British weather!  The venue used to change each year, but we now seem to have settled on Runnymede because it is easy to access, has parking (Pay & Display about £6) , toilets (free) , a little shop, nice scenery and a long wet bit called The River Thames.  We choose a date; tell people; and then wait to see who turns up.    The rules are very simple:

1.    Anybody can come - and they can bring anyone else they like.  Dogs, Grannies, and babies. We even had someone bring their dentist once !  To find us LOOK FOR THE PINK PIG (see below)

2.    Bring a picnic.  The selection is up to you. Some people are happy with a cheese sandwich, some like smoked salmon and champagne with a white tablecloth.  Recent years have seen a proliferation of gazebos and one year we even had one group who brought flowers in a vase to put on their table.  A word of warning - barbecues are not allowed at Runnymede.

3.    Be prepared for participating or watching - some people bring toys and games. Among the more unusual things people have brought in the past are a boat, a unicycle and flaming torches to juggle with !.  Inevitably someone brings a ball, but if you're not the sporty type, then there is always a bunch of people who "go for a walk"; and if you're like me then you'll want to stay with the gang who just lay on the grass and slowly get alcohol poisoning.

4.    Be sociable.  We don't mean friendly - although that's a useful behaviour too.  We mean have respect for other peoples space.  Runnymede Park has local byelaws which constrain - among other things - the playing of loud music and the lighting of fires.  Sadly this means a ban on barbecues - so your picnic will probably have to be cold.  Finally a word about poo. Although the Royal Park doesn't seem to mind the geese dumping huge poo's everywhere, they prefer not to allow dogs to do it - so if you bring a canine buddy, please clear up after it.

5.    Floating.  This site is right beside the River Thames and sometimes people bring their boats (ranging from floating gin palaces to inflatable canoes). This can be marvellous fun for the kids and most boats carry life jackets, but if in any doubt about whether your babies float,  bring some inflatable armbands or similar insurance !

6.    Sign the guestbook not mandatory, but it will ensure that you'll get invited again next year - and its helps the body count !