What the members say about Network:

absolutely wonderful meal - whole evening absolutely brilliant - thoroughly enjoyed myself!"

"It was good fun "messing around on the river" - I enjoyed that."

"Thanks for arranging the cultural visits, operas etc. I think they're great."

"Enclosed is my first year's membership fee for Network. Many thanks for all your hard work, I have really enjoyed my time with Network already."

"Wasn't Sunday an absolutely superb day from start to finish!"

"Thanks for a great year with Network! See you soon."

"Thanks again for a fabulous weekend in the Lakes."

"Secondly, although I am not doing much currently, the five years of membership makes me realise just how much "Network" has helped and enriched my life."

"..a short note to say "thank you" for the last two years; although I'll still be an occasional visitor I'm going to miss Network and the friends I've made, a lot."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the activities I took part in, and the company of some lovely people."

"I did enjoy the party on Saturday - I felt a little 'strange' at first, being at a party with so many people I didn't know but I soon felt comfortable. Knowing M..... so well certainly helps me but everyone is so very nice and I really appreciate the 'no pressure' feeling."

Great party!  Thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Thank you.

“We had a lovely meal at Chapters restaurant and the company was good too.”

“I had no idea what to expect, but have been very pleasantly surprised.  The range of activities provided is more extensive than I anticipated and sounds excellent.” 

"Thank you for Tuesday night at The Parveen - I really enjoyed myself.  I did feel nervous at the start but that didn't last long!"

“Joining Network is the best think I have done for a long time especially with your enthusiasm for everyone to have a good time.”

“I forgot to say how much I enjoyed the company on the Clun walk. They were some of the nicest people I have ever met, very friendly and chatty.”

“I really enjoyed the bowling evening and found the atmosphere at my first event very friendly and welcoming. “

PS - Browsers - excellent venue - excellent company - thanks for organising - I enjoyed it very much

"One way or another my life-style has now become very hectic! .... I am so pleased I telephoned you!!"

"I'm so glad to hear that the Network evening was such a success – not surprising really when thinking of the lovely people who are members."

It was lovely to see you and other familiar faces last Tuesday night, I really enjoyed it.  It was a fantastic evening.

What a wonderful time I had on Friday - the best birthday that I can remember! …with 44 of the nicest people in Shropshire as company , the night was brilliant.  See you on Monday?

Network is the best thing to happen to me for a long while - well that and getting my handicap down to 12!!!!!

I am really enjoying being a member of Network, I think the whole thing is a brilliant idea. 

The last 3 months being part of Network have been fantastic!

I thank Network for giving me the confidence to change my life.

Good luck with the continuing success of your enterprise (which both Sue and I appreciated and admired greatly)

Had a fantastic time canoeing yesterday - we laughed till we cried!

I had a lovely time on Sunday. After an inauspicious start [it rained] it turned out to be a really enjoyable day. Everyone was really friendly and I am looking forward to the next event.

I was set to go to the Gym tonight, but I've had to give up on it!  I'm shattered. Oh well, with good reason.  Fantastic weekend, one of the best ever. Very well organised, thankyou.

Thanks Sylvi for a lovely evening last night.  It's amazing how quickly I felt comfortable and at ease with so many new people! Everyone is so friendly.  I would like to become a full member.

I have heard of you before but thankfully your advert on the front page of this week's Admag has prompted me to do something about it this time. I like that Network is not a dating agency and that you get together to socialise and have fun. Just having other people to talk with and have a laugh sounds great to me. I'm really interested in joining as I like doing all sorts of things like walking, cycling, swimming etc well in fact Id have a go at most things but as you know its no fun on your own. Probably like many "single" people I have got a lot of friends but majority of them are happily married so outings with them are very limited.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Network.  The activities were tremendous and I have met some wonderful people.  In fact, I can honestly say that Network gave me the confidence to go out and socialize again.

I joined Network to get out of the house, do interesting things with a great bunch of people and to make new friends, all within a very relaxed and friendly environment. Network is brilliant as it gives me the opportunity to do things I would never consider doing on my own. I love bowling but my friends don't and it's a bit lonely and not much fun bowling on my own! Also going out for a meal is fun and interesting - moving about after each course is a great way to get to know new people and to have a good natter with friends made through Network. I also enjoy walking but again it is quite lonely (if not a bit dangerous) to walk alone. With Network there is a regular crowd that venture out come rain or shine and the walking venues are varied and some quite challenging - some for "softies" and others for the more serious walker. There are regular events that occur every week or fortnight, which you can either do on a regular basis or if time is not always available you can do as and when. There are also one off events which enables you to try something you wouldn't normally think of doing - archery, rock-climbing, microlighting to name but a few. I was a little nervous about attending my first event but I needn't have worried as I was immediately welcomed into the fold and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is such a varied choice of activities / events to choose from that I challenge anyone not to find one thing that they would enjoy to do.

The last year has gone very quickly.  I've had a great time and I'd like to renew my membership.  I'd also like to book both the Shakespeare plays – I was really impressed with the Festival last year.

The walk yesterday was very enjoyable, some of the scenery must have been the best I have seen so far. Without Network I would get to see such beautiful places, thanks for making all of this possible.

Just thought I'd let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed the riding at Acton Burnell last week.  I was lucky enough to ride the delightful Boris and I can completely understand how Julia felt about him.  He is incredibly well-schooled, well-mannered and responsive - he was an absolute delight to ride.  In addition to all this, we had lovely weather and the countryside that we rode through is beautiful.  What a shame that more people weren't able to take advantage of this event.  I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone!

I do feel that I am getting into this now and am really looking forward to tomorrow.... what a difference a few weeks makes!!
I don't know whether anyone else will have commented , but I would just like to let you know that Fiona did a fantastic job hosting and organising the skittles on Friday.

Super evening - it really is good to see some of the "old" faces again, I'm always struck about how I feel easy in Network and how really nice everyone is.

We had a fantastic afternoon, weather brilliant, company entertaining, horses winning (and losing!).  It is a great venue, the public are allowed up to the railings so can see the horses when they pass by.  I won £1.70, after betting about £6 - last of the big spenders! and ..won about £24.  It is a definite activity to repeat - perhaps could have lunch first, or if the weather is good, take a picnic.

Lovely evening on Friday at Country Friends, company and food excellent.

Ok - New member - it was daunting, very strange, never had to join a club to find friends before, so the whole concept is very strange.   Therefore feels strange, makes a confident person nervous.

Helped very much going along to first Network event with another new member - giggled together - exchanged notes together - in short, behaved like two young teenagers out on first dates - got on very well with member, formed friendship, ADVANTAGE - went along to Network events together, therefore always knew if need be, someone else to talk to, usually came home together.  DISADVANTAGE - didn't have to make effort to meet new people, if didn't want to, 'cos came with friend.  

Eventually friend finds 'love of life' and leaves Network.  

YOU are suddenly left, actually not knowing too many people, you never needed to, you had a good friend, not confident that you want to go through whole process again of making friends.   What happens now?   What do you want to happen now?

For me Sylvi and Tony stepped in - at a time when I needed friends who were local and I already liked.   I'd always said when I joined Network, my passion had been walking when I was much younger - and if I had a goal, it would be that I could eventually walk up Snowdon.

Sylvi and Tony encouraged me to go on the hill walks that Tony leads.

In truth this turned my social life around - I managed Snowdon, dinners, usually Ludlow Festival (which is fab, along with other theatre commitments which, lets be honest, you can try any of the established Arts with Network in a safe environment and it's great).

In the middle of 2003 I found myself (sad middle aged man) alone after a 25 year marriage. In the early months following the separation there is always lots to do, I guess, in the re-establishing of oneself – new home, coping with the basic changes and so on. However, life was far from good and as Christmas and New Year approached, it brought me a feeling of dread. That totally lived up to expectation and in the end I spent Christmas Day alone with a tin of tomato soup (I had been supposed to be somewhere else but couldn’t cope with it). I ploughed on through New Year sure that the dawn of 2004 would give me a more positive outlook, but this too proved to be a fallacy and by the 5^th of January found myself at the Doctors simply unable to cope. Declining his kind invitations to happy pills, (“I don’t take those things”), time off work, (“What, sit and stare at four walls?”), and counselling (“What? Talk to social workers? You must be joking?!”), he asked me what else I expected him to be able to do for me. Fair point.

 A couple of weeks later (still wallowing in self pity), an e-mail ‘chat’ friend said she had been passed information about Network Singles (funny name I thought), which she was thinking about joining and wondered if it would be of interest to me. I zapped the hyper link and found myself entering a new and interesting world.

 I hope to find a future. Even today that sometimes seems an impossible dream. The apparently simplest thing – to love someone and be loved in return – seems utterly elusive.  I thought about many things - on-line dating for example - but none of them seemed the way forward for me. . I am desperately shy in many ways – if you knew who wrote this and knew me you might be surprised at that statement but I’m a reasonable actor – so chatting people up in pubs etc. doesn’t happen. Yet here was this interesting world. One which said ‘We are not a dating agency. We are here to give you a social life, the chance to meet people in an unpressured environment’.

 I thought about this for a little while, and decided to give it a try. After an e-mail or two, I sent my trial membership cheque to one Sylvi Greenfield on the 6^th February and signed up for some ten pin bowling at Shrewsbury on the 13^th “A good event for your first one”  said Sylvi. A nice chap called Doug rang during the week to check I knew my way there. All that week I varied between going / not going like a clock pendulum.

 But, at 7pm on the 13^th, there I was, alone, terrified, outside the Shrewsbury bowling.  What can I say?

 It was a disaster. I walked in, almost every muscle in my body rigid, bought a pint and stood as ‘out of the way’ as I could be. A couple of people asked me if I was here for that “Network” thing. I sort of grunted replies. A lovely lady called Toni introduced herself and shoved me together with someone to talk to, and disappeared off to organise things. Well. It was downhill from there, and not necessarily Network's fault, not necessarily mine, and maybe not Shrewsbury Bowling alley, but in combination it worked up to a shambles. The main problem was noise. It seems that inhabitants of Shrewsbury require their bowling to be conducted with 130 decibels of rap music. This makes conversation impossible. Maybe OK if you know half the people there but a disaster if you don’t. No sooner had you said pardon twice than either you or the person making vain attempts to talk to you are off to hurl a bowl down the darkened and deafening alley. I couldn’t wait to escape! At the end I asked someone if that was it? “Oh no” she said “ We go to a nearby pub for a drink”. I followed her and entered the next disaster. To cut a long story short I found myself essentially between two groups who were engaged in their own conversations. I sat in the middle, hopelessly alone, yet in the middle of a group of people, my plight not noticed and apparently incapable of resolving it for myself. I downed my pint and left – no actually, I think I fled for safety, went home and cried (literally).

 That could have been it, but I decided to try again. This time I found myself at the Golden Ball pub in Ironbridge. I remained vaguely terrified and walked in the door where I spotted a face at a table I recognised from the bowling. At that point I lost my nerve and walked straight through the pub, out the other door and retreated to my car! I sat there for ten minutes – starting the engine twice –and argued with myself. Eventually the argument that said “For God’s sake, they won’t eat you” won out and I came back in. This was a little better and I found myself talking to Eileen who was most insistent I should come on her Sunday walk at Cressage. I only stayed at the pub an hour but, whilst I remained like a tensioned spring, it was a little better.

 Sunday 22^nd Feb, and the car park of the Eagle pub in Cressage. I recognise someone. I can even remember their name! Wow! Hi. How are you? Fine…. Cold isn’t it…. Yes but a beautiful day. Progress… Let me introduce you to Sylvi…  (Sylvi had been on holiday the week of my first event). Hi… Nice to meet you…. Have you met….. etc. Walking. Heaven. Lovely day, conversation after conversation, all mixed up as 35 people re-arrange themselves constantly throughout the walk. A quick pint after to placate the landlord and off to Gary’s for tea and cakes. More chat. Give someone a lift back to the pub. See you next time………….

 I had decided that the three events culminating with the walk would be my decision point. Would I sign up (and get my trial fee credited to full membership), or would I forget it? Well it was an easy decision. The walk had made it for me. I could see how this would and could work for me.

 Would it find what I hoped (and hope it might find) for me? Someone to share life with? Well it might and it might not. Who knows, but if I approach it thinking that’s what I’m here for then I don’t think it will work. It’s much more than that and being relaxed and enjoying the events is the key. But so many people have said “X and Y – they met through Network”. So, I’m just happy to be part of it just now, and will see what life brings.

 Since that fateful day I signed up, I’ve been to a skittles night, another bowling night (but Telford doesn’t deafen you!!!), a delicious meal at the George and Dragon, a games night, three walks, seen a lamb being born and watched the red kites. All in four weeks. Four weekends where I might have been staring at the walls of my living room or being Mr Sad on the PC.

 Is Network perfect? Does everything work for me? No, and No, of course.

 What works?  Sylvi does. Very hard. After only a few weeks maybe this is a comment beyond my knowledge, but to me Sylvi and her laid back style, her inclusiveness and her involvement makes it really happen. Not just the hard work and organisation but a commitment that enters the world of belief in what she does. I’m a manager and you can always see it. The people who are committed and those who aren’t, and that commitment makes an incredible difference from pressing the buttons. That works. Network could do more I think to support new members on their first event – buddying for the night maybe. Perhaps much more could be made of the web site too. My thoughts are likely to be thoughts of a new boy though and there are maybe reasons behind some things I don’t yet understand. I haven’t reconciled Network as a whole entity and as the sum of the parts and how it works in my head yet (If anyone can explain what I mean by that let me know. I know what I mean but can’t explain it!)

 From the personal perspective, within five weeks I turned up on a walk and knew all 15 people on it bar one person. That represented a huge personal triumph as I’m awful with names and faces, and also shows how far I’ve come in a tiny period of time. One of Sylvi’s bits of advice is to do as much as possible as quickly as possible. 100% agreed. I would say that if you dip a toe in and then leave it three weeks the next event will be as hard as the first. Get established quickly. I’ve given up trying to learn everything about everyone and try to expand my circle of acquaintances little by little now. I can’t call (in my definition) anyone a friend yet but I’m nurturing some nice starts. I do better on walks and outdoor events in my opinion than the social ones – I find myself on the edge of things too easily in social events and don’t know how to fix that yet.

 Will I stay? Oh yes.

A personal view of Network prepared in 1994 (and just as valid now) by a founder member of Network.


So, what might you expect from 12 months membership of Network? Well, a glance at a programme will give you a good idea but an idea, nonetheless, that may be a little lacking in depth so perhaps we should address the question from a different perspective.

Network began with a couple of dinner parties and, as some of us have scarcely put down our knives and forks since, it may be as well to tell you that anyone joining Network a year ago might, in the intervening months have shovelled away 3/4 cwt of foodstuffs at an assortment of Network dinners, suppers, buffets and barbecues. And, to wash it all down, an educated guess suggests that you might have happily worked your way through 30 litres of red wine.

I don't think that anyone has sought to compute the calorific value of all this - after all, the idea is that we enjoy ourselves and, in any event, remember in 12 months you could have walked or ridden or go-karted no less than 70 miles. Beyond calculation is the amount of energy you might have expended in chasing shuttlecocks though someone did work out that, if you'd attended all of our superbowl sessions, you might have bowled at 960 skittles - and still not have knocked any of them over.

If you see yourself as a raver rather than a rambler, you might care to reflect that at a modest estimate of 3 bops a second, a 3 hour disco session calls for 32,500 dance steps. So you'll make good use of all those calories.

If your hunger is for things cultural, we could have offered you something approaching 50 hours of theatre, music, dance and poetry. At an hour a week that must be a rather better effort than that of the combined forces of the BBC and independent television.

It has been said that to sample everything on offer in our programme, you would probably need the income from two jobs while only working part time and indeed, to have attended every event last year you would have wanted around 300 hours of spare time. But can you think of many better ways of filling 15% of your waking hours?

But of course it is the unquantifiables, the indefinables, the things that are beyond cost or payment, that make the Network experience something so special. It begins, I am quite sure, with the genuine warmth of Sylvi's welcome whenever she opens the door to you or answers your telephone call and this has undoubtedly encouraged the rest of us to become good friends and, in some cases, very good friends.

Whatever you might hope for from your membership I believe that, if you approach it in the right spirit, Network will bring you at least some happiness - and there are not too many things in life of which you can safely have that expectation.