The Brunel Run
BRUNEL RUN LOWDOWN
The Brunel Run was held annually by BAMGOC from 1994 until 2016
and was revived in 2022 so some of you may have no idea what it is all
about. I don’t think is was actually called The Brunel Run until 1994 so
there’s no copy of any rally plaque for 1993.
Like many good
ideas, the Brunel
Run was born in a
pub, the initial
brainchild of Danny
Fenton, Simon
Hawkes and George
Barnard. The ethos
of the event has
always been to
enjoy a great run out
in an MG (not
compulsory) and,
hopefully, make a bit
of money toward a
charity along the
way. In 1993 the
princely sum of
£150 was raised. It
is thanks to Brunel
attendees that, in
later years, we have
been able to present
much larger sums.
From 1994 to 2024
the Brunel Run was
a
weekend event and,
from 2007, we were
privileged to use the
premises of the
Bristol
Children's
Help Society at Barton Camp near Winscombe.
After Brunel 2024, the BAMGOC committee held a lengthy
discussion about the possibility of a Brunel Weekend for
2025. We took into account the amount that Barton could
raise by renting out the camp for the weekend and it was
agreed that the Brunel Weekend would actually leave Barton
Camp out of pocket rather than adding to their funds. With
this in mind it was agreed that a day run would be better for
2025 and beyond. This was a reluctant but sensible decision.
Barton Camp, run by the Bristol Children’s Help Society, has
been in operation for nearly 140 years!
It offers residential and outdoor learning experiences for
children whose personal circumstances have significantly
depleted their life opportunities. This could be the result of a
wide variety of situations including disability, poverty,
parental drug or alcohol misuse, their own status (including
being in care or a carer), entering the UK as a refugee,
bereavement or mental health issues.
The aim is to promote aspiration, self-determination and
resilience through a range of outdoor, team building activities
in a rural residential setting. The facilities at Barton are
fantastic, with indoor accommodation and a heated
swimming pool.
All the funds raised go to help with this worthwhile charity
and since 2007 we are proud to have donated around
£28,000 to this worthy cause.
The Brunel Run has always been known for its friendly,
sociable, relaxed atmosphere and we hope to welcome you
at the event in the future.
The Brunel Run 2025 took place on Saturday 6th September.
Pictures can be found HERE
Approx 90 people had a good day out with 75 of them treated to an excellent
afternoon tea.
Our thanks, as usual, go to everyone who came and made the day so
enjoyable.
Thanks, of course, also go to the Brunel Tea Room "staff" and all the other
BAMGOC members who helped.
With a donation from BAMGOC, we raised £1750 for Barton Camp.
BRUNEL RUN 2026
Brunel 2026 was held on Saturday 5th
September 2026. The event started at
The Bridge Inn in Yatton, North
Somerset where many entrants
enjoyed breakfast.
We finished at Barton Camp,
Winscombe where some 65 people sat
down for afternoon cream tea in the
dining room.
Everyone one seemed to have a good
time (except for one couple who had a
breakdown and we feel for them).
Those who have been to Barton Camp
before will know just what a fabulous
venue this is and it gave everyone the
opportunity to see where the money we
raise at Brunel is used.
Our thanks go to those who
supported the raffle, to those who
donated prizes (including MGOC
and Tesco Clevedon) and to those
who donated actual money! (I’m not
going to list those individuals here -
you know who you are so thank
you).
OUR THANKS AS ALWAYS
GO TO ALL MEMBERS WHO
HELPED, CATERED,
WASHED UP ETC ON THE
DAY.
SEE PHOTOS HERE