20 Minute club

Nonie Heal discovers some of the many thrilling activities that the 20 Minute Club get up to

Who?

The 20 minute society.

20 minutes? Someone’s out of practice…

You’re funny. It’s actually one of the most unique societies going; set up four years ago, it won ‘Best New Society’ in its first year and has tallied up an impressive 180 members.

This is all rather intriguing – but I still have no idea what these people actually get up to in such a short space of time…

20 minutes isn’t the time they spend together – it’s the time they have to get to whatever the surprise activity is that they’re participating in. Greyhound racing, graffiti, trips abroad….

I’ve never heard of anything like it.

No, you haven’t – only Newcastle and Edinburgh have societies like it. However, just because you haven’t opened your eyes and ears to the fun to be had round here, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself….

How kind. So how do I get involved?

Well all you need to do is sign up online (it’s only £5). Then when something’s happening, you’ll get a text 20 minutes beforehand telling you where to be – but not what’s going on. Obviously some things take a bit more preparation (everyone one was mysteriously told to buy white t-shirts prior to graffiti day), and emails are sent round enquiring as to people’s availability.

Anything else?

Clearly it’s a lot of fun. Some pretty good drinking gets done and unlike most, if not all, other societies, it’s not based on a hobby or a course – nothing is required of you except a penchant for having a great time.

I heard you can have too much of a good thing…?

Well no – not unless you call surprise trips to Barcelona for £55 (the price for all the trips abroad – four days and three nights) heading into dangerous waters. Having said that, one girl did have an interesting encounter with the Spanish police that time…

Which ended in…?

Oh she’s fine – nothing bad has ever happened. It’s all in good spirit – just like the Christmas related activity coming up (details cannot, obviously, be imparted). Check in and get involved. You never know where you might end up…