friendsfirst NEWS

Our Membership Manager's baby is born. 26th March 2008

Kay Lane our Membership Manager joined us when she was 4 months pregnant. It was wonderful watching her bump grow and grow. She worked up until the last possible moment and we were thrilled to hear that she delivered a baby girl at home infront of a log fire weighing 7lbs 7ozs on 26th March. They have named her Jessica Poppy and we met her recenty and she is a great delight.

New Membership Manager joins the team. February 2008

With Kay shortly to go on maternity leave, we have recruited a new membership Manager. She is Patricia Gilliam who has fitted into the team very well. She has a strong background in customer services and lives locally to our Head Office.

Head Office moves. September 2007

In September we moved our Head Office to larger premises near Stratford upon Avon. The move was a little traumatic (NO thanks to BT whom treated us very badly) but is much appreciated by us all now as we have a much better working environment and better technology to serve our customers with.

friendsfirst Director ties the knot. July 2007

In July 2007 Katharine Gray tied the knot herself marrying a wonderful (of course) man she'd met at the Christian Resources Exhibition in 2005.

The Times Newspaper writes about friendsfirst - January 12th 2007

Two correspondents from The Times Newspaper wrote an article on the big players in online dating - and friends1st.co.uk was amongst them (despite the fact we are NOT an online agency although we do have this website). If you missed seeing the article in print, click here to read it online. We weren't surprised by the negative commnets about online agencies - it's why we are not online - and why we know our personal 1:1 service makes all the difference.

Our second book is published. June 2007

Written on research done by friendsfirst, 'Looking for Love the second time round' is a guide to making new friends and relationships for widows and widowers. (ISBN - 13: 978-0-9552164-2-8) Click here for more information on it.

friendsfirst turns heads at the Christian Resources Exhibition. May 2007

For the second time, friendsfirst takes a stand at CRE in Esher in Surrey. Our stand attracted a far bit of attention from visitors and press and gave us the opportunity to talk to many people about the issue of singleness in the church. Below are two pictures from the event - on the left Katharine Gray - friendsfirst Director discussing singleness and friendship agencies with the Archbishop of Canterbury by the stand - and the stand on the right.

Membership Manager ties the knot - April 2007

Wayne Exton our Membership Manager who joined us in 2006, flew off to Zimbabwe to marry his gorgeous Zimbabwean fiance - Chiona. He'd been with us through most of his courtship with her and it was fascinating hearing how the their two cultures came together. This included Wayne having to buy Chiona's family quite a few cows as the bride price and fulfilling other African customs. They had a huge wedding, attended by most of the village Chiona's family live in, with great African rejoicing.

Our first book is published. July 2006

'Risking Romance Again - Dating after Divorce' by David Robertson is published. Our first book to be properly published (ISBN-13:978-0-9552164-1-1) is very well reviewed by a whole range of reviewers. Commissed and edited by friendsfirst, and written by David Robertson, a former member and author of other books. Click here for more information on it.

friendsfirst takes a stand at the Christian Resources Exhibition. May 2005

friendsfirst exhibits for the first time at CRE in Esher in Surrey. At the end of the exhibition a fellow exhibitor comes to the stand to ask what we do. Katharine tries to sign him up but he's far more interested in taking the boss out for a drink! See above for what then happens down the line.