tabler • spring 2009
Fellow Tablers…
I
t has been a busy few
months for us all – the
peak time of the Tabling
year for charter dinners,
fireworks and Santa sleighs,
and I know you’ve all been
out and about in your
communities doing what
Tablers do best.
I have been fortunate enough to have attended
many great events: Newtonards put on a
fantastic charity sports night in Belfast, raising
many thousands for local causes (I was lucky to
be seated next to Tommy Smith and Norman
Hunter for most of the evening); and for their
60th Charter Sandbach put on one of the most A great time with Camarthen
rowdy and enjoyable nights I’ve been too in my
RT at their Christmas Lunch.
time in Table.
It is difficult to list everyone, everywhere so please
very venue almost to the day where
don’t be offended if I’ve not mentioned your Table.
they were originally chartered.
But wherever I’ve travelled I am reassured that
A very special mention goes to
Tabling is going strong, the passion and spirit is
Carmarthen Round Table for inviting
very much alive, and at most events I am now
me to their Christmas Lunch – an
inducting one or two new Tablers.
unforgettable afternoon of fantastic
Coventry RT23 put on a superb Past Chairman’s
fun, fellowship and much merriment…
night in the St. Mary’s Guildhall. This venue has
Thank you all for sharing your
been used by Kings and Nobles throughout the
friendship and hospitality – I look
ages, an amazing evening in a very historic setting.
forward to many more occasions.
The befor
e shot, r
eady for the Gr
eat South Run…
I came under fire at Keynsham & Downend’s
The Round Table movement has come a long
Charter when a stray bread roll managed to catch
way in the 82 years since it was started by Louis
It is still important for Round Tablers to feel a sense
me unawares.
Marchesi in Norwich. At that time he felt it
of belonging within their community and to make
Bexhill did themselves proud with a 60th Charter
important that the “Young Man” of the day had
their Round Table an integral part of it. It is only by
where I inducted two new members and managed
a voice, was able to make a contribution to society
working hand-in-hand in this way that we can expect
to nick some decals off the car.
and a difference in the world. The basic reasons for
to gain respect and support for the activities and
Lewis organised a ‘Fat Stock’ dinner for the local
our existence have not fundamentally changed over
good work we do. Our research acknowledges that
community and promoted their Table to well over
the years and our six basic Aims and Objects still
Round Table still has a place and a relevance in today’s
a 100 local business men and women.
capture the essence of what Round Table is all
society and that young guys do want to join, provided
Saffron Walden added a ‘risqué’ twist to their
about, albeit in slightly less modern terminology.
the mix of programme is good.
Charter Night by wheeling in a silver pole at the Over the years the world and society have
end – no prize for guessing what happened next. changed a great deal. We talk now about how
I had a most interesting meal in a KFC at 23:30 the Association needs modernising to make it
following the Area 48 bowling evening; it was the relevant to today’s society like it is something new.
only food establishment open! Are we naive enough to think that Tablers in the
The City of Birmingham laid on the “Irish Dancing
“Are we putting
1950s and 60s were akin to the Tablers of the
Girls” for a splendid performance, and Aidan 1920s and 30s? No, of course not. Round Table
McGuire kept us entertained with some impromptu
down sound
has not stood still all of this time. In fact, our
ballads whilst the AV system was fixed. Winchester Movement has been on a constant journey of
63 managed to get a number of European Tablers
long term
change since its inception.
across for their 75th Charter and finished the What we face now is that the pace and focus
night off with their own unique “Alfa Romeo” song.
foundations?”
of change has not sustained the membership –
I dashed to the Tangent South Eastern Luncheon for whatever reason our numbers are in decline
in Chelmsford to be royally wined, dined and and approaching a point where we need to make
entertained by the ladies. radical changes to turn the Movement around.
Henley-on-Thames celebrated their 60th in the We are realistic in our ambitions: the first task
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