The Round Table - What is it?

The organisation was created in 1927 by Louis Marchesi in Norwich. Feeling there was an opportunity for young men to get together and strengthen business and civic traditions whilst enhancing friendship and professional working relationships. Later in the same year, with 85 members already in Norwich, other country-wide groups started to form, flourishing rapidly and soon developing groups emerged internationally. It remains an opportunity for young men to meet, have fun, play sports, visit new places and participate in a huge variety of events. It raises charitable funds and provides the local (and national) community with equipment and donations and members having much entertainment along the way.

What is the attraction?

"When I came to Cromer 12 years ago I was a single man and i knew no-one in the area. A friend introduced me to round table and I didn't know anything about this organisation, except that there must be loads of strange ceremonies and such like...It's also about finding a bit of time for myself." (Gary Fowkes)

"I joined Round Table 16 years ago, having moved to the area knowing no-one. Within weeks of joining I had a ready group of friends and an active social life. Over the years the friendships I have made have become very special and as part of Table I have done many things that otherwise I would not have done, e.g. walked the mountains of Scotland, been home hosted in Sweden, visited Norwich Prison, performed on stage in front of 200 people and also went along to see the operations of a local brewery (all right I would have probably done the latter anyway). Most of all I have fun with mates and along the way we have raised some money for local and national charities." (Malcolm Fisher)

"I moved from Portsmouth to Sheringham and joined Round Table 5 years ago. Cliff Morris invited me along and i just carried on going. I didn't know what to expect at first, meeting every couple of weeks and visiting places sounded a bit uninteresting. However the blokes involved are all good mates now and the tablers are often together out playing snooker or squash, watching the footy or just having a beer. To me; table extends much further than every first and third Thursday in the month, it created a whole new social life." (Andy Johnson)

 

Round Table is often confused with other groups, its members now attuned to fending off accusations of secret handshakes and being the Rotary organisation. Members are welcome between the ages of 18 and 45 (at which you receive your honorary 'chuckout.') It is a very public organisation, meeting every 2 weeks (often with their base in a public house) and actively encourages new interested men to come along.

Round Table is closely associated with its sister organisation - Ladies Circle (www.ladies-circle.org.uk) Indeed many tabler's wives participate in this. Similarly 41 club (www.41club.org): so named as your chuckout used to be at the age of 40: is where ex-tablers gather to reminisce about the good old days in round table (we think....)

Sheringham and Cromer Round Table are in Area 6 in the country (each geographical area being numbered.) More information on local tables and of Area 6 can be found on (www.roundtablearea6.org.uk)

Information on Round Table as a national organisation can be accessed on (www.roundtable.org.uk)