The first Round Table was formed in Norwich, England in 1927. The founder, Louis Marchesi, was a young member of Norwich Rotary Club who felt there was a need for a club aimed more at the younger businessmen of the town. His vision was for them to exchange ideas, learn from the experiences of their colleagues, and together contribute to the civic life of the town.
In the following 12 months, interest was so high that the club attracted 85 members, and people around the country were starting to show an interest in establishing other clubs.
From the beginning, the Round Table was a non-religious, non-political, and non-sectarian club, an ethos that still underpins the movement today.
The second Round Table club opened soon after in Portsmouth and then the idea really took off—by the time the Second World War broke out in 1939 there were 125 clubs and 4,600 members.
The first overseas group was formed in Copenhagen in 1936, and while the movement continued to grow in Denmark, the war years halted British expansion for a while. The existing clubs held strong, however, and when the war was over the momentum grew once again as clubs were chartered all over Britain. Today, in the United Kingdom, there are 600 local Round Tables, with a combined membership of close to 4000.
The Round Table is now a truly international movement, with active members in most European countries, as well as Africa, the Middle East, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the USA. In fact, there are Round Table clubs on every continent.
Logo
The Wi******er Round Table
Round Table has no direct connection to Arthurian Round Table. The design of the Round Table emblem or rondel (see above) is, however, an adaptation of the one which hangs in the Great Hall in Wi******er Castle. Although this is claimed to be the Round Table of the mythical court of King Arthur, it is in fact a representation which was made in the 13th century, and painted in its current form on the order of Henry VIII.
The movement's name comes from a speech that the then Prince of Wales (later King Edwards VIII and Duke of Windsor) made in 1927 to the British Industries Fair, when he said: "The young business and professional men of this country must get together round the table, adopt methods that have proved so sound in the past, adapt them to the changing needs of the times and wherever possible, improve them."
This speech inspired the fledgling movement’s name, and also provided its maxim: adopt, adapt, improve – principles that remain at the heart of the modern movement.
The Round Table Family
The Round Table Family of Clubs consists of four clubs.
In 1932 the wives of Tablers set up their own social networking and charitable fundraising organisation - Ladies Circle. This was founded by and for wives of Tablers, however is now open to all women aged 18 to 45.
Retiring Round Tablers have their own club, 41ers Club. Similarly, retiring Circlers have Tangent & Agora (clubs)
What Round Table members do
1. Socialising
The association promotes fellowship amongst young professional and business men, i.e., getting to know one another. Members of a Round Table club meet on a regular basis, normally once a fortnight. Meetings, primarily social gatherings, range from a simple drink at a local pub, to paintballing, a game of football, to something more adventurous. Round Table clubs within the UK are also grouped into "Areas", and clubs meet every three months for both social and charitable Area gatherings.
2. Getting involved with local community
Round Table is frequently associated with its charitable fund raising activities and community service projects. Around the world many Round Table clubs operate these activities through charitable trusts which are registered with, and regulated by, the Charities National Council. Many clubs organise community events during the year; these vary club to club, however, most events aim to raise money for local charitable causes. Events range from:
Community carnivals and fetes;
Winter Knights - assisting those in the cold months
Community beer & food festivals;
Community sporting events
All events are held primarily for giving back to the community and raising money for local charitable causes. Raising money can often be a secondary activity for members. however, what matters is that Round Table members ('Tablers') get involved in their local community and make a difference to people locally. There is also no obligation to commit a certain amount of time.
3. International relations
With Round Table clubs worldwide, its members can - either when moving areas permanently or simply on holiday or travelling on business - meet other "tablers" in their destination area. This is sometimes seen as the biggest benefit of Round Table - the fellowship. This allows you to develop life long friends with a common interest.
