German 41 Club AGM – 20th & 21st May 2011

A large contingent including Tablers from the Isle of Wight, enjoyed the hospitality at the German AGM in Coburg. Although a bit smaller than our own AGM’s, they  put on a superb weekend with good venues and good food. It was nice to meet the Presidents of the other Association’s and hopefully we can all work together to take 41 Club International forward.

Great Britain & Ireland Past Presidents’ Weekend – 13th & 14th May 2011

The Past Presidents (together with widows of Past Presidents) meet every two years and this year the event was organised by Drew and Moira Cochran and was held in North Berwick.

Several of the Past Presidents meet up to renew old acquaintances and as well as enjoying the local food and visiting the local area, it is also a chance to quiz the “New President” about what is going on in 41 Club and Round Table.

A really enjoyable weekend and I look forward to the next one.

RT Area 23 Severnvale 60th Charter Dinner – 12th May

A really enjoyable evening was had at the Round Table Area 23 60th Charter Dinner. Many tables from the Area were there to support the new Area Executive, who were introduced to the meeting, and to witness the handing over of the Chairman’s Jewel. Also at the meeting was the new National President of Round Table – John Payne – and we both brought greetings from our respective Associations – under “friendly fire” from sugar cubes. The evening was completed by the comedian and more beer.

It was very good to see the evening well supported by the local 41 Club’s and they have promised to continue that support over the coming year.

Rothwell & Distict 41 Club’s Annual General Meeting 10th May

Accompanied by Immediate Past International Officer, Andy Waite, we both enjoyed the evening with Rothwell & District 41 Club at their AGM. It was a good fun evening with lots of laughter too. Another club which have a full list of officers and it was a pleasure to induct a new member  John Paley as well.

Round Table Conference – 5th-7th May

 

An excellent Conference was held at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool, thoroughly enjoyed by approximately 600 delegates.

The weekend was started with a visit to an excellent show on the Thursday evening – Funny Girls.

The International Lunch and Banner Exchange were held in a local Chinese Restaurant on the Friday lunchtime and were really enjoyable .



The day was completed with the Fancy Dress Party. The theme being “Skool Disco” which went on to the early morning.

The Annual General Meeting was held on the Saturday. Over 200 delegates were present and enjoyed a day of the usual serious debates and good humour and after a full day John Payne was installed as the new National President, with good wishes from 41 Club. The Presidents Banquet is now held on the Saturday Evening and the final exchange of Jewels took place then.

A busy and very enjoyable weekend and congratulations to all those who took part in the organisation.

Godalming 41 Club’s Annual General Meeting – 28th April

Invited by the Secretary, Jim Laity, who I have known for several years, I joined Godalming 41 Club for their Annual General Meeting which had been delayed due to holidays.


It was a really enjoyable evening with lively debate on the accounts and membership, with a new member inducted as well. Another well organised club which ranks amongst their officers (as well as the traditional ones) a Speaker Secretary, Ladies Night Organiser, Sports Officer and an Editor.

A good club to visit and I am looking forward to joining them at their golf day, diary permitting.

41 Club Joint Meeting with the French – 22nd April

The first meeting organised by the Association’s new International Officer – Dave Campbell – took place on-board the Cross Channel Ferry between Dover and Calais.


The Joint Meeting between Region 25 (Kent) and the French Region 1 (Nord Pas de Calais Picardie) had been superbly organised by Dave (as the outgoing Councillor) and his French counterpart, Stephane Andriolo.

The idea for the first of such a meeting was very simple – the British caught the ferry to Calais, the French then got on and we had a joint meeting as we sailed back to Dover; the British then disembarked and the French then enjoyed a meal whist sailing back to Calais. With approximately 100 members from both countries in attendance, it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of 41 Club from both countries.

Hopefully it will be the start of an annual joint meeting of the Regions/Club and might even encourage some Clubs to “twin”.

Stafford 41 Club’s Annual General Meeting and 50th Charter Celebrations – 20th April

Accompanied by the Association’s new National Communications Officer – Ray Hill – we joined Stafford 41 Club for their Annual General Meeting with which they also combined their 50th Charter Celebrations. We had a really good evening, were made very welcome and were very well looked after.


Stafford 41 Club were a lot of fun and we had a good laugh throughout the night, with a few serious moments. They are also a very well organised club and rank amongst their officers a Regalia Officer and an International Relations Officer.

The highlight was the presentation of the Service Award to David Orme, who has been of tremendous service to the club, having served as both Secretary and Treasurer of the Club for the last 25 years.

Burgess Hill and Hassocks 41 Club’s St George’s Day Dinner – 19th April

A warm Tuesday evening saw me being invited to join with Burgess Hill and Hassocks  41 Club at their St George’s Day Dinner. A really enjoyable evening, with super food and a very funny comedian. The evening was finished off with the singing of favourite songs, including “There’ll Always Be An England”, “Land Of Hope and Glory” and “Jerusalem”. A really good evening of fun and fellowship and, with over 80 there, testimony to its popularity which has grown over the years.

East Grinstead Annual General Meeting – 18th April

I was straight into my first event as President on the Monday after Conference, when I attended my own club’s Annual General Meeting. An enjoyable evening (meal of ham, egg and chips all round and a frozen summer pudding as dessert) attended by about 20 of our members, including some that we had not seen for a long time and a prospective new member. There was the usual discussion about annual subscriptions, places we had visited and what we had done during the year, but we all enjoyed the evening and I left being somehow voted in as vice-chairman.

Forfar & District 50th Anniversary Dinner - 25th March

A really enjoyable evening was organised by Forfar and District 41 Club in celebration of their 50th Anniversary Dinner. The event was held at the local golf club and Allan Thomson, the National Councillor for Region 2, and I both enjoyed an evening of fun and fellowship in which the members were able to meet up with old friends and swap stories of their time in Table. The food, venue and staff were excellent and we were very well looked after.

The highlight of the evening was a presentation to Alan Garrick in recognition of his long term support of the club (he has been a member continuously for 41 years) and he was appointed as the club’s first “Life Honorary President”.

1741 Club Charity Night – Wednesday 23rd March

A really enjoyable charity games night was organised by 1741 Club at their normal meeting place – The Town Club, Enfield.

There they organised an evening of “pig racing”, which not only involved members of the club, but also the local Round Tables and locals/visitors to the club.

The plan was quite simple. Two pieces of wood, which had been divided into six lanes, screwed together. Organise the tote, race the battery driven pigs, pay out the winners and the balance was kept for charity. Everyone had a good time and to watch it was extremely funny and to top it off they raised £195.00 for Round Table Children's Wish

Sutton and Cheam Round Table Reunion Dinner - 25th February 2011

A really enjoyable evening was had by all. Sutton and Cheam 41 Club combined forces to organise the Sutton and Cheam Round Table Reunion Dinner, both Tables have unfortuantely now closed.

It was an evening to enjoy the fun and fellowship they all had in Round Table, recounting the history of the clubs and finishing off with a few jokes.

The dinner was well attended by current 41'ers and former tables and hofefully will be a constant fixture in their diaries.

Gibralter Burns Night 21st January 2011

I attended a very enjoyable Charity Burns Night along with Round Table President John Kilsh, Past Round Table President Peter Manley a large contingent of Tables from Airdrie Round Table and several other Round Tables and 41 Club members. A large sum for raised for local charities friendships renewed.
Jill came over with me and was taken out with Tangent and Circle members and was excellently entertained.
We stayed for a couple of days and were taken out for a tour of the island, had dinner at the RT Chairman's Restaurant and spent time with old friends Paul Origio Past National 41 Club Presdient of Giralter and his wife Belinda.
I would recommend anyone thinking of going to go, a superb weekend was had by all.

Southend-on-Sea, Martin Young Cluster Meeting 10th January 2011

Along with Dave Campbell , National Councillor for Region 25, I had the pleasure of attending The 2011 Martin Young Cluster Meeting, organised by Southend-on-Sea 41 Club.

It was an excellent evening, in a superb venue with good food. As well as many 41 Club Members it was good to see the event was suppported by the local Round Table; with the Aims and Objects of Round Table read by "the 5 new boys" who were all inducted into Southend-on-Sea in November 2010;  hopefully they will go on and join 41 Club in time !

After the meal and formalities, we all enjoyed hearing from Guest Speaker, Brian Curtois, who entertained us all with his stories from when he was a political commentator.

Whitchurch RT and 41 Club Christmas Dinner 16th December 2010

Along with Ray Hill, National Councillor for Region 11, I had the pleasure of joining Whitchurch 41 Club at their Joint Christmas Dinner with Whitchuch Round Table.

It was a really enjoyable evening, the highlight for me was being able to present Dave Bentley, Past Club President and their current Secretary with a  Service Award. It came as a complete suprise to him and it was nice to be able to formally recognise all the hard work he puts into the smooth running of the Club.

Shirley late Knights Ladies Night 6th November 2010

Jill and I joined Shirley Late Knights to support Jon Meadows, Club chairman at his Ladies Night. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all, with dancing until the early hours. Thank you to everyone who made us both feel so welcome.

Wimbledon 41 Club Gaugin Visit Friday 5th November 2010

Jill and I joined Wimbledon 41 Club  for an evening of culture at the Tate Modern to see an exhibition of the works of Gaugin.

The evening started off with a talk from one of the guides, followed by a tour of the gallery which included many of his main works and some that had not been on display before.


A good evening was rounded up with a pizza and wine and plenty of chat.

Shirley Late Knights Charter 4th November 2010

Along with the Associations International Officer and a contingent from Malta, I enjoyed a Reunion and Celebration evening in Solihull, which was held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the formation of Shirley Kate Knights and the 55th Anniversary of the Chartering of Shirley Round Table,



It was an informal evening, short on ceremony and an excellent evening in which to catch up with old friends. The Guest speaker was David Gunson ( past Air Traffic Controller) who entertained us for about an hour.

A good evening.

Area 13 41 Club AGM Wick Saturday 23rd October 2010

A long trip north to Wick for a meeting of Area 13 41 Club where we were joined by members from as far away as Stornaway and Inverness.


A really good evening was had by all, with too much good food and whiskey. Despite this, it was good to see that the club has increased its numbers, set out a programme of where/when to meet and to top it all they are looking into the possibility if forming a new 41 Club in Wick.