Grantham Round Table enjoys virtual meets - but needs more members

The Round Table is the largest voluntary organisation for young men in the world.

Formed in 1927 by 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, it is now open to men aged between 18 and 45.

Grantham Round Table has been running since 1951 and still brings together groups of friends for a drink and a laugh as well as an opportunity to raise money for a range of local charities and good causes.

From karting, gliding or juggling, members are given the chance to try activities they wouldn’t usually try alone.

The club normally gets together each fortnight, for everything from paintballing to a game of football, or even something as simple as a drink at the pub or a meal somewhere local.

Determined not to let the lockdown put a stop to their plans, members have continued to meet virtually each week so that people at home can see other friendly faces.

The virtual events have involved everything from a craft beer night and gin tasting to online poker and quiz nights.

The club currently has 22 members who are a variety of ages and come from all walks of life, but they would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in joining them.

This year’s chairman, Chris England, told the Journal what the club has got to offer in what has been an extraordinary year so far.

What made you want to join the Round Table?

I joined about three years ago as I was wanting to do something social that also had a business angle, networking etc, although that is not what Round Table is strictly about.

How has the club adapted while in lockdown?

We have, like all clubs and societies, had to diversify what we would usually do. Normally the club meets every other Tuesday and we would have a curry and a few beers, play a bit of sport and occasionally have a more formal event like Founders’ Night or our Charter Night in October to celebrate the formation of the club in 1951.

With the ban on seeing people and the Government ruling to stay at home, obviously those events couldn’t take place so we have had to adapt, which is part of Round Table Britain and Ireland’s mantra anyway: ‘Adopt, Adapt and Improve.’

We changed our meetings to weekly on a Tuesday so that people didn’t feel isolated and also so that we had something to look forward to during lockdown. We have done quizzes, played poker online and had meetings via Zoom where we just had a beer and a chat. We have also held three successful virtual festivals with craft beer, gin and cider, which have had great attendance.

What are your plans for the future of the club?

We have been running in Grantham since 1951, but at some point in the club’s history membership has been low. We are strong at the moment and our ambition is to grow the club and attract some more members to ensure that the club is in existence for another 70 years or more. To do this we have partnered with the King’s School this year to help them with their Toy Bank for children at Christmas in a bid to make the club more visible for anyone wanting to join.

Why do you think men join the Round Table?

There are a number of reasons why people have and do continue to join. We are a group of lads, mostly like-minded, and often when you are of working age you lose male camaraderie as you get married, have children and spend time working. Round Table gives you an outlet and is a positive and productive use of time. We raise money for charity which gives members a sense of community spirit and helps charities locally. But it’s also very important to say that it gives men a chance to chat to other people outside of their family group if they have anything that is bothering them. It is a fantastic support network.

Which charities has the club raised money for?

We have raised more than £10,000 over the past five years and have supported the homeless by buying sleeping bags and tents. We purchased a building for the South Lincolnshire Blind Society’s allotment so that their members had a dry, warm space. We have also sent seriously ill children on holiday. We continue to raise money and would welcome submissions from local charities seeking help.

Who can join?

Any man aged between 18 and 45 years old can join. After 45 you can choose to join the 40+ club, which does similar things and charity work.

How can people contact with the club?

Round Table has given me a great deal personally and I would like to encourage anyone wanting to ‘do more’ to contact the club via our new website www.grantham
roundtable.co.uk or via our Facebook page – you will not regret it!