Make new friends and give something back with GWRT

GWRT on BBC Children in Need 2011

Well...What's in it for Me then?

1. Access to experiences and activities you just would not have otherwise
2. A new group of friends and contacts
3. Many new life skills
4. The opportunity to really contribute to your community


5. A whole new uniform and commercial discounts



Make new friends

There are many reasons why you wish to expand your social group. It could be you have moved to a new area or your mates have moved away, changed or you have simply out grown them.

We are the easiest way to meet new friends in your local area . The welcome you will find at your local Round Table will be warm and genuine, and it is one of the main reasons people join the organisation.


If you want to have an instant social life and belong to a ready built group of new friends, get in touch. Remember we have all been the new guy so we know how you feel.


Have a go at new experiences

Round Table opens a world of activities you wouldn’t otherwise experience. From the excitement of Skydiving & Rally Driving, to Beer festivals & Clay Pigeon shoots. Getting together to share the fun is a big part of the Round Table life.


Ask members what it is that they like most about Round Table, and they’ll tell you it’s the opportunity to have fun and do something different which they would never try alone. It is like having a stag do every other week (by this we mean everything other than being handcuffed to the prom at Blackpool). Most of the events we run are on an evening in the week. 


Personal development

As a member of Round Table, you will be exposed to a range of people, from all types of backgrounds, with a wide variety of skills. Broaden your horizons, and you’ll find yourself doing all sorts of things you wouldn’t normally experience.


Give something back to your area

We know the feeling you get when you can fulfill a wish for a very poorly child, when you can build a local school playground, or organise a Christmas party for your local retirement home. Join Round Table and you will have fun, make lifelong friends and have opportunities that will allow you to make a real difference to you and your community.


It's not what You know, but who You know

Join Round Table and before you know it, you will have a brand new network of contacts.

Members of Round Table come from a wide range of professions in all walks of life, but what they all have in common is their willingness and commitment to offering each other support. As you go to more events and get to know members in your group, your area, and even around the country, you will steadily build up more and more contacts.


As your networking circle widens, your list of people you know builds up, meaning you will always have somebody you can call when you need knowledge or advice, no matter what the question is. It is also fair to say a member is likely to want to deal with somebody they know over somebody they don't.


When does Great Western Round Table meet?

Generally we meet on the first and third Thursday of every month. But we also get together at weekends and other times, often with our partners and families and a few times a year with other Round Tables. See the club programme for more details.


A very strong team spirit is developed within the club. This makes it really easy for us to pool our skills and channel our joint resources into doing something useful for the community; whether it's raising money for worthy causes or organising local events. The event we put on named Downend Firework Display is but one excellent example of our enjoyable fundraising activities that also provide a service to our community.


How much time and effort do I put in?

Well, as much as we want to; and we all find that we want to as much as we can!  Our members already lead really busy lives, with business commitments taking many of us away from home (even overseas) during the week. Nobody is made to feel guilty if they can't join in all the fun. We simply encourage everyone to commit to what they can. It's accepted that our families and work come before Tabling, but we all get so much out of it that we make the effort to join in as much as possible.


So is it all about raising money?

No not at all – Round Table is a service club, but unlike other service clubs (such as Rotary) we put fun and friendship before fundraising. So though we do put a lot of work into our fundraising, we put more into having a good time. To be honest having a meeting in a pub planning a fundraising event, improves the taste of the beer.

Why do you have to be under 45?

The age rule is there to keep it a young men’s organisation. There is however an organisation for ex-tablers – for that fateful day. There are no other requirements. Membership is open to young men from all religions, races and political persuasions.

For further information, call Mike on 07725408312 or email ask@gwrt.co.uk or just visit our website to check out what we are up to this week:

www.gwrt.co.uk

Come along to 'discover more' about Bristol's Great Western Round Table

Great Western Round Table have just released the new social programme for the new year, sandwiched between all the local charity work we are invloved in—to raise money and support local worthy causes in Bristol.

If you feel you would like to come along to discover more, have a look below at some of social events and do not hesitate to get in touch today.

Thu 17 May 12‘
Beer & A Flick Night


Wed 30 May 12’
Scatter Night with Thornbury


Thu 7 Jun 12
Geocaching, Bristol


Thu 21 Jun 12’
Quad biking - Hamburger Hill


Thu 5 Jul 12’
Family Cycle Ride - Cycle path


Sat 14-15 Jul 12’
Table Camping Weekend in Devon


Thu 2 Aug 12’
Beach Volleyball on Giant Screen


Thu 16 Aug 12’
New Members Night


Sat 25 Aug 12’
Chairman’s Family Picnic/Grill Stroll


Thu 6 Sep 12’
Quarterly Business Meeting


Fri 7-9 Sep 12’
RTBI National Sporting Weekend


Thu 20 Sep 12’
Walk around Bristol Docks


Thu 4 Oct 12’
Try Dive


Thu 18 Oct 12’
Indoor Football V Thornbury


Thu 1 Nov 12’
Pre Downend Fireworks Meeting at the Pub!


Thu 15 Nov 12’
Santa Sleigh Preparation Night


Sat 10 Nov 12’
Après Downend Fireworks Night


Thu 29 Nov 12’
Mystery Night


Thu 6 Dec 12’
GWRT Christmas Bash


Thu 20 Dec 12’
Local leaflet Drop/Pub Tour!


Thu 3 Jan 13’
Mystery Night


Thu 17 Jan 13’
Treasure Hunt


Thu 31 Jan 13’
Mystery Night


Thu 7 Feb 13’
New Members Night


Thu 21 Feb 13’
Quarterly Business Meeting


Thu 7 Mar 13’
Cinema and Waiter Night


Thu 21 Mar 13’
Mystery Night


Thu 4 Apr 13’
Caving (wet system)


Fri 19 April 13’
GWRT 60th Annual AGM

For further information, call Mark Dotchin on 07557 339220 or contact the Chairman, Mike Santiago-Griggs on 07725408312, email ask@gwrt.co.uk or just visit our website to check out what we are up to this week:

www.gwrt.co.uk

GWRT ensure specially designed tricycle will give Curtis freedom to ride

Bristol Round Table Chairman Robert Nagle, centre, joins Great Western Round Table Chairman Paul Brown, left, and member Mark Dotchin, second right, with Ruth Thompson, right, from the Children Today charity, during their meeting with Curtis Francis, front, and mum Karon Edwards. Right, the specialised tricycle Photograph: Chas Breton BRCB20120428A-003_C

A DISABLED youngster from Lockleaze has been provided with a specialised tricycle thanks to ourselves and Bristol Round Table.

A charity called Children Today received an application for the tricycle from the family of Curtis Francis, 13, who lives in Cotman Walk.

Curtis is autistic with epilepsy, severe learning difficulties and is registered blind and requires constant supervision in every activity he participates in.

His mother Karon Edwards, 51, believed regular use of a trike would improve his strength and stamina. She also thought a trike would enable him to take part in activities he enjoys with other members of his family and friends, and would help to develop his confidence and social skills.

The piece of equipment cost £1,382, and although Curtis' special school, the West of England School for visually-impaired children in Exeter, had already pledged £400, nearly £1,000 was still needed.

Children Today, which provides vital equipment for disabled children and young people in the UK, appealed to Bristol Round Table, based in the city centre, and oursleves, to help fund the trike.

Robert Nagle, chairman of Bristol Round Table, said:

"We all felt this was a really good cause to support and the groups decided to split the cost so that Children Today could buy this piece of equipment for Curtis. We've heard that he is really happy with his tricycle as it gives him some fun and some freedom. We are currently looking for more members and think this story is a great example of the type of causes our fundraising benefits."

Round Table members meet regularly for business evenings, social events and activities. The groups are about getting men, aged 18 to 45, together to have a good time and share experiences as well as to fund raise and help the community.

A spokeswoman from Children Today said:

"An essential piece of equipment can make the world of difference to a child's quality of life, helping in a range of practical and social situations."

Ms Edwards told the Post: "I am ever so grateful to the Round Table groups for their help in getting this tricycle for Curtis. It gives him the freedom to ride around on a special track on his school and he really enjoys it."He had a specialised tricycle when he was younger but he outgrew it, so we are both especially pleased with this one.
 

"I would like to say thank you to the Round Table groups, and hope our story means that more people will donate at their events."

For more information about Bristol or Great Western Round Table and our various activities, see our websites at www.bristolroundtable.org or ww.gwrt.co.uk

GWRT's Recruitment Drive Powers On!

Last week at our business meeting our chairman Paul Brown inducted new member Chris Mitchell, who got in touch with us at the membership stand at our annual fireworks display in Downend, Bristol.

Chris is believed to be the only person in the clubs history to have pinned on his own badge before induction; after receiving his 'new member goodies' to his own address by a mistake by the club secretary! Doh.

Chris is already settling in well and has already been enjoying himself this week at the Round Table Area 12 AGM and I quote: "Conversely I feel much better having eaten my own weight in duck pancakes"...

On behalf of everyone at the club we would like to welcome Chris to the club and we believe he will be a real asset to Round Table and the local Bristol community in the future.

Welcome aboard!

GWRT Support Bristol Hospital Radio Service

James Broe operates as Ian Browne presents "Opening Time"

Great Western Round Table have just kindly sponsored Bristol Hospital Radio Service to the tune of £500 to put towards the Sunday Sport Live rugby commentary from The Memorial Stadium.

Bristol Hospital Broadcasting Service commentaries by Dick Bateman, Dave Fox, Mark Hoskins and Dave Rawlings go to 15 local hospitals from every home game.

Dick Bateman at BHBS said: "BHBS wishes to thank the boys at Great Western Round Table (Motto:- "Get a passport to Experience and Make Friends for Life) for the cash injection which will help keep the station running this year."

BHBS transmits to 10 hospitals covering approximately 8,000 beds, broadcasting 200 record requests every week. They also provide full commentary on all Bristol Rovers and Bristol City home games along with rugby commentary from The Memorial Stadium, the home of Bristol Football Club. All classical concerts from the Colston Hall and also shows from the Bristol Hippodrome are relayed to the hospitals along with recordings from St George's Concert Hall on Brandon Hill.

BHBS broadcasts programmes, 24 hours a day, of music and entertainment plus all the main concerts and sporting events including live relays from the Colston Hall, football grounds and rugby matches. The aim of the service is to provide patients with the music they want to hear and it is not unusual to play as many as 50 requests in an evening. There is a library of some 60,000 record tracks in the studio. To assist patients with making requests a small team of BHBS visitors visits the wards to ask patients what they would like to hear. 

Great Western Round Table wishes the station and volunteers all the best for the future.

BHBS can be contacted by at chairman@bhbs.org or telephone number 0117 929 3303.

GWRT AGM is due to kick off

The big AGM Night is fast approaching on Thursday 19th of April 2012.

GWRT welcomes all members and friends of the club to attend, by booking in for the meal.

The plan is for active Tablers to meet at 7:15pm in the function room at The Langley Arms. Guests who have booked in will arrive at 7:30pm. Partners & guest of Tablers who arrive early are welcome to wait in the Lounge bar where drinks will be provided up until 7:30pm when we should have finished the form filling in for the voting of posts later in the evening.

It has been a busy year and we have made a lot of changes in the club to improve the way we operate and work on how we are perceived by the public.

Great Western Round Table has taken part in a lot of events, from caving in the Mendips to beer festivals to badminton to BBC TV appearances for Children in Need and of course raising thousands of pounds to hand out to local worthy causes! It has been a busy year!

With the work GWRT has been tirelessly doing behind the scenes on marketing the club to attract new younger members we can now say it has started working and we are now seeing the fruits of our labor with an influx of members of the public finding us and wanting to come along to find out more.

We are pleased to announce that we are officially inducting two new members on Thursday night, Gareth Mainwaring and Chris Mitchell, both who will be real assets to the club and Round Table as a whole. GWRT would also like to welcome Tabler Mark Doitchin who is transferring from Devizes Round Table because of re-locating to Bristol.

A special mention also goes to Paul Brown who will be retiring from Round Table after a great Tabling career and we wish him the best of luck for the future and we hope 41 club accept him!

During the usual business to get out of the way like at any AGM, GWRT are excited to announce an unveiling of the new club branded clothing of around 10 different samples which can be ordered on the night. There are some lovely quality items available at a great price, some items are also going to be free to members as part of a uniform.

Finally, GWRT's AGM night is about ending the year on a high and looking to the future. The whole club is grateful for all the help and support from family, friends and the public for all their support throughout last year and we hope to make 2012-2013 the best year we have had in a long time!

If can make the evening and haven’t yet confirmed please email secretary@gwrt.co.uk

WICKWAR BREWERY TOUR / Browner's Leavers Night & New Members Night

The big one before the GWRT AGM has landed!

As is tradition in Round Table when an “old fart” leaves at 45, we normally have a bit of a knees up! So we have decided to do just that.

How does transport, beer and curry sound to you I ask?

Paul Brown is due to retire because of the age rule (although IPC for another Year), so he has decided to arrange a Leavers & New Members Night.

Date: Thursday, 29th March 2012

Venue: Wickwar Brewery, 7.00pm – Wickwar, Gloucestershire at a cost £10.00 per head (including commemorative glass, with hopefully Paul's face not on it!).

Meal: 9.30pm - Tudor Raj – Chipping Sodbury (TBA - fixed price menu being agreed – unless vegetarian).

Travel:  At present - a 24 Seat minibus has been arranged to collect @ a subsidised cost of only £10.00 per Head - in order from:-

- Keynsham @ 5.45pm
- Kingswood @ 6.00pm
- Downend @ 6.35pm
- Stapleton @ 6.15pm
- Frenchay @ 6.25pm
- Winterbourne @ 6.35pm
- Yate @ 6.50pm

The bus will wait at Wickwar Brewery for us and take us to Chipping Sodbury for our meal at Tudar Raj – he will also wait for our return home, about 11.30pm.

I hope that many of you will consider attending Paul's “swansong” after so many years of fun & fellowship all beer is supplied in the Brewery, so if you haven't got Paul a beer recently, make sure you do on the night!

Guests/potential members are all welcome on the night so ask sons/son in laws, nephews, and friends – just please let us know at the earliest opportunity by emailing Paul@waste-handling-solutions.com.

 The allocation of space on the bus will be on a first come basis (if numbers are significant – then maybe  additional transport can be arranged) – so if you are planning to attend and do want a space – then please can you book in ASAP as time is ticking till the big night.


On behalf of all members of GWRT, a massive thanks to Paul for being such a good, hardworking servant to Round Table.

Great Western Round Table look forward to seeing everyone at what promises to be a fantastic evening. 

Mike Santiago-Griggs