Every month Thame Hub will be featuring an article on various people in Thame who serve the Thame Community. This is your chance for the people of Thame to find out a little bit more about you or your business.
If you'd like to feature in these articles then drop us an email at [email protected].
For our ninth instalment of the series we are talking to the members of Thame & District Round Table 753 to find out a little bit more about what they do for Thame, and what it's like being a member.
For our readers who are not sure what Thame and District Round Table do – can you explain a little bit more of what you are about?
We are a mens social group, meeting regularly - usually every two weeks and on a Tuesday- throughout the year.
We plan a calendar of events to take part in for each meeting, with 2 or 3 of the meetings set aside to conduct the business of the Thame & District Round Table Charity.
Simply put, the group is there to offer men between the ages of 18-45 a social outlet. Men moving in to a new area are not usually as ‘good’ at women at forming new social groups - particularly if they don’t have an interest in stereotypically male activities such as football.
Round Table has members of various backgrounds, roles and interests and this creates an open and welcoming group.
Alongside the social meetings, we have our local community at heart. With two much loved annual events - Thame Duck Race and Santa Sleigh collections - we raise funds which are distributed to worthy local causes, groups and individuals, where appropriate.
When were you founded?
Thame Round Table received its ‘Charter’ in 1962 - the Charter registered our Table as being a part of the official Round Table movement, which was created in in 1927. Round Table is an international organisation now!
How many members do you have?
There are currently 16 members and a further 4 “honorary members” - ex-Tablers who are above the maximum age limit of 45.
Can anyone join and how do people go about joining?
Membership is open to men aged between 18 and 45, anyone wishing to join can contact us via www.thameroundtable.org or speak with an existing member. We invite potential new members to come along to several of our meetings/events to get to know everyone and see what we do. If they enjoy this and feel they want to get involved and support the fundraising activities, then an invitation to join is extended.
What types of activities do you do?
Kayaking the River Thame, cycle tour of local hostelries, crayfishing, rifle shooting, go-karting, beer and curry nights, shed night, factory tours, archery - the list keeps growing as we try to find new and interesting things to see and do - often as a group, we can gain access to things you would not get to see or do as an individual. We all share the work involved in planning the events and these are all very well attended!
How can the people of Thame request your help?
Contacting us via our website or facebook messaging (www.facebook.com/ThameDistrictRoundTable753) in the first instance.
At Christmas you embarked on the Santa sleigh round Thame, Haddenham and Long Crendon raising over £8000 for charity – how did that go, was it great to spread some festive cheer?
The sleigh runs are such fun, every one who takes part for the first time is bowled over by the passion and emotion shown by collectors and the people donating - we get bags of change thrust upon us, collected by kind people waiting for us to come around each year.
It’s that kind of generosity that makes our area such a lovely place to live and, keeps us going through the pouring rain when it falls!
What’s in store for the rest of 2017?
We are working on our new calendar - our goal is to bring new events in and, increase our membership to help more people than ever!
What’s your favourite thing about Thame?
Many of our members have voiced the same feeling - community.
Whatever we do, wherever we do it, we are supported - from the local pubs that offer us free meeting space, to the businesses that donate money and/or services to support the Duck Race and Santa Sleigh (we are particularly grateful to Pentangle in Thame for their Santa Tracker app and website - all provided for free!)
What would you say to anybody who’s interested in joining Thame and District Round Table?
Just do it. I have yet to find someone, who once they have been to a few of our events, and especially if they’ve helped out at our wider community fund-raising efforts, hasn’t wanted to be a more permanent part of Table. Whether you’re joining for the regular events, the charity work, or if you just want to be part of a group that helps out in and around Thame - there is really is something for everyone within Table. We’re always very welcoming, and I can honestly say (for myself at least) that being part of Table has been one of the best things I have ever done… and will keep on doing!
Thanks to Thame & District Round Table for letting us interview them , for more information on the the Thame & District Round Table you can visit their website at thame.roundtable.co.uk.
Thanks also to Mark Hewitson for taking the photo for this featured article. For more information on Mark Hewitson photography, please visit his website at www.markhewitson.co.uk.
Read Mark's behind the scenes blog in the "Portrait of Thame" series here.
