Circler Issue 024

MAGAZINE FOR THE BEST SOCIAL NETWORK FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN THE WORLD We Remember

Spring into action for Charity Ball’s Christmas Ball

New Year starts with Friends

From the Editor...

Well where have the last six months gone………………. I can't

Party!

what a truly humbling experience it is to see first-hand

At the end of November, the Exec had their budget meeting. Numbers are not my thing - however, it was extremely interesting looking in fine detail into where we could possibly save the association money.

At the end of November, I attended Fiona's Christmas ball: WOW! Well done to Alice and Derek on pulling off an amazing night. You made Fiona's dreams come true.

greeted by fellow Exec members who threw me a little divorce party with a two-tier black cake. On the Saturday we got down to some hard work preparing for September's Council Meeting which ended in a few cocktails!

At the September Council Meeting I sat at the table with other strong women, to discuss Circling business.

We then started filming for our membership recruitment video and it was extremely humbling to be able to hear first-hand why these women joined Ladies

In October I went to visit my parents in Australia and even video-called in to the Exec meeting at 3am Australian time - I must have been nuts!

In November, Fiona asked me to be one of the many women to march in the Remembrance parade in London. I was extremely honoured and glad my late Grandad got to see me on TV! In fact, during his last few weeks with us, he had a picture of me taken on the day, by his hospital bedside and told everyone about it.

I then took a break to spend some precious time with my Grandad before he passed. I cannot thank the Exec and Ginette May enough for all the support they gave me though this rocky time.

I just want to end my editor’s letter with a reminder that no matter what you are going through, you are not alone. Circle has taught me that it's OK to not be OK, so please reach out.

Stacey

Stacey Humphries - Editor

From Fiona Bull...

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DID SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Ask most people this question and they’ll probably have to think for a while… ask a Circler and she’s bound to have an answer ready! From axe-throwing to burlesque, goat yoga to climbing Snowdon, there is always something new to try during our regular meetings. I love the opportunities Circle gives us to expand our comfort zones - even taking on a role within your club could add to your personal skillset. Doing anything for the first time might feel daunting but it isn’t when you have your girl gang by your side supporting you.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU MADE A NEW FRIEND?

Most adults admit they find it hard to make new friends. It’s apparently not as easy as when we were kids on the playground when all it took was a ‘I like

your shoes’ or ‘do you want to play tag’? But ask a Circler and there’s a strong chance she’ll say “last night” or “last week”. Within Circle, it’s like being a kid all over again and ‘I like your shoes’ still works! We’ve all heard the phrase “Circle is a place where you can walk into a roomful of strangers yet be among friends” and it really is true.

We should be proud of this, but more importantly we shouldn’t keep it to ourselves – so next time you meet a colleague or friend of Circling age, ask them along to your next meeting. And if you’re reading this as a nonmember, this is your sign to #GetInvolved

In my welcome letter to new members, we say “Circling doesn’t begin and end at home – we’re part of a worldwide network of women supporting women.

There are many opportunities to connect with other Circlers and Round Table Family members, from international and national events to online forums.”

Over the year ahead, I’d urge you to say yes to these opportunities, join us for a national event, save up for an international trip or join in online. You never know who you might meet but I can guarantee your life will be richer for it.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW A PROBLEM AND BECAME PART OF THE SOLUTION?

We’re the social group with a community conscience. We have an international charity – Jood!; a national charity – BBC Children in Need; and a President’s charity – Samaritans (I’ve just completed a 24 hour Talkathon for them… it was tough!). But it’s what our clubs and individual members do in their home area that makes us special, and our strongest clubs are exactly where they should be: at the heart of their local community. From raffles and quizzes to Santa sleighs and epic challenges, I am proud to see the difference we make, day in day out.

My most recent ‘first time’ combined all our best bits! I was travelling to Pärnu, Estonia to join a Ladies Circle International Meeting. Having never travelled abroad alone, it was a big first - as was going to a party in a swimming costume, joining with ladies from across the Nordic countries in a swimming pool (not an inflatable in sight - just a cool DJ and drummer) and it was all rounded off with a charity ice swim – combining our ethos of fun, friendship and fundraising all in one perfect weekend.

This is the real beauty of our association: its ability to expand our comfort zone and open a world of friendship. It makes me proud to be your President and even prouder to say #IAmCircle

Yours in friendship

Fun, Friendship & Fundraising for BBC Children in Need 2022

We would love to say a big THANK YOU to all our members for giving up their time for volunteering and fundraising in aid of Children in Need. It all started back in the summer when Circlers from the north and south gave up their weekend to sell raffle tickets at Carfest.

They helped raise, together with Round Table, a total of £43,400. It wasn’t all work and no play…. volunteers were given a free pass for the weekend and were able to enjoy the music and entertainment.

As you can see from all the photos, we all had a great time. You could get involved in 2023 by emailing vicepresident@ladiescircle.co.uk

A USEFUL GUIDE TO LCI

If you have never been to LCI meeting, what are you waiting for, it’s time to #GetInvolved

1. Don’t miss out on the Early Bird rate and check out prices by ringing the hotel direct or checking online at deals via booking sites as sometimes it can work out cheaper than by booking it through LCI.

You don’t have to fill in flight details etc. at the time of booking the LCI events. This can be done much later. Staying at the Conference hotel means you have don’t have to walk anywhere to meet up with people… everything comes to you! It also means you can nip upstairs and put your flip flops on when your feet are killing you from all the dancing!

2. Make sure you join the Facebook group leading up to the current LCI AGM or MTM (Mid Term Meeting). It is really helpful because you can see who is going and what they actually look like. Any new information and advice will be placed on there too and you get the chance to chat and ask those questions you need to. You can also find out if anyone is on the same flight as you and arrange where to meet so you are not alone. Remember that you are never alone around friends.

The groups can be found on Facebook at:

AGM - lcgbi.agm

MTM - lcgbi.mtm

3. This is the bit that everyone is worried about so don’t be afraid to ask around! Most people go to the Opening Ceremony, Welcome Parade and/or Welcome Party on the first night, something that will take your breath away and gives you an amazing start to your LCI experience.

The following day is the AGM/MTM with lunch but you can just book in for the meeting for free.

Home Parties take place at AGM weekend in the evening, and these are brilliant. You hop on a bus and are taken to a fellow Circler’s home for the evening. Here you get to meet and chat with girls from all around the world in an informal small group and find out how much you have in common.

The final night is when the Gala Dinner takes place. Another fantastic occasion where you meet more girls while eating your meal and then catch up with the ones you met the night before.

Don’t worry - if you forget what you have booked, your itinerary will be on your pass that is given to you on registration when you arrive.

4. If you have any pin badges (your own or National Ones) take some to swap.

Put all regalia, including chains and dress chains, in your hand luggage in case it gets lost and put it out in the x-ray tray so they can see it as apparently lots of bars on chains can look like bullets on x-rays!

Take a small gift to give to your host at the Home Parties linked to where you come from e.g. Yorkshire tea and biscuits!

Bring in a bag of sweets to share and munch on with your fellow GB&I Circlers at the meeting to keep you going.

5. Be prepared for all weathers when packing. As luggage can get lost sometimes, I would suggest taking an outfit in your hand luggage just in case.

Finally, enjoy as you will never have another experience quite like this one and you will be hooked!

#InternationalFriendship

Dates For The Diary...

We may come from all corners of the globe, speak different languages and come from different cultures, but we all have one thing in common - we are all Ladies Circle members.

AGM – LAHTI, FINLAND MTM – LIEGE, BELGIUM

Want to be part of the international fun, friendship & fundraising, get yourself booked into one of the upcoming events:

JAIPUR, INDIA

August 24th-26th 2023

www.lci2023india.com

NUREMBERG, GERMANY

February 16th- 18th 2024

www.mtm2024.ladiescircle.de

Long Eton Ladies Circle

Get them Running shoes on Louise's Story

I’ve thought about doing a triathlon for a few years as I’ve enjoyed the separate elements. With a little encouragement from Emily I enrolled with eight week to train. Supporting and raising money for the Samarathon really motivated me to train often having one day a week off. As Jens charity for the year is the Nottingham hospice due to her friend’s mum Kate, who has secondary breast cancer, going regularly to the unit and my Dad receiving hospice care it was a privilege to support them.

Although the event was postponed until October I decided to go the distance on my own. I was blown away by the support from Long Eaton Ladies circle and Beeston Round table during the 400m swim, 16km bike and 5km run. I’ve been stunned by the generosity, support, especially to those who cheered/run along side me at 08:30 on Sunday, and by friends, family, Ladies’ circle and Beeston round table after we raised £500.

“I have thought long and hard about what to speak about here today. Over the past few years I have spoken publicly about body image in a post-Covid events industry, destroying imposter syndrome and the power of knowing one’s own strength…essentially just what it’s like to be a woman in 2023.

But why am I up here? How am I even up here?

Well, about six years ago, two very special women came to me at a kids’ party. I was terrified of kids’ parties…crippling social anxiety, low self-esteem, ‘the other parents will think I’m a crap mum’ - all of those things. They don’t know it but those two women changed my life that day, when they approached me and told me about Ladies Circle. Kirsty was membership officer at the time, I honestly can’t remember what Steph was - only that it was love at first sight! They said hello…and next thing I knew I was running social activities and involving myself as a key member of Lichfield Ladies Circle.

I was amazed - it was a diverse, hilarious, welcoming bunch of women and the activities were amazing. I could turn up on every other Tuesday night and just be ‘me’. For my entire life, I didn’t fit in…I was the fat one, the boring one, the fun sponge. Didn’t have many friends, and if I did, I changed something about myself for them. At 32 (ish!) I could finally be myself.

From then, my confidence grew. I continued to inwardly battle depression, binge eating disorder and imposter syndrome, but I began to talk about it and manage it.

The support from Circle is unconditional. You could have been a member for a day or a decade and still these amazing women are just there for you.

In 2018, after running a few half-marathons and with the running bug firmly cemented, I decided to enter the Manchester Marathon, and apply for a charity place for London for 2019. Shocker…I got in…

The support I had from Circle empowered me through months of crazy training, motivated me to raise more than £3,000 for Mind, and began to destroy my imposter syndrome. This girl could…

I almost didn’t finish Manchester…about 200m from the end - the longest ‘end’ ever…I spotted Kirsty and Steph. I cried, uncontrollably…the two women who had encouraged me to join Circle were there…just when I needed a little reminder of how far I’d come. How far Circle had pushed me, and nurtured me.

They were there in London too, but I sort of expected that from these crazy people!

I wasn’t done with running…I decided in 2020, it would be fun to run the virtual London marathon. I had 24 hours…Harriet, Steph, Kaye, Emma, some of our kids… came to support me as I ran laps of Lichfield to get me to my target.

I can’t say this enough, this group of women empower… somehow there is a magic within belonging to Circle in that you can do things you never thought you could do…you somehow like yourself more, respect yourself more, care for yourself more.

Since I joined circle I have had two promotions, bought a house, given birth to twins, won numerous awards at work and more importantly, learned to love myself and have pride in myself.

The ladies in my Circle lift each other up, celebrate successes and actually compliment each other. They understand when life is a bit crap, and celebrate when life is awesome.

I completed a mentoring program in 2021. My mentor happened to be a long time Tabler… so knew what I was on about when I said my ambition was to speak

Well, I’m Chair, so had to get up here anyway. Since I joined Circle I wanted to be Chair. Not just because I’m a control freak, but because I wanted to see everyone, connect with everyone. This year has probably been the biggest transition year Lichfield has had since I’ve been a member. Lots of longtime members have left, and newer members are joining. The diversity continues, and I took a moment at the Christmas party this year to look around our massive circle of dancing women to just celebrate us. Through COVID, in a cost of living crisis…I won’t pick on individual members as I know they won’t appreciate it - but seeing the growth in confidence, self-belief and self-esteem in some of the newer members just set me alight…the magic was still there and I see it empowering even prospective members now.

So, as I end this love letter to Circle, I persuade you all to reflect just for a moment, on what Circle has given you, and what your life would be like without Ladies Circle…if it didn’t exist? What sort of person would you be?”

I would just like to thank Michelle for allowing me to share her story - Stacey Humphries

Michelle, current Chair of Lichfield Ladies Circle, delivered a heart-warming and inspirational speech during their 70th Charter in February 2023.

Michelle’s inspirational speech

Circle News

Bicester Ladies Circle

We helped at the Fireworks by scanning tickets and moving fences around, we then had a Christmas crafting evening with a couple of prospects joining us.

A round-up of news from across the country

earned a return because we have grown from a Circle of two to a Circle of nine (a couple of inductions pending due to illness)… so it goes to show, a little bit of investment can go a long way if you jump out of the box.

E-Club Ladies Circle

E-Club had our wonderful National President, Fiona Bull, lead us in a rag wreathmaking workshop on 16th November. We had great fun, lots of laughs and managed to make something decentsee attached pictures. We're thinking of holding another in 2023 and anyone would be welcome to join us.

Boston Ladies Circle

It was an Autumn of future-proofing our Circle with new member inductions and an Autumn of celebration as we gathered to mark our 60th Charter which we missed during COVID.

In addition to a programme of events every fortnight, we have also held our first fundraiser since COVID and despite the arctic temperatures, we raised more than £150 and gave a small village a great afternoon of bingo and laughter (mostly at Michelle’s expense). We’re so excited for the Spring when we will be hosting our first Race Night and will be reaching out to local charities to build new partnerships.

Doncaster Ladies Circle

Money was raised through ticket sales and raffle tickets. Raffle prizes were kindly donated by local businesses.

Then we decorated our Ladies Circle Christmas tree.

This year we have our Chair's charity, and the link is below: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/blcchair2223?fbclid=IwAR3TghnxRfprrwrVEyS0VpNASp6mcwMzh6I9_ uYQO-JI_VGfQ1tingsV7VM

Our journey began with a new Members’ night in the Summer with a twist… of lime! Our cocktailmaking night was a huge success and so many new contacts were made, this was supported by our Membership grant and has really

We were super-busy at Doncaster this Autumn, using the following events to share friendship at a time when everyone needs it most: fundraising for the local food bank, a makeup masterclass, Remembrance Day parade, a visit to a recording studio where we made our own Christmas songs, our annual Christmas trip to London and our Charter night!

LISKEARD & LOOE VISIT TORQUAY

Sometimes it’s the small touches that mean the most. Our most southwesterly Area, Area 33, covers a lot of square miles and makes getting together hard but the members don’t give up.

During October, Lizzie Lay and Sabrina Doidge were on a spa weekend in Torquay and decided to meet up with the lovely Torquay Ladies Circle members for Sunday lunch.

It was a brilliant meal, and a lovely opportunity to talk about the Circles coming together more often.

From little acorns, friendships that span decades can be born!

LITTLEBOROUGH & AREA CIRCLE

On 19th November we hosted comedy drag artist Diva Chanel for an evening of laughter and dancing. We raised an incredible £1,361 for our Chair Michelle Plant's charity Jolly Josh.

The unbelievably talented Diva’s comedy drag show entertained an adoring audience with her hilariously witty stand-up and her mesmerising sass and beauty We can't thank you enough for putting on an unforgettable show, and all so we could raise money for such a deserving charity. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

On 1st and 2nd December, the exceptionally creative and talented Heidi Murphy held wreath- making workshops. Heidi has been running these for a few years now, and thanks to a failed foliage delivery, and some foraging by Heidi herself, this year was our most successful to date, raising £689.73 for Jolly Josh.

On 9th December VC Jenny Murray joined our local Round Table as they took Santa and his sleigh around the streets of Rochdale, collecting donations for the local food bank.

On 11th December we held a baby shower for two of our members who are (obviously) pregnant. Laura is due in January, and Harriet in April. Sadly, Harriet had to stay at home due to testing positive for Covid, but she was very much a part of it and received her gift and cards afterwards. It was a double blow not to have Harriet with us as it was due to be her last event with LALC before she moves down to London for her husband's new job. We wish Harriet all the love and luck in the world with the move and the new baby. We're working out which Circle might the nearest to where she is moving so LC don't lose her entirely!

Circle News

Redditch Ladies Circle

We ended the summer with a Gin Tour at the Shakespeare Distillery before entering Autumn which was highlighted by a spooky fancy dress party with the chair and our National President Fiona Bull!

After this, it was a hop and a jump to the big event - we danced the night away at the National Presidents’ (and Redditch Circler!) Ball-Bull. We were the ladies with the antlers making Fiona’s wish of having reindeer at the ball come true, sort of!

A round-up of news from across the country

And since the ball we’ve been busy out helping Redditch Round Table on their sleigh runs.

Our Vice-Chair Helen even took on the role of Santa for a few nights!

Wakefield Ladies Circle

During December, Wakefield Ladies Circle were little elves… they created a bag of goodies and dropped them off at our local Hospice for them to raffle/sell.

Then they wrapped well over 40 presents for TCD Care Leavers charity in Leeds and to finish off a great weekend,

Winchester Ladies Circle

After two years of an alternative, Covidfriendly Round Table fireworks event in Winchester, it was a pleasure to be back to normal this year!

Throughout October, Winchester LC met at a member's home on Sunday afternoons to process the online ticket sales. We packaged the wristbands with a programme and threw in a Ladies Circle leaflet (advertising a new Members’

Tindal Ladies Circle

On October 15th, Tindal Circle held our first ever ball! The theme was "Red & White" as we celebrated all things Canadian with our Canadian chair Ange. It was a night of maple syrup, Michael Bublé and, of course, it ended with Celine Dion. It was an amazing night and we raised more than £1,000 for our fantastic charity, Farleigh Hospice.

We've also been working with Chelmsford Circle and Chelmsford Round Table. We worked together at fireworks, laid wreaths together on Remembrance Sunday and got into the holiday spirit by going on a sleigh run.

We also attended the National President's ball and German Christmas market in Birmingham. We had a wonderful festive afternoon tea and met up for Christmas drinks at Apres Ski Lodges. This was all followed up by the Santa sleigh run with Round Table and left us all feeling very Christmassy!

they also created a ‘Guess the name of the bear’ activity for Star Bereavement, another local charity.

They also had their Winter social event at TagX which was a great way to come together and burn off some energy – it really hit the target!

evening in November) for good measure!

We processed 2,545 orders which equated to around 7,800 tickets for these Sunday sessions. Envelopes were posted all around the country from Cornwall to County Durham.

But our volunteering didn't end there! On Saturday 5th November we also ran the ticket collection booth for online sales. For this, we invited Fiona Bull, National President 2022-23, to come along to help. We were open from 10am until 6:30 pm

and distributed another 5,000 tickets. The queues were halfway up the High Street at one point!

Our hard work was rewarded when the ticket booth finally closed and some of us walked with the traditional torch-lit procession to get to the event site to watch the fantastic fireworks!

16,000 people attended the 2022 extravaganza, raising more than £80,000 for local charities!

Pop Your Conference Cherry!

A letter from a Conference Virgin... (TAKEN FROM CIRCLER ISSUE 16 - 2017)

Let me tell you a little about my history in Ladies Circle ...

I met the members of my lovely Circle, Tamworth, in October 2016 at a new member event! I managed to get to a couple of events over Christmas with them.

But what really made my decision for conference happened over a couple of days at the beginning of February...

On 2nd February we held an indulgence night in Tamworth. I was very privileged to meet Alex, our now Past President... as she stood and spoke to me about the reasons she circles and how important it is too her - a light-bulb turned on that I definitely wanted to be part of something!

The next night, I supported my Circle and Table with the Spirit of Tamworth awards - recognising local individuals and groups in our community.

The very next morning woke up and booked Conference!

Why? Because I wanted to see the bigger picture that Alex had explained to me and also hear about all the things Circlers have achieved!

Fifty-two days after booking conference I became an official member of my Circle! YES I booked conference before I joined Circle!

Just over 30 days later, my amazing Circle and I arrived at Stratford-upon-Avon for this year’s event. From walking into the lobby and seeing a mass of Circle and Round Table logos I felt safe!

From Friday at fancy dress to Sunday at check-out... I think every conversation started with the same opening! 'What Circle/Table are you from? How long have you been a member?' I said a month ... now I thought people would laugh and dismiss me but NO! I’ve been taught about international travel and home hosting, to ideas for fundraising, and learnt more about the structure of OUR family.

Fiona and team did an amazing job all weekend keeping us entertained ... but I wanted to quickly mention one part that I wasn’t sure I would enjoy. The AGM!

If partying isn’t you for then the AGM should still be a must on your calendars!

To hear about the achievements of Ladies Circle - from individual Circlers, Circles, Areas and even nationally... was inspiring!

To say goodbye and thank you to the amazing national team and welcome in the new one means now know the aims and motivations behind our new President and her team.

And VOTING! This made me feel like it was OUR organisation! That we are ALL shaping the future and together are making decisions to make Ladies Circle even more amazing!

Before went to Conference I had not met a Circler outside of my group, I knew nobody from Area and had only met Alex from National, at Conference spoke to other Circlers in varies roles and areas, Tangent members all bursting with energy to tell me there’s somewhere for me after Circle and lots of Tablers - who offered ideas and services to help me and my Circle grow...now I feel a part of that bigger picture! Inspired and ready for our new year!

As soon as I had the details I booked in for Conference next year, I knew I needed another weekend of fancy dress, pretty dresses (worn or observed) and amazing company... really hope to see a lot of you at Chester 2018.

Shelley Johnson, Tamworth LC

We Are Family

Another fabulous event saw RTBI host the CEETM at Nottinghama great party which shows that international Tabling is in safe hands.

The South East Regional Tangent Lunch was a great event and once more all four Presidents got together to celebrate the day.

Read on for messages from the National Presidents for 2022-23

Hi All, It is lovely to be able to put an article into your magazine.

This year, Fiona and with the other Round Table Family Presidents have tried hard to work together. So far, we have all taken part in the Tangent challenge to try to break a Guinness World Record for making the most cups of tea in one hour. We needed to make 1874 cups but sadly we missed out by just 72 cups. Our disappointment was lessened by the opportunity to speak to HRH The Princess Royal about my charity Reengage, which helps to prevent loneliness in the elderly and the Round Table Family.

41 Club’s Challenge was to set a world record travelling around all the Scottish Football League clubs in the shortest time. Our world record has been verified and confirmed. I was also able to attend the National Craft Weekend which was arranged by Ladies Circle, where Tangent and Ladies Circle joined

AGORA CLUB UK

together to learn lots of new crafting skills - congratulations to all the organizing committee on arranging such a variety of crafts for us to try.

It was a very proud moment to be able to stand with the Round Table family at the Cenotaph for the Remembrance Sunday parade, where each National President laid a wreath on behalf of our respective Associations. This was truly a moment where we all stood together as one. I also had the opportunity to attend Fiona’s Christmas Ball, what a great night! We all got into the Christmas spirit, celebrated together, and raised money for The Samaritans. am looking forward to the Ladies Circle and Round Table Challenges, which are yet to come, and continuing to work together with the Presidents. I am also very much looking forward to joining you all at your National Conference in Blackpool in May 2023.

Yours in Continuous Friendship

Heather Parry Tangent National President 2022/23

We are pleased to report that our newest Agora Club UK 6 Northwich & District chartered during a Round Table Celebration evening event, with a few of our National Board members travelling to attend the party. We’re always ready to welcome the creation of new clubs and members, so please get in touch if you’d like to find out more AgoraclubUK@outlook.com.

It has been an amazing last three months full of side-by-side activities for the Round Table Family. My Presidential Ball had a James Bond 007 theme and I was delighted that Heather, Matt and Fiona joined me for the event.

Fiona became a World Record Holder and now has her name in lights in the World Record Holders’ Republic Registry. Heather, Fiona, Wynn and myself set the World Record for visiting all 40 Scottish Football League stadiums in just 25 hours 32 minutes on behalf of the Round Table Family.

The highlight of any President’s year is to lay the wreath at the Cenotaph. It was a solemn yet rewarding moment, which will stay with us for a lifetime.

Santa crashed the Ladies Circle National Exec meeting to bring chocolates and a bottle of 41 Club Pink Gin to all those naughty girls, or did they say that they were good girls, Santa can’t remember!

Fiona Bull’s Presidential Ball was attended by all four Presidents and what an exceptional event it was with its Christmas theme and amazing fellowship.

It was also the first time ever that the Lamb Christmas Lunch had been attended by all four Presidents. Despite the rail strike, it was a fabulous that the Round Table Family came together to celebrate this traditional festive fayre.

Jim Conway - 41 Club National President 2022-23

Table Talk

It’s been another great few months for RTBI. In particular, since I last wrote, we have had both Fireworks and Santa’s Sleigh seasons. These two events are highlights of the Round Table year and I was delighted to attend a variety of events around the country supporting local Tables while witnessing how well and closely so many of them work with their local ladies Circle.

I have also continued to head out side-by-side to a host of events with Fiona. We are stronger when we work together and it has been a real pleasure of mine to build a strong partnership with Fiona and her team as we have travelled. In many cases this has included our counterparts from the rest of the Round Table Family - demonstrating that this wonderful movement continues long after we reach 45.

The Table year ahead looks very strong - am particularly looking forward to my ball in Bath in a few weeks but there is so much more happening (this has happened so maybe change it to “I recently had my ball in Bath which was a fantastic evening and the rest of the Table year looks very strong.”. We will be joining you for conference in Blackpool, which is shaping up to be a fantastic location. It might not have been our first choice - but after incredibly hard work from the conference committee, it is certainly the right choice. Well done to all of the organising team.

We are continuing to recruit new members all over the country and regularly receive enquiries via the website and through our socials - please do like and share anything you see as it all helps. Your growth supports our growth and vice versa.

It’s not long now until my year ends - it has been a fantastic experience and I am incredibly proud of the work we have done supporting men’s mental health alongside CALM. They have been an incredible charity partner and their words of advice, education and stories have supported a wide variety of members. look forward to continuing that work over the months ahead and seeing the positive impact it has on us all.

Matt Fallon National President RTBI

2022-2023

We are proud to be part of the Round Table Five-Club Family

If you are over 18, we have a place for you.