Tabler Magazine - Summer / Autumn 2022

BLER Thank you Ma’am Summer/Autumn 2022 www.roundtable.co.uk

Gents, This issue is a little later than planned due to the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who we wanted to recognise. In particular she exemplified commitment to service - something all Tablers strive for. Thank you Ma'am.

EDITORIAL TEAM

My original introduction for this issue was written on the way back from NSW.

EDITOR & NATIONAL COMMS OFFICER

What a great weekend – the usual balance of fun and competitiveness that make table such an incredible organisation.

Adam Baggs (Cirencester 286) media@roundtable.org.uk

DEPUTY EDITOR

Tom Hall (www.newwordorder.org.uk)

DESIGNER

Clare Ferris (clar3ferris@gmail.com)

Speaking of incredible, this issue is once again rammed with stories of the amazing work you do – as well as a number of inspirational stories. I would particularly like to draw you attention to the results of our Impact Study – the figures and the stories are exactly what Table is all about.

Your National President, Matt Fallon has this year partnered with CALM so we have included some sage thoughts and advice from them on the subject of relationships. Input from CALM will be an ongoing feature across the year.

Fireworks season is not far off – so please make sure you fill out the insurance forms on Tabler.World.

Finally, you might have noticed that you are reading this on a revamped roundtable.co.uk website. It was the first big thing I wanted to put in place in my role as Comms Officer as it acts as the hub for all potential enquiries and should therefore be full of rich and interesting content – please send me plenty more to keep it regularly updated.

That’s it from me – I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at CEETM.

Baggsie

Contents Queen of Our Hearts.................................. 4

TABLE NEWS

From the President.................................... 11 Impact Report............................................ 17 Skinflint Returns...................................... 21 Membership Officer.................................. 26 Programme and Retention Officer........... 27

INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS

Dot Lung.................................................... 29 Like Father, Like Son................................ 32

STUFF WE COULDN'T NAME!

Web3.......................................................... 35 Gadget Roundup....................................... 38 Music Review............................................. 40 When Relationships Break Down............ 42

TRAVEL & EVENTS

IRO............................................................ 45 Dutch Courage.......................................... 46 NSW.......................................................... 48 National Events Officer............................. 49 CEETM...................................................... 50

ROUND TABLE FAMILY

RTCW....................................................... 52 41 Club....................................................... 54 Ladies Circle.............................................. 56 Members Businesses'................................. 57

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From the editor

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QUEEN OF OUR HEARTS It is with great sorrow that RTBI learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Thank you Ma’am, the whole world will greatly miss your influence, spirit and determination.

The thoughts of Round Table Great Britain & Ireland are with her family, the Commonwealth and all those who mourn her passing.

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She was an inspiration to all and a lifelong example of service to the world and the many communities she impacted. We are grateful for all the support she has shown over the years and deeply saddened by her passing.

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ON DUTY As many of you know, our very own Captain Chris Bush, of the Adjutant General Corps, played a part on the day of Her Majesty’s funeral. In his own words…

How to begin. How can I put into words the magnitude of the emotion, pain, honour, and pride I have felt over the last 10 days?

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About a year ago I saw an email asking for volunteers for Operation London Bridge, I gladly put my name down on the list of potential candidates, as one does, and promptly forgot all about it. In the past, I had equally been on the official volunteer list for Prince Phillip's funeral, so it was nothing out of the ordinary for Defence to prepare (after all she was 96).

But as shocked as we all were to hear the news of Her Majesty’s passing, it was only surpassed by receiving a call to say “come

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into work first thing Saturday morning, you need to be in London asap.” There began the most important mission of my career, an opportunity to officially represent my Regiment at the Queen's funeral.

Seldom in life will such fleeting moments stay with you for a lifetime, but it dawned on me at that moment, that I would be the last Officer of my Cap-badge to salute the Queen.

You cannot overstate the magnitude of 4.1bn viewers choosing to spend the last journey with Her Majesty; a monarch, a leader, a mother, or simply just our Queen, over half of all the people alive in the world (51.4%) watched her final journey to Windsor for their own reasons.

As you can imagine, this was rather nerve-wracking, and I take my hat off to the pallbearers who truly had the most intimidating job.

After 9 days of extensive training, repetition, repetition, and even more repetition, we were ready on the morning of D+10. Leading my contingent toward the long walk I allowed myself to soak up the atmosphere as much as I could without losing composure. The solemness of the band was countered with the joy and support from the crowd seeing our approach. We began our long wait until the hearse and procession came into sight.

Ordering a Royal Salute and seeing the Queen's coffin only 2ft away, my chest nearly burst with the pride and honour I was trying to contain in that fleeting moment.

The reality of this moment hasn’t had a chance to develop yet, but I believe that every member of the Armed Forces that day paid a fitting tribute in the only way we can, to recognise her lifetime's devotion, to mourn our loss and to immortalise her significance in our lives.

Rest in peace, Your Majesty.

Long live the King.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE QUEENS PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS Past National President, Marcus Jones reflects on a truly memorable weekend earlier in 2022.

But of course, the main event was to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Our Late Majesty the Queen, she smiled with that sparkle and warmth whilst she watched one of her favourite past-times, her love of

horses.

To be invited to the Royal Box was something I will never forget, it was a real honour to share with my partner Jane, Past President Bruce Bennett, and Lynn.

We were treated and spoiled at the highest level and made to feel very special.

It was especially poignant this year after loosing my mother who was devoted to the Queen all of her life and would have been proud of the fact such an invite had been received.

That is why this last weekend we also queued 14 hours to pay respects to simply one of the greatest leaders of the modern era, Her Majesty Elizabeth The Great (my personal title for her)! I think we could all agree on her impact on all of our lives.

THANK YOU MA’AM,

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The Platinum Jubilee Celebration within Windsor Castle this summer witnessed over 500 horses and 1,000 performers create a 90-minute piece of spellbinding arena theatre that included actors and artists, musicians, international military displays from the Commonwealth and Europe, even our own Armed Forces, dancers and global equestrian displays performed live to an audience of over 5,000 each of the four nights.

The production took the audience on a gallop through history from Elizabeth I to the present day. With moments of humour, great theatricality, pomp and pageantry, this was a spectacle like none other. Leading the narrative was ‘The Queen’s Players’, a group of actors and artists especially brought together for the event and based on the travelling players of the Elizabethan period. With some of the UK’s greatest performers a part of the troupe, the audience was in safe hands as the show unfurled to an amazing array of artillery displays at speed, horses & riders from all over the world showing their expertise.

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A LIFETIME OF SERVICE

The Disaster Emergency Committee

Britain’s longest serving monarch helped raise more than $2 billion for over 600 nonprofits, working tirelessly as a supporter and patron of charities and organisations across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

The Royal College of Nursing The Queen first became involved with this organisation in during World War II and was instrumental in opening a new library for the group the next year.

The British Red Cross

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Taking up patronage way back in 1949, Elizabeth II’s influence and donations helped support disasters and tragedies including a recent package for the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal and the Tonga earthquake appeal in 2022.

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charities during times of international crisis.

"In giving her support to DEC appeals," wrote Saleh Saeed, the group's chief executive officer, on the organisation's website, "Her Majesty not only helped personally, but also inspired countless others to offer their own help and let people know that even in their darkest times, she and many others across the UK, care and are there for them."

Shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Queen made a private donation to help Ukraine and its refugees. Known as the DEC, the organisation coordinates fundraising efforts for 15 of Britain's top

"During her reign the Queen visited nursing staff in hospitals and in the community, taking the time to speak to them and to listen to their experiences," Pat Cullen, chief executive for the Royal College of Nursing, said in a statement on the group's website. "She saw nursing evolve from World War Two and the Blitz to the dynamic and modern profession it is today."

The organisation represents nearly a half million nurses, student nurses and nursing support workers in the United Kingdom and internationally, campaigning to raise the profile — and the working conditions — of the nursing community.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: TABLERS’ REFLECTIONS We caught up with some Round Table members to get their personal reflections

Buckingham Palace as the new president of RTBI, I jumped at the chance. Little did I know that the event on May 15, 2018 would be the last one any President of RTBI would attend. There were literally thousands of guests from all over the country and it was incredibly humbling to speak with some of them and hear of the

many different reasons they were there.

It was an honour and a privilege to have been invited in the first place and for Her Majesty to open up her home and garden to all of us was a real testament to her bond with the people. She truly was an inspiration to us all.

.

Dickie Holland - When I was invited to Her Majesty The Queen's garden party at

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Ash Gardner - Attending HRHs platinum jubilee was one of the most special moments I've had in table. It makes me proud to be part of our wonderful movement and was one of many 'once in a lifetime' 'money can't buy' experiences afforded by Table

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table news

It's Time Matt Fallon, our National President, gives his Tabler issue update, on time The challenge now is to build on these strong foundations and I have all the confidence that the Board of 2022/23 will deliver.

I’m excited to see how the ambitious plans of the National Board play out alongside my theme of ‘It’s Time’.

But what does that mean?

It’s designed to create a sense of urgency amongst us all.

It’s time to put on the events you’ve spoken about for 2 years…

talk, listen, provide support and sign posting to support organisations where required.

It’s time to change up your programme and do new things.

Dare to be different!

Our support from CALM this year will be at the centre of my messaging so that no member of Round Table should ever feel alone.

It’s time to not be scared to invite. The young men within our communities need what Table can offer them.

And, It’s Time to talk openly about “Man Matters”. To not be afraid to reach out and

Have a fantastic year gentlemen!

Matt matt.fallon@roundtable.org.uk 07970 227 2707

RTBI is without doubt in a strong place administratively and much of this started with Paul, four years ago. Paul was ably supported by Chris Marshall and Steve Eccles and I am very lucky to have these fine Tablers on the Board for another 12 months.

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I have to start my article by thanking my predecessor, Paul Thompson. His tenure as President was filled with positive messaging surrounding our communities and the role we play within them.

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Conference and Ball in pictures Conference 2022 in Birmingham, and its accompanying ball seem a dim and distant memory but they were yet another great opportunity to catch up with fellow Tablers, get an in-depth update from the Board and look to the future.

Guests included members of the whole Round Table UK Family as well as overseas visitors.

Full details of “the business” end of the day can of course be found in the AGM minutes, so we won’t go over them again here. However, of note are the following:

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• Matt Fallon took over the role of National President from Paul Thompson

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• Chris Bush was elected to the role of National Vice President • Mike Round was awarded a coveted Marchesi Medal in recognition of his incredible work supporting our organisation • Conference 2023 will take place in Liverpool – tickets are already selling fast so make sure you book in

Award Winners The Vaughan Harris Award Great Dunmow Round Table.

Honorary Member of the Year David Smith from Chester Grosvenor Round Table.

Danish Axe Award DJ Williams from Ilfracombe Round Table.

Membership Award Ilkley and District Round Table.

Community Award Area 44.

Programme Award Coventry Round Table.

Media and PR Award Area 36.

Michael Smith Award Joel Keeble from Harleston and District Round Table.

Chairman of the Year Award Steven Morley from Penistone Round Table.

Tabler of the Year Award Mark Sephton from Deeside Round Table

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Past President’s Pot Mike Round

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Paul Thompson’s final words before stepping dow n were that: “Somewhere inside us all is power to change the world”

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TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

Community OfFIcers Report

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Fellow Tablers, on the ks to reflect upon my first 12 months wee of ple cou a k too I r, yea le Tab As we flew into a new National Board. longer to settle d Board. It possibly took me a little ishe abl est ady alre an join to is y uall the board quickly I underestimated how daunting it act le longer to get rolling than I would have hoped. However, the guys on a litt than I thought it would, and I took the fold. into me which you became friends and welcomed lar our story-based Impact Report, ticu par in r yea last rd Boa a as d we achieve I can look back with pride at what sday Tabler! If not... read on!.

Tue in d eive d over should have all recently rec raised just shy of £4m and contribute had we t tha In ! tell to s new d goo I had Standing at AGM was terrifying, but e! tim g erin to good causes 157,000 hours of volunte k we do and the donations we make wor the of act imp ial soc the at look d on as we that, is something I aim to continue to buil t But it’s time now to dig deeper into tha and ort Rep t pac Im d goo y is of a ver rictions for several years! around the country. We have the bas first full year with (hopefully) no rest the and – r yea le Tab l sfu ces suc y ding and how look forward to another ver g, tell us about the events you are hol doin are you k wor the ut abo us tell les to So, the work starts now, I ask all Tab e to tell those stories. We are an awesome organisation, let’s tell people. tim It’s ity. mun of it are very they impact your local com ed for. The stories that have come out hop e hav ld cou I n tha ter bet h was muc The outcome of the Impact Report e our organisation actually is. som awe Table. What an powerful and showcase how awards, hosted by Tamworth Round th wor Tam of rit Spi the to ted invi g the night split Meanwhile, I had the pleasure of bein work that is done in the local community, and also raising £2,000 on tastic event that was, celebrating the fan t puts Table between RTCW and CALM. Tamworth guys. This is something tha the h wit t cha a e hav t, hos to nt some eve If anyone wants an idea of an awe ity. mun com r Let’s have a right into the heart of you innovative ideas Tables come up with! and new t wha and gs brin r yea this new I’m looking forward to seeing what good one!

Al Collins

IMPACT REPORT We are far more than we ever realised... and here is the proof In 2021...

I am sure almost all Tablers have been asked some version of - why Round Table / what do you actually do?

RTBI members raised and distributed in excess of £3,955,000 They contributed over: 157,780 volunteer hours (valued at a further £2,516,591) This means the total funds raised and volunteered by you in 2021 were in excess of £6,471,000 What an incredible achievement!

Last year your National Council signed off a proposal by the Board to conduct an external review of Round Table’s impact.

The report is done, the results are in and the facts, figures and stories behind them are nothing short of amazing. The full report is saved in the resources section of Tabler.World, it shows not just the incredible work that you all do, but also the impact you have on your communities and each other. It is a clear demonstration of the value of Table and what it means to be a member.

What else does the report tell us?

Of particular interest are the 20 stories, which

were created through interviews with individual Tablers. They are incredibly personal, real life stories about what Tabling means and I urge you to take the time to read them, as well as the conclusions drawn by the researcher, who at one point says describes Table as an "amazing national asset."

• It’s about friendship and banter It is wonderful to see and hear about an organisation so committed to being human

A few other one liners from the report include:

• Probably the best thing I have ever done

• We build better lives and communities

• The existence of Table made the difference in choosing to continue with life rather than to end it

• The value is monumental across lives, families and generations

• It boosts your wellbeing • Deep camaraderie and widespread care for community

• Can’t recommend it enough

Over the next few pages and next few issues we will explore these stories in more detail starting with:

• An organisation with loyal, able, committed and connected members

Raz from Lytham’s Story - It's Not What You Think

• There is always someone there if you need them

Andy from Thornbury’s Story - Rooted in Community

• It binds people in the best way

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Well, it turns out… quite a lot actually!

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Andy from Thornbury’s Story - Rooted in Community Andy moved to his Table area around four and half years ago. He had a quite clear ambition for the way he wanted his life to be, and that was in a community. He explained that he wanted to be able to walk down the street, walk into the local pub and to know at least one person. He wanted to have that sense of belonging that comes with friends and familiarity, from having people to talk to and to lend a hand if the occasion requires along with knowing you would do the same for them

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As it turned out his Father-in-Law had been Round Table member, but Andy hadn’t known until he made the choice to reach out to a group of Tablers at his local Fireworks Display. “They were doing something good, putting on the display for the whole community, collecting funds to give to other local groups and they just looked like they were having the best time” And that is how Andy was able to achieve his ambition in no time at all.

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After making contact Andy went along to meet everyone and was soon a full member and taking a more and more active role.

“We do the big events that I suppose people are aware of, things like Fireworks and Sleigh but we also do lots of smaller things that mean a lot to us as Tablers but maybe people aren’t so familiar with. During lockdown when restrictions had lifted a little, we started meeting up in our local park, meeting at benches two meters apart – a couple of times we had a beer and some cheese. It was about having a break, taking some time and looking out for each other.

More recently we’ve been doing some night

walks along country lanes, again they are absolutely brilliant. Might be just six or seven of us, not the whole Table, but we see some amazing things and we get time to talk.

“We all know about the issues around men’s mental health and I know for a fact the difference it has made for several of our members that there is always someone there if you need them.”

I think the fact that we invited a specialist in wellbeing and mental health to talk to our whole group on Zoom during the early days of COVID really helped us all open up and be able to talk about stuff when it matters.

We all know about the issues around men’s mental health and I know for a fact the difference it has made for several of our members that there is always someone there if you need them. We do have a laugh, we do go to the pub but it’s about so much more than that.”

Pints Plasters & Poppadoms Beyond talking about mental health and wellbeing Andy and other Tablers got to thinking about how else they might support the men in their community in other ways and once again in true Table fashion came up with a brilliant mix of fun, camaraderie and practical help in the form of Pints, Plasters and Poppadum’s!

A special evening to learn about first aid for babies and young children with curry and a beer thrown in for good measure – other drinks were available and only after the practical session was complete! The evening was held with the support of the local landlady and funded by the Table who have since gone on to also fundraise for, and place, two additional defibrillators within their local community (at the local pub and

local shop). Working to save lives is not necessarily what you think of when someone mentions the Round Table but in this case the work quite literally is.

“Many of us Tablers are young Dads so it was brilliant to be able to learn really valuable lifesaving skills but to be able to share that with other Dads in our community was also great. We learnt and we had such a laugh at the same time. We’ll be doing the same again this year but we’ll need a slightly bigger venue – we didn’t expect so many to get involved. It’s an important lesson, never underestimate men!”

Raz has his wife to thank for his involvement in the Round Table and for the huge change it has brought to his and his family’s life. She rang the local number, explained that she thought her husband might be interested in joining (said nothing to him), which led to a text message invitation and decision that has literally changed his life at pretty much every level.

Raz’s wife was worried about him, he was increasingly depressed and struggling with a range of challenges he couldn’t see past.

“I had to do something, I was really worried about him, he was getting lower and lower and I just thought I have to try something.”

As a first generation immigrant from Pakistan he was experiencing a number of difficulties, racism was very common and very direct, even at work he found himself challenged. And he was without many of the normal support mechanisms that people might use to get them through. His wife and children were amazing but the rest of

his family were in Pakistan and he had only one other friend who had also come from Pakistan to talk to outside his immediate home.

Raz himself says “I was the one laughing at these guys, dressed up, taking a sleigh round the streets at Christmas. I had no idea what they were all about.”

“I had to do something, I was really worried about him, he was getting lower and lower and I just thought I have to try something.”

Everything changed dramatically though as Raz was introduced to the Round Table in his area. Given the invitation he decided to

reach out and give it a try. You might say on the basis that he had nothing to really lose.

“It was hard to walk into that room the first time, but the guys were great, so friendly and welcoming Now he talks with huge warmth and appreciation for this group of men who have become friends and who continue to support him on a daily basis.

“There are about thirteen members in our Table, they are all friends but I’d say I’m close friends with four of them, which includes families going on trips together and knowing they are there for me no matter what. And I’m sure they know that I am there for them too” “We’ve all gone through tough times, but they were made easier because the Tablers were there for each other, there to listen but also to lend a hand in practical situations. I know this isn’t the common view of the Round Table, it’s seen as a very white organisation running Beer Festivals and Fun Runs but it is so much more. It has made an incredible difference to me and I know other Tablers feel the same the friendship, the acceptance and the sense

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Raz from Lytham’s Story - It's Not What You Think

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of belonging have been amazing and I’d encourage anyone to think about joining. It’s a brilliant social space for genuine friendship and support, it has helped me with work, encouraged me to achieve more but it also does amazing things for charity and to support our community.”

I ask about the Santa’s Sleigh, “Are you still laughing at them?”

Raz smiles broadly and admits it is one of his favourite parts of being a Round Table member and proudly explains that Helpers just used to put a Santa’s Hat on. Now Raz is involved its full costumes with him affectionately named Chief Elf.

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There is a lot of laughter in our conversation but it is really clear to see that this young dad, doing everything he can to support

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his family and give back to his community, has faced some terrible times and that his mental health has suffered. Too many stories like this end badly, but for Raz, and thanks to his wife too, this version is so much more positive. Through connection, friendship, helping others, working in the community and being part of something bigger, everything is a whole lot better. There is a lesson there for lots of other organisations and institutions. It is in friendship, connection, laughter and understanding and working to help others we build better lives and communities.

Raz also sits on the National Council of The Round Table UK & Ireland while continuing to spread positive energy and effort in his local area.

“It’s a brilliant social space for genuine friendship and support, it has helped me with work, encouraged me to achieve more but it also does amazing things for charity and to support our community.”

SkinFLint returns After an unreal response to Skinflint 2021 Coventry 23 Round Table knew that it would be a tall order to match it for another UK-based rally in 2022, Al Collins tells Tabler Skinflint has been a resounding success for RT with high expectations.

It all started with a good old fashioned Table night out in Wrexham on the Thursday, a few beers and loads of camaraderie.

The Friday morning most of us were in the car park at the Premier Inn ready to roll.

When I say most, I mean that we had received a WhatsApp from the Blackburn Table guys to say their MX5 had broken down on the way to the start line! In true Top Gear fashion we set off. We had miles to cover and we

couldn’t afford to lose time waiting for people! They did catch us up later in the day though.

The weekend went by without a hitch for most teams, the Professional Strugglers in the P38 Range Rover had more issues than most, but then, they did take a Range Rover!. They documented their whole trip for their YouTube Channel, just search Professional Strugglers.

The roads in Wales are spectacular, the scenery is just beautiful, and the weather was untypically nice for Wales until we were on the road to Cardiff!

On arrival in Cardiff we held our Awards Dinner, where we

announced that the winners were Melton Mowbray Round Table in their Pork Pie inspired Mondeo! I have no idea how many pork pies they had in the cool box but they were amazing.

We are still waiting for the final fundraising totals to come in, but at the time of writing we are over £12,000 raised! Just by a bunch of guys driving stupid cars and having a great time.

If you are thinking of joining us next year I can tell you that we are finally heading back across to Europe, driving to Austria to take on the Grossglockner High Alpine pass. Head over to the Facebook page for more info.

Thanks to everyone who has embraced this mad event in the last 4 years we have been running it. We have had some amazing laughs and raised over £60,000 for many different charities across the country.

Get yourselves involved.

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We had just shy of 100 guys in 2021, raising £35,000 in the process. We knew that COVID ending and people being desperate to just get out would have played a part, so we were under no illusions that a rally in Wales in 2022 would be a tough sell. However, we had 40 odd participants in some awesome looking cars ready to hit the road in June.

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10,000 reasons Redditch 181 were asked to help with local(ish) event, the Timberhonger 10k race. The charity race not only covers the 10k route around Timberhonger lane, Bromsgrove, but also includes a 5k route and two childrens fun runs! Andy Norris, IPC Redditch 181, tells all.

The organisers were aware their local Table was struggling and so reached out to us to see if we could assist in some small way and four of us were free, so of course we would help. But would four people be enough?

The team that ran the event had a few other groups put forward marshals during the day but a number of these would be competing in the main races so they needed us to help man crossing points, marshal the kids route and just do whatever was asked of us through the day.

Knowing we had four members available and everyone else we asked was busy the call went out to a wider group. We asked the entire Round Table Family for help, expecting we may get one or two helpers, but what we got was more than we could have hopped for.

Daniel White from Barry RT came to our aid. What can we say about this man? Well, words do not do him justice! Daniel came all the way to us from Barry, South Wales, and on the way he managed to stop off at HQ and get Feather banners and a gazebo to help us spread the word of Table and have more of a presence than just turning up to help.

We just had a debrief after the event and all our members wanted to thank him for what he did,

not only turning up and being a true Tabler, but all the little extra things he did. He was everywhere, from running with the kids to encourage them, to getting us Calypos from seemingly thin air during the awesome heat we simply cannot believe someone is willing to do that, and yes, we are Tablers ourselves.

Daniel has blown our minds with what Fellowship is, and can be, and what it really means to #DoMore.

We all know great Tablers: awesome members that embody the true spirit of Tabling amongst our communities and areas, but we have never met anyone that is so passionate about it that even the most avid Tabler amongst us said: “Daniel is like all of us combined, dialled up to 11!”

It was a proper honour to work the event and see what RTBI members can do when they all pull together.

YiT

Andy Norris IPC Redditch 181

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How could we say no? Well, with the amount of numbers we had available to help, you could have easily said no, particularly when you factor in the fact it was an event that is not even held in our town.

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ROUND TABLE RELIC, RESTORED A forgotten artefact of Round Table Norwich has had new lease of life, as John Ragan reports Back in the late 1970’s the members of Norwich Round Table Number One decided to have a Past Chairman’s display board made up. As you will see they included all the past Chairmen going right back to the first ever Round Table Chairman in 1927 “Bernard Durrant”.

This display board sat, for many years, on the wall of the Round Table room in the upstairs of the Louis Marchesi PH in Norwich along with many other Round Table display items.

However, things move on and the Pub is once again named the Louis Marchesi and is used by Table for its meetings so the current members have now updated this wonderful display board and plan to put it back on the pub wall for all to see.

John Ragan, Norwich RT No1 & Norwich 41 Club Archivist and Historian Regards

John Ragan

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However, when the pub closed down and changed its name around twenty years ago the board was put into storage and has not been seen since that time.

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We'll drink to that!

This month saw the return of the North Walsham Round Table Beer Festival, after a two-year hiatus it was bigger and better than ever before

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“By 2019 our festival had outgrown its previous home, and so one advantage of Covid19 was that it gave us a bit of time to find a new venue and plan for how we could take the festival to a new level,” explained festival founder, Trevor Ivory.

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“When we started the festival back in 2013 we had 12 beers and a couple of ciders, and saw a couple of hundred people come through the door over the weekend, making a few hundred pounds for charity.

Eight festivals later and our new larger venue meant that this year we offered 70 different beers and 15 ciders, a prosecco bar, and multiple food outlets. As a result we welcomed several thousand people through the door and have made the best part of £15,000 for charity.”

Visitors to the festival included Tablers from across Norfolk, the local MP (and former Round Tabler) Duncan Baker, and North Walsham’s Lioness star,

Lauren Hemp. The festival also saw a visit from Norwegian Table President Ole Martin Holthe, as part of his cycling tour of the UK and lastly our own National VP, Christopher Bush The money raised comes at an important time, as Trevor explained: “After two years without the beer festival our charity account was looking seriously depleted as we have continued to support the local community during an extraordinarily difficult time.

Raising such a big sum of money is great result, giving us a muchneeded top-up of funds to ensure that we can continue to support the town and surrounding villages.

“The festival has also been an important part of our recruitment of new members for several years now, and we had five or six expressions of interest over the festival weekend so we are looking forward to welcoming some new guests to our next meeting.”

Ruislip Round Table 124's Orchyd Camp 2022 Over the weekend of 6-7 August, Ruislip Round Table 124 organised and hosted a camp for a number of children with disabilities. This event formed part of the unbelievable work carried out by another local Ruislip charity called Orchyd.

I also wanted to thank Al Collins, National Community Officer at Round Table Great Britain and Ireland who attended the camp and helped run a number of the activities during the weekend. I hope you saw the Facebook live stream that Al did with Tom which gave some more information on the event.

Orchyd is a charity which provides an annual residential holiday for children with disabilities, with the aim to produce an unforgettable ten days in August for children around the UK. This year Orchyd was able to provide this action packed ten days, full of adventures and fun for 10 children.

We also had a local farm attend with a selection

Richard Maddy of animals which the children could feed and interact with.

We were also extremely proud to welcome our local mayor, the Mayor of Hillingdon. The camp was a huge success and we are pleased to be able to say that we received amazing positive feedback from Orchyd and many other individuals that volunteered over the course for the weekend.

Although this was not the first year that the camp has formed part of the children’s exciting ten days, this was the first year that Ruislip Round Table 124 had organised and hosted the camp. I would especially like to thank Tom

Bevan, Alex Richiardi and Danny King who formed the organising committee for this event. Without their hard work, determination, desire and organisation skills, I am not sure we as a Table would have been able to deliver this camp as successfully as we did.

This was my first camp and I must say what a humbling and emotional experience it was. To see these children to be able to take part in activities such as a zip wire, which they may never have had the opportunity to before, really does make you realise the work we do as the Round Table, really is so worthwhile.

Ruislip Round Table 124 Chairman

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

Therefore, the Ruislip Round Table welcomed 10 children to our Superhero themed camp this year. The children were able to take part in a number of activities over the weekend including an aerial runway, a swing boat, garden games such as snakes and ladders and skittles, a water game station and sensory tent. We were also extremely pleased to welcome both the Police, who brought a police dog and police motorbike that the children could sit on, and the Fire Brigade who brought a fire engine to the site that the children could sit in.

If you do want to get involved in future camps, please contact us at ruisliproundtable124@gmail.com.

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Same old table or time to make a change? an increasingly community focused Table which became nationally engaged. It’s August 2022 and I feel we have reached another crossroads, as we plan for the future with a new bunch of guys who hold the future of my Table in their hands.

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It’s a time of reflection for Andrew Thorne, Carrick 1258, Membership & Extension Officer RTBI

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Why am I in Round Table? I’m not sure if it is because I’m reflecting on my past 15 years in the association, or because I can increasingly see the rapid changes in society and social attitudes and keep asking myself as membership and extension officer, are we keeping up with the pace?

I’ve seen my Table change over the years, from an area engaged dinner club, shifting towards

This crossroads has recently involved the idea of running a 10-week yoga and mental wellbeing programme for local men. My increasingly inflexible body is already aching at the prospect, but I get the need having three kids, a stressful job and my own share of life problems. Just maybe 30 minutes every week is the start I need to make some positive improvements. At the same time, my Table is once again thinking about reaching out into our local community, to engage those men we want to get involved.

Table has evolved over the last 95 years, but if one fair criticism can be made, it is that we can at times be a little slow off the mark. I remember when Table went all ‘lads mags and stags’ around 2010, just as the likes of the FHM Mags and drinking culture were giving way in wider society to Men’s

Health and Wellbeing and the modern coffee and gym culture.

We can look at the successes of Andy’s Mans Club and ask why we haven’t picked up more of those guys. Where is your individual Table offer positioned in your local community, and that might answer in part at least some of that question.

I see across our association, Tables comfortable in actively promoting a safe spaces for men to develop.

Clubs of aspirational men coming together to develop relationships and individual improvement, community focused Tables based around events and fundraising. The beer and curry clubs more often than not out for a drink down the local, the adventure Tables (you see every week dangling from a rope on the side of a mountain on Facebook).

The truth is none of these are wrong if they are succeeding!

All are Round Table: the best product we as Tablers know, but the hardest to put a uniform promotion around!

No Table has the monopoly on the right formula. We will

never be a one size fits all organisation, we have variety and success seen across a range of types of Tables across RTBI. So if your Table is knocking it out the park and is succeeding in your recruitment, retention and long term security; happy days, keep pushing and sharing your successes!

If not, there are a variety of formulas and changes available, but we need to be open and ready to make changes.

Individual Tables always set the agenda and their own direction, I suppose the question is whether you are ready to try something a little different and then work towards driving the change?

All I would stress is in making the changes, be it pints, yoga or swinging from a rope on the side of a mountain, think to the future, make sure Table never becomes a burden for those who follow, set your targets high but achievable, keep it fresh and attractive for the future!

Get in contact if you need any help.

Andrew

The year ahead...

I'm dead excited about my time on the Board, says Rocco Cerullo, National Programme and Retention Officer • Saturday 24th Sept 2022 Chelmsford

• Saturday 25th Mar 2023 Harleston or Cambridge

• Saturday 15th Oct 2022 Bristol

• Saturday 27th May 2023 Barry or Swansea South Wales

• Saturday 21st Jan 2023 Deeside or Keswick After taking the seat on the board my committee and I have been busy planning a calendar of workshops for the membership.

The pandemic has been a tough period for many, including Table. What struck me, and many other members, is the grit we showed to ensure we still had a presence in our communities, including our own Table community. Many Tables – and Tablers – have jumped at the chance to get out and 'Table' again once the restrictions were lifted and

have hit the ground running.

It's been amazing to hear the stories and successes from these Tables.

My priority for stepping up to the board has been to bring back face-to-face workshops, and importantly take them on the road. It is important that we continue to network and ensure our member experience is as positive as it can be.

My committee and I want to provide Tablers the opportunity to come together to share and support each other in reenergising their Tables. As well as that, it is important that we support each other as men and

as friends. In these workshops we will discuss and cover topics such as: programme planning, events, PR, social media, upskilling, and importantly, Man Matters.

Working closely with the National President, we will be inviting representatives from his chosen charity CALM, to provide workshops involving how we can support each other when it comes to well being.

So get your calendars out as the workshops will hit the road in September in Chelmsford.

Here is a list of workshops and the proposed locations:

The locations will act as a hub for the region and anyone who wishes to attend from further afield. My team and I very much look forward to seeing you at the workshops. In the meantime if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch at programme@ roundtable.org.uk

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

CALE NDAR

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Inspiring individuals

JOINING THE DOTS More than 125,000 people have studied Dot Lung’s courses on personal branding and Instagram strategies for business growth. Adam Baggs talks to her about the importance of community, authenticity and dialogue

My parents are originally from Taiwan, but we emigrated to LA in the 80s. 25 years later, I decided to leave my US life and pursue my dream of travelling the world. It started in Barcelona and from there, I was able to make a living doing what I love.

How do you measure your success?

I created a course on Instagram Strategy, on how to grow you Instagram brand. I got a following of 115,000 followers as a result. But it’s more about the deep, meaningful connections I’ve achieved.

You have a lot of contacts to communicate with, how do you keep people engaged?

It’s pretty intense. I use a chatbot that

has an auto reply message that shares my freebies; I have an automatic DM responder that says ‘thank you for contacting me’, and gives info on my free ebook, discounts on the course, and about how to get some of my information.

If they do their homework, they can get a deeper relationship.

What do you do?

Right now I teach people how to grow their personal brand as a business. It’s called the Dragons Formula – which has seven elements: Dialogue Relatability Authenticity Giving value Opinions Niche Sales

It’s about ‘serving’ in order to sell. I take people through the pillars of the formula to create a magnetic presence online.

Who have you helped?

I’ve worked with Meta, Wickes, universities, food chains, global institutions, but I started at music festivals – including Sonar and Off – and spent time applying the methodology to design festivals, etc, that I chose to attend.

What’s been your most exciting work?

There’s always a new challenge. I moved to Tel Aviv recently where I’m working with new tech companies, humanising their product and brand. The secret is providing the human touch to everything.

The high tech platforms coming out of Israel are very exciting to me.

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

Tell us about your background

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you either hire someone to do it, or build the confidence by practicing and doing it yourself. You’ll work out what works, what doesn’t work, how to communicate – ultimately it’s about sharing your vision with others.

What’ve been important focus points in your career?

I’ve been in social since 2004, when Facebook started, but I’ve been learning more about how to spend my time, and I know I do not want to spend it all on Instagram. Now that I’ve mastered it, I want to spend time doing other things I love. Travel is a passion. I’ve been invited by the president of El Salvador, Israel Tourism, and others to help them. Being able to travel the world has been truly a gift. I see myself doing more and teaching others how to do the same.

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

I struggle doing pieces to camera, how do you go about ‘creating’ authenticity?

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I was never comfortable in front of the camera either, but today I’m a "mother of social media dragons." It starts with having a dream in mind. For me social media was the most powerful free tool available, and when I saw the impact it could have I changed my mind.

So I started to do video and selfies, and this helped close the gap between people getting to know me to wanting to buy from me People message me often now saying they really want to work with me, but this relied on authenticity.

I realised I had to get over fears of being on camera, I had to practice. It’s natural to feel unnatural at first, but as a business,

Being able to travel the world has been truly a gift. I see myself doing more and teaching others how to do the same.

Dialogue The whole reason why social exists is down to relationships with other human beings and starting a conversation. If you can have a conversation you’re already ahead of the game. Dialogue builds trust which is vital to keeping customers.

Relatability To feel relatability, you must feel emotion. This is why dogs and babies are

so popular.

Authenticity Be true to who you are. If you “fake it ‘til you make it”, you’ll get fake followers.

Your vibe attracts your tribe.

Getting value This is the backbone. Give, give, get. The law of reciprocity.

Opinions This is a very political strategy. You should polarise people, so they get heated and want to engage more. Share your

true values and beliefs. People don’t follow you because you’re ‘Switzerland’.

Niche This is what will make you rich. The better and more specific the problem you solve the better.

Sales The more you serve, the more sales you will get, so serve and give. Your brand is not about you, it’s about the problem you solve for other people.

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

The ‘Dragons Formula’ explained...

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Like father, like son This issue, Tabler catches up with father/son duo Rupert and Ben Carter who embody Table’s familial torch carrying tradition A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

Whilst writing Tabler magazine over the last couple of years one of my favourite sections was the Like Father Like Son piece. As a dad with an 11-year-old lad I can already see how my Tabling is a positive influence on him, and who knows, maybe one day he might join. However, in the meantime I am delighted that – when Paul Thompson came to Cirencester earlier this year – he inducted the son of a former 286 Tabler.

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Rupert Carter has been an inspiration to me as a Tabler, and to me he embodies so much about our organisation (a sentiment that I am sure Matt Fallon as a fellow Ciren Tabler will back up). It was therefore our honour to stand with him as we witnessed PT induct his son.

Baggsie

FATHER:

RUPERT CARTER When did you join, and why?

I joined Table in 1999, and was introduced by Malcolm Lewis, then President, and father of a friend. I was inducted on the Acropolis in Athens on an international trip. I was interested

in community organisations and really enjoyed the fellowship and banter as well as the variety of activities in the community that I had recently moved to.

What roles did you undertake?

During my time I’ve undertaken pretty much every role more than once, including Chairman twice.

I worked my way up to the Chair so that by the time I got there I understood all aspects of Table – which I think is important.

What was your most memorable moment of Table?

There’s too many to mention! The thing that I’m most proud of is re-building Ciren Table when we were down to four members. We looked each other in the eye and committed to bring one friend to the next meeting and then another – it was a tough time, but we did it together: Marshy, Rob, Gideon & I. International trips are always a fun highlight, and fireworks were always the most rewarding highlight in terms of fund raising, with old folks suppers and Santas Sleighs being rewarding in terms of community service.

What impact has Table had on your life?

I learnt so much in Table.

Never did I imagine that I’d

be effectively the CEO of an organisation of 20 people, turning over £30k with social & charitable responsibilities. I’m a Project Manager by trade, so organising events comes naturally. However it’s always the human element that people overlook, and managing a group of volunteers, some more willing than others was an experience. I’ve learnt some really good skills, and also developed some skills from the workplace in Table. An all-round great experience!

Why did you encourage Ben to join?

I was always really proud to be in Round Table. It taught me a lot about people. It taught me a lot about myself too, and how to relate to different types of people: a great life skill. The thing that I’m still learning is to manage my big character, let others take the lead, let everyone be heard and to try to see things from different people’s perspectives... It may take a while longer.

My kids grew up in and around Round Table. We have family friends from Table, who went on

annual camping trips and they helped at fireworks and old folks’ suppers. I really wanted the same for Ben that I had from Table, the same fun and fellowship, developing different skills and learning about himself.

SON:

I also want to see Table flourish in future and be a part of his future, wherever his life takes him. One of the key attributes that I’d like him to take from me is giving… charitable benevolence. Giving to people, not only those less fortunate than ourselves, but to anyone and everyone.

My dad has been in Round Table since I can remember, so me and my sisters have always been going to the events that Table has put on. Including the Santa’s sleigh, old folks supper, fireworks and many more. My dad is such a great role model for me and my sisters, seeing him doing such much for our local community. I could see all the guys in Table had the same mindset of helping others and they always had a laugh along the way.

I hope Ben will make good lifelong friends, and get the same from Table that I did and more… perhaps he’ll help to modernise and adapt Table for the future.

There’s no doubt clubs are going through a tough time and need to create strong identities to attract potential members. My advice to Ben would be to grab it with both hands, enjoy it as much as you can and help to build its future.

I owe a huge debt of thanks to Table for everything that it’s given me and I hope that the things that I have done for Table go some way to repay that debt. What I can do now that I have aged out and served as President (twice!) is to promote Round Table to all of an eligible age, and encourage people to join. Thank you for an amazing 18+ years.

What did you think of Table as a child - seeing you father being part of it?

You will age out in 2048… what do you think Table will look like then?

When my time comes to leave Table, I am hoping we will be carrying on the great events we already do, and to have more ideas brought forward for events that will help others. Maybe at that point I may have a son to introduce to Round Table and

they will be as excited to join as I was.

You have invited a friend - who has also now joined - what does Table need to do to stay relevant?

I’ve known Alex since secondary school. I know he has the same mindset as the other Tablers, in that he wants to do good for this community and put smiles on faces. I think in order to stay relevant we need to make sure we advertise and give young people, like me, the opportunity to join and show what they can bring to Round Table. We need to keep the events going and keep our name going around Cirencester.

Why did you join?

A short while after I turned 18, dad and I spoke about me joining Table. He told me about all the different events, the effect it has on the people we help, and all the fun and games that go on.

Ultimately I wanted to have the same effect as my dad did: to help out the local community and push myself to help make a positive change for others.

What do you hope to get out of it?

I hope to continue to be a useful part of Round Table and to continue what others have done before. Hopefully I will learn a lot from my fellow members and maybe bring some ideas of my own to the table.

What are you most looking forward to in Table?

I look forward to carrying on the legacy of Round Table, making

Ben relaxing on the floor after his induction by Paul Thompson. His father Rupert wandered over, checked he was still breathing – then returned to the bottle of wine he was sharing with PT Fallon and Baggsie

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

What do you hope Ben will get from it?

BEN CARTER

sure that we do the best we can for the community. I am looking forward to all the events, and putting smiles on peoples’ faces.

I am also looking forward to a few boozy annual trips away with Table.

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stuff we couldn't name!

How Web3 will change your world Web3, the digital evolution towards decentralisation and self ownership, is upon us. Tabler hears from the companies set to bring the power back to the people...

Spotify is stuck in the Web2 age, and blockchain startup Soundoshi is plotting its downfall, with an ecosystem that rewards artists and fans by harnessing social media, NFTs and blockchain micro payments The streaming age has opened up vast musical archives like never before. However, it has also spawned monstrous business models that favour big artists at the expense of not only smaller artists, but their fans too, says Soundoshi CEO Michal Scislowski, the man behind a Web3 music ecosystem that’s already leveraged deals with major rights-owners to bring true scalability.

Soundoshi’s partnerships will give users access to more than a million tracks upon launch. Meanwhile, fanbases will get more intimate with artists than ever before, thanks to customisable fan pages and social options that, unlike the competition, harness Web3 technology.

Soundoshi gives artists (or nominated third

parties) full creative and commercial control of their tracks, bringing rights-models into the Web 3 Age. The use of micro payment technology, Scislowski says, provides ‘the only truly democratic solution’ to creating a fair artist reward system. “The cost for the average fan (based on 500 streamed tracks per month) would also fall too, costing around £9 on Soundoshi, compared to Spotify’s £13.99. The BSV blockchain that silently underpins our platform is uniquely suited to this,” he adds.

Heavy streamers, meanwhile, will be rewarded for their loyalty with exclusive NFTs and other perks, and there’s even opportunities for big spenders to legally buy a stake in an artist’s discography, and profit from it thereafter.

Soundoshi’s monetisation plans don’t stop there. With Elon Musk already talking up the virtues of micro payments for paid-for ‘likes’, social media is set to become a growing revenue source for new and established artists alike. By harnessing economies of scale, Soundoshi will offer artists full access to transparent social revenue via an API directly connected to the platform.

But how does the Spotify model predominantly benefit the big artists, and how does Soundoshi revolutionise this? The devil is in the details. An emerging artist currently gets a small percentage from total streams.

The problem with this payment structure is

that, upon the release of a major album, total streaming numbers vastly increase, diluting the income pool for smaller, or emerging acts.

Meanwhile, the administrative function – dictated by record labels – means artists often have to wait years before receiving a penny of this income.

Micro payments are a revolutionary aspect of Soundoshi, allowing an artist to be reimbursed in seconds, and allowing instant payments for every track streamed. The overall amount that Soundoshi takes, meanwhile, is around 20% per stream: around 10% lower than Spotify. And Soundoshi’s payment per stream to each artist is on average said to be more than 330% more per artist than Spotify.

Fixing a broken model, of course, requires negotiation with centralised entities including PRS, ISRW, and ISCW to allow music to be registered and monetised. Soundoshi is finalising this process, and Scislowski says that unlocking access to these rights holders will create enormous, untapped market access for artists: “We’re bringing huge economies of scale and opening up markets in regions like Africa, South America and Central Asia,” says Scislowski. “Artists worldwide can use their old computers and smartphones to create intuitive personalised profiles and get their music out there. Through these White Label-

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

Fairer music for the masses

35

style touchpoints, fans can buy merchandise and fan experiences, helping monetise artist areas.”

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

He adds: “There are vast opportunities for local businesses like cafes and venues to host channels on Soundoshi too, creating AR backdrops where fans can watch their favourite band play in their local coffee shop.

We’re going to be bringing the metaverse into music fans' lives like never before.”

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www.soundoshi.com Sign up for the closed beta on 15 September,and the open beta on 15 October, with the final product set to launch Q1 2023.

Time is money Whatever your profession, the chances are you have advice and guidance that others are willing to pay for. Enter micropayment technology, and a handy new Web3 game changer, +App.

The way we approach work has drastically changed. Covid, and the realisation that we’re more connected than ever, has prompted a revolution in remote working. For the Web3 age, however, things are set to go a step further. +App allows users to glean advice from experts on demand, connecting you to a global support base of professionals who can solve whatever quandary you or your business is facing.

The technology also allows previously unreachable professionals to monetise their time – whether that be for a short phone call, or a video chat to discuss marketing strategies. +App is also set to open up a market for health and mental health workers, breaking down barriers for psychiatrists and motivational and wellness professionals alike.

Lending a helping hand to the world, rather than just a narrow network, is sure to boost your business, and with instant payments for your time available in a range of crypto and fiat currencies, it’s a truly future proofed

solution.

Download the beta app now in iOS Test Flight or Android by registering at www.plusapp.pro

Opening the Pickle jar Ex-firefighter Dunja Rombouts’ start-up business, Pickle, is using blockchain’s transparency, accreditation, security and micropayment functionalities to provide a vital second income opportunity to millions If you’ve ever required an emergency tradesperson, you’ll understand the value of a network of trustworthy, competent individuals ready to get you out of a pickle at the drop of a hat.

The aptly-named Pickle was set up in partnership with a Checkatrade director

dedicated to bringing customers the reassurance that goes with having registered firefighters tend to your various mishaps: whether that be locking yourself out of your home, finding a leaking pipe or discovering a wasps nest in your back garden.

There’s also an ethical reason to choose Pickle.

The service (which is currently working with various unions and local authorities) was set up to remedy the mental health crisis that plagues firefighters. The profession suffers from a high suicide rate, down in part to the financial difficulties many face, with many saying they rely on a steady second income.

The scheme will soon expand to include individuals from a variety of trusted professions seeking a second income, meaning Pickle is vying to become the ‘Uber for trusted tradespeople’.

Meanwhile, those booking an emergency callout benefit from the reassurance that the person being sent out has passed careful vetting and authentication, and is genuinely located nearby. pickle.help

NFTs, but no monkey business

NFTs have been the preserve of a techsavvy elite, but Buzzmint are putting their

creation and deployment in the hands of brand owners and passionate fans, helping demystify the technology and bring their benefits to the masses NFTs - blockchain authenticated ownership of a bespoke digital item – is catching on.

However, scrolling through notorious NFT marketplace Opensea to find NFTs to ‘flip’ for profit has given the digital token medium a bad name, not helped by the skyhigh charges that come with using the congested Ethereum network.

What’s more, NFTs have been lacking genuine utility, instead being synonymous with overhyped artwork, usually featuring garishly animated apes.

Buzzmint is looking to change the Openseacentric culture of NFTs, allowing brand owners and individuals to create (‘mint’) bespoke NFTs using their intuitive platform, which provides a customisable ‘white label’ web store that plugs into existing websites, so consumers can buy direct from brands they know and love.

The process is significantly cheaper too. By using the BSV blockchain, fees per transaction are mere pennies, in comparison to Ethereum, which can charge three figures at peak times.

The tech underpinning Buzzmint, however, is designed so that the sophisticated blockchain technology is invisible to users, making the process simple for first-time consumers and veterans alike.

Creators can now provide NFTs with genuine value to fanbases, or use the platform to create secure tokens or tickets for uses defined by the user. With the NFT market set to grow 33% year on year, being an early adopter can reap that all-important brand kudos.

The creative possibilities are endless. Comic brands, for example, can now publish limited edition versions of their back catalogues to collectors, while event creators can produce tickets with special functionalities – like access to limited edition music, VIP areas or artist interactions. buzzmint.io

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

But how will Web3 technology improve this established industry? Firstly, blockchain remedies many of the obstacles that plague second-jobbers: ie transparent accounting, assured payments, and access to a ready made database of potential customers.

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GADGETS

Tabler rounds up the gadgets piquing its interest in Autumn 2022 ROAM ON

design. Meanwhile, truncated aerofoil tube profiles, and a more aerodynamic handlebar claim to knock 60 seconds off a ride of an hour, compared to its predecessor. The bike also debuts Shimano’s all-new 105 Di2 electronic groupset.

Eagerly awaited by road cyclists, the addition offers semiwireless electronic gear shifting at its most accessible price point yet. Still, Tabler does admit the price tag isn’t for the faint-hearted.

BUY AT SIGMA SPORTS

(£6850.00)

APPLES AND PEARS

Tough-wearing, and with a powerful sound to match its bold look, Sonos’ newest portable speaker is drop-resistant and waterproof up to three feet (for thirty minutes), with a battery life of 10 hours. In keeping with the audio manufacturer’s focus on fidelity, the device includes Trueplay tuning, which adapts the Roam’s sound to your surroundings and whatever it is you’re listening to.

SONOS ROAM, SONOS.COM

£159

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

LIFE CYCLE

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Apple's new MacBook Pro may be an iteration rather than a revolution, however, its ramp up in specs might be a tipping point for gamers and those involved in power hungry design work.

While it continues to feature the ‘Marmite’ (love it or hate it) touch bar, the increase in RAM allocation, faster charging and the addition of Spatial Audio will win many over. The biggest change here, however, is Apple's M2 processor chip which adds two GPU cores. Surely a crowd pleaser.

BUY NOW FROM CURRYS (£1249.00), EBAY (£1499.00) AND JACAMO (£1499.00)

Trek’s latest iteration of its Madone SLR aero road bike features IsoFlow, a feature which places a hole between its rider’s legs to reduce overall drag as part of a radical new

OLED R,

£99,999, LG.COM

YOU’RE SURROUNDED! Surround sound always seemed like a great idea, but what about all the fiddly wiring? Fear not Tablers, Sony’s new speaker system offers serious home cinema surround sound, without getting all tangled up. The HT-A9 system is a set of four wireless speakers that talk to a control box, plugged directly into your TV. The system echo locates each speaker, allowing you to easily calibrate the speakers to your living room. Each device has a tweeter, a sub and an up-firing speaker to power the full Dolby Atmos experience.

HT-A9, SONY.COM,

£1,799

ROLL-UP, ROLL-UP!

NO SMOKE, JUST FIRE Love barbeques, but tired of sending lofty smoke signals throughout your neighbourhood? The FirePit+ eliminates smoke by making your fire hotter. Battery-powered fans at the bottom of the fire basket stoke the flames from beneath, while the mesh sides let plenty of air in.

This means the flame burns hotter and more efficiently, producing less smoke. You can even put charcoal in and rest a grill on its top. The fans last between seven and 30 hours depending on how high they’re turned up, and the battery can be recharged via USB. FIREPIT+ ,

Finally TVs are performing the stuff of sci-fi dreams. LG’s OLED R screen display rolls itself up and tucks into the small speaker cabinet below when you turn it off. Alternatively

£269.99

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

GADGETS

in ‘Line View’ mode, it shrinks down to about a fifth of its height to work as a display for the integrated sound bar.

Cool, for sure, but cool enough to put down a house-sized deposit for? Well, you decide.

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Music Reviews Highlights included a stripped back 4AM, a glistening Future Holds and closer Shut Off The Lights, accompanied by support act Jack Garratt, which saw the pair serenade the crowd with the refrain “Shut off the lights, we don't need them to dance”. But dance, they did, and the lights look set to continue for Bastille long after their Storming of The O2 was complete.

Bastille, The O2, London

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Named after the day singer Dan Smith was born (14 July, Bastille Day), Bastille’s brand of pop rock has gathered a wide appeal.

Number two-charting single Pompeii (oddly the fourth single they released from album Bad Blood) is still the band’s calling card, but covers of Rhythm Is A Dancer and 2019 single Happier have cemented their headliner status.

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The band’s appearance at London’s premier venue, The O2, is testament to their success. The gig saw an enraptured audience sing along to every syllable, waving their illuminated phone torches (the new lighters apparently) in honour of Bastille’s dreamlike, anthemic dancefloor fillers.

Their latest album, Give Me The Future featured heavily, managing to be simultaneously catchy and dystopian: a feat echoed in the sci-fi inspired stage set that Smith explores at his leisure throughout the constantly-engaging two hour performance.

Bloc Party, Pryzm, Kingston The early 2000s were a golden moment in indie disco history, and bands that emerged in the era – The White Stripes, The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol et al – are still filling dancefloors and Spotify playlists to this day.

Bloc Party’s decidedly-convenient visit to my local gig venue, gave me pause to reminisce on a time when 10/10 albums emerged at a regularity we all took for granted, and guitar music ruled the world.

Even for this epochal era, the band’s first record, Silent Alarm, is truly special.

Meanwhile sophomore album A Weekend

in The City – a more introspective, thematically cohesive offering – was a fitting follow up, never watering down the band’s flair for relentless riffs, intricate, heartfelt guitar work and cathartic drum fills.

While the band released some notable cuts since AWITC, they’re forever cemented in this era for most, and (partly due to Covid19) a long break from performing forces attendees to a 2022 Bloc Party gig to view their career from a bird’s eye view.

When (gym buffed) front man Kele Orereke Took to the stage, it was clear my nostalgia wasn’t in isolation. Tracks from the new album (highlights including Day Drinker and If We Get Caught) captured their peak-era appeal, often knowingly so, with lyrical easter eggs referencing Silent Alarm, and sly identikit drum fills – now performed by the stick wielding replacement Louise Bartle – referencing their debut.

The riotous crowd participation, of course, peaked during iconic tracks Banquet, Helicopter and This Modern Love – which surely deserves a nod for the standout track of the Noughties. I left with a newfound optimism that Bloc Party are as passionate and ambitious as ever.

The alarm in my head, reminding me of the depressing demise of rock music, was thankfully silenced.

feels for the source material. Indeed, his voice and demeanor visibly and audibly darken as he channels Curtis’ persona right in front of our eyes, taking the audience with him as if undergoing a mass-participatory seance.

James Blake, Pryzm, Kingston

Peter Hook & The Light, The O2, Brixton

Much kudos must go to my local record store Banquet Records for attracting an impressive roster of artists at Asda-pocketpatting prices. Having the chance to see angel-voiced dubstep prodigy-turned-hiphop mainstay James Blake for under £15 might have felt like daylight robbery, yet here I was.

I’m always apprehensive about seeing a legacy act performing classic tunes from a bygone era. As my dad once said when I was trying to get back with an exgirlfriend: “You can’t re-heat a souffle”.

Blake’s jovial-yet-humble on stage patter created the feel of walking into a spontaneous, off-the-cuff performance for close friends. His creative piano intros, fade ins and outros added to this exclusive feel.

His playful showboating impressed throughout the hour-long set, floating through immaculately written tracks like Retrograde, Limit to Your Love, and covers of Joni Mitchell’s Case of You and Stevie Wonder’s Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer, effortlessly, but with a sincerity, and vocal control worthy of the artists he’s so gushingly indebted to.

Words by Tom hall

Keeping alive the spirit in which songs were originally written and performed requires a certain alchemy – one which I wasn’t sure Joy Division and New Order bassist, Peter Hook and his band, would possess; this being my first time seeing them live.

Honouring one of rock’s finest back catalogues is a high stakes act. However, throughout the three hour long journey – and it was a journey– Brixton was treated to a spectacle that was nothing short of electric and cathartic.

The bassist also carries the burden of singing the sorrowful baritone vocals originally performed by Joy Division’s front man Ian Curtis, whose tragic suicide marked the end of the band – the original members of whom went on to form New Order, a dancier, more synth heavy act.

One of the many remarkable facets of the performance is the clear reverence Hook

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Having watched Blake and his band perform a competent, if unengaging, set a few years ago at Brixton to mark the release of Assume Form, I was intrigued to see how the lofty singer songwriter would fare in an intimate, piano-only affair.

Luckily, we were all in on the spell, singing along to Atmosphere’s desolate lyrics, dancing like no one’s watching to Isolation and Disorder, and group hugging with strangers in celebration of the iconic closer Love Will Tear Us Apart. We walked away in silence, and reverence.

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When relationships breakdown…

Despite what we might hope, relationships don’t always last forever.

Tabler presents guidance from Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to help you cope with one of the most common causes of stress When a relationship breaks down it can be difficult for everyone involved.

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Beside the difficult emotions that you’ll no doubt be going through, there’s often a whole host of other things to think about. You may be worried about your children, home, work, money, relationships with others, or simply what the future holds next. These can all add up and make it tough to cope.

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If you’re going through a breakup, divorce or separation and are struggling, you can talk to the CALM helpline, where trained staff will offer practical support and guidance to help you move forward.

How does a relationship breakdown feel?

Tough. Divorce and separation are very common but that doesn’t make them any easier. While the breakdown of your relationship might feel like the end of the world, you're not alone.

While relationship breakdowns are common, the way people experience them can be very varied.

Relationships are complicated, and when they end there are a lot of things to sort out and deal with.

Relationship breakdowns can be particularly hard if you didn’t expect them to happen, there are children involved, or your partner was the only person you could open up to.

The end of a relationship can trigger many feelings such as sadness, rejection, loneliness, depression, anxiety, anger, happiness or relief, guilt, shame and even suicidal thoughts.

You may feel some of the following: Anger Sadness Rejection Loneliness Failure Shame Grief Lack of motivation Worthless Helpless How do I move on after a divorce or breakup?

The most important thing to do after a separation is to look after yourself. Don't isolate yourself from your friends and family, try to maintain communication with people who you feel at ease talking to, be they family members, mates,

colleagues or even talking to a counsellor can help.

You also need to allow yourself time to grieve and let go of any residing anger you might have.

It’s not easy dealing with the aftermath of a relationship breakdown, but it's important to remember you'll have good days and bad days just like everybody else. Because separation can be an extremely distressing time, it’s also a good idea to try to give yourself time to unwind and let your body de-stress. Do what makes you feel relaxed , whether it’s watching the footy or meeting your mates for a catch up – laughter can be a great therapy so make sure you allow yourself to have some fun – or at least some time away from dwelling on what has happened.

Remember that your physical health is just as important as your mental health in times of stress.

Maintaining a good diet and exercise can help boost your self-esteem and your outlook on life.

Similarly, if you’re struggling with the emotional aspects of a separation, remember that help is always on hand in the form of friends, family and the CALM helpline. 0800 58 58 58, open 5pm – midnight, every day of the year. Our trained helpline staff can talk through your problems with you and help you decide what to do next or where to go for further support.

Relate, the UK’s leading relationship support organisation can help you at all stages of relationships, including helping you to separate in

Even if you still retain a good relationship with your ex-partner, talking about money and children can lead to arguments, which make things more difficult.

An option to consider in this situation is mediation, which differs from family counselling and is often used once a couple’s attempt to reach agreements has failed. Any discussion you have with a mediator should be in a safe, non-judgmental environment where you and your partner can discuss the practical issues that are involved in divorce.

a way that reduces conflict and helping you to move on from a relationship which has ended.

They have developed practical, online support that you can access in your own time. You can find out more by visiting Relate's website, where you can chat for free to a trained Relate counsellor, or by calling 0300 100 1234.

Get support: If you need us, we’re here.

What if my divorce or separation is complicated?

There are some important options to consider that may help your situation and make a resolution easier to achieve.

One of these options is relationship or family counselling. If you have children, this might also help you explain the situation to them better so they are less affected by the separation, and can help you to communicate better in order to understand and resolve problems, and find a way to move forward.

If you choose to open up to a family or couples counsellor, they can provide confidential and non-judgmental support. Talking is difficult, but necessary to reach a resolution so you’ll be encouraged to share your thoughts and feelings on the situation. In the first few sessions the counsellor will ask you to talk through what’s

a relationship breakdown. Here are some things to bear in mind: It’s ok to feel excited about your future. It’s ok to feel scared about your future too. Think about your aims and what you want for yourself You don’t have to lose touch with the extended family, it might take time to build bridges See the opportunity for new connections It will take time to adjust to a new life, you can do it. Some days will be harder/ easier than others Don’t hold on to guilt. It’s happened, so it is important to try to move on

What about my kids?

Talking about how you feel

One of the most difficult things to do when separating is discussing it with your children.

It is important to try not to involve them in conflict and to minimize the stress they might feel at home by reassuring them that even though you’re not in a relationship with their parent, you’ll still be part of their life.

It can be difficult to talk about how you’re feeling with your friends, family or professional. Here’s some ways you can start a conversation around how you’re feeling:

It can be easy to take your feelings out on other people, including your children, when things are tough, but remember that a relationship breakdown is out of their control. If you are struggling and need to talk, the CALM helpline is available from 5pm to midnight.

Where can I find help?

Talk to CALM from 5pm to midnight every day. Our professional helpline workers are there to talk and to help you find ways to move forward. Calls and webchats are free, anonymous, non-judgemental and confidential.

Outside of these hours, calls the Samaritans on 116 123 Relate offers relationship advice and counseling services.

Family lives have a confidential helpline and online advice for families.

Dealing with a relationship breakdown It can be hard to think about moving on after

“The break up has really hit me hard and I need someone to talk to.”

“Since the break up, I’m struggling to move on. I haven’t got anybody to open up to.”

“You might have noticed I’ve not been around so much lately. I’ve been finding things difficult, but realise that keeping it all to myself isn’t going to solve anything.”

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happening and what you’d like to change, you’ll then work together with the counsellor to decide what happens next.

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Travel & events

Time to travel again?

It certainly seems so based on the amount of Tablers Adam Fitt has seen renewing old friendships abroad or taking the plunge and making their first Table trip to lands new.

One of my main targets when becoming the IRO was to increase the presence of RTBI around the world this year and we are off to a great start!

With that in mind it looks like we had a strong contingent of members heading to the World Meeting in Copenhagen and I hope to see a large number of RTBI Tablers at the CEE Meeting in Nottingham in October.

If you have not experienced an international meeting this is the perfect opportunity as

it’s on our doorstep. If you’re thinking it’s like any other event we host you could not be more wrong so take the plunge and book in!

part of the new members packs, available on Tabler World, Tabler Magazine and will also be covered in the upcoming Regional Workshops so keep an eye out.

In terms of business at home, I will be working through creating some new promotional materials and information packs for our membership to give a better insight into international Tabling, what goes on, what meetings there are, what countries we are in and how YOU can get involved. This information will also become

For those looking to travel to an event we have the following coming up in the next few months: CEETM 21-23 October; Nottingham If you want to find out more about international Tabling, meetings, travel funding or just fancy a chat

please do reach out.

International@roundtable.org.uk Yours in Table

Adam Fitt RTBI IRO London West end 623

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You will see elsewhere in the magazine, stories from our members and their trips already this year but I am really enjoying seeing the buzz that such a large number of our members are showing for international Tabling.

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Dutch courage

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Dan White and Pete Biggins of Barry 516 recently attended their first international meeting; the Dutch AGM. Here’s the lowdown!

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Myself and Pete headed to Bristol airport on Thursday 9 June, a little apprehensive about what our weekend had in store.

We were both off on our first international Round Table adventure to Woerden in the Netherlands for Round Table Netherlands’ 75 AGM. All the planning led to us arriving in Amsterdam to join a 'Pre tour' that morning. Greeted

by Sander van Eck and Lucas Borsboom of the Netherlands Round Table National Board, we spent the next few days having the time of our lives.

First, a walking tour of Amsterdam where we joined up with Louis de Bruin of

Kirkwood Round Table 78 South Africa and his wife Freda. An instant friendship. It was like meeting a 'new old friend, for the very first time' and this was referred to every time we met more and more Tablers over the weekend.

After a light lunch and beer we headed to the Heineken Brewery; yes the Dutch can really organise a p**s up in a brewery. Tipsy, we were then chauffeured to our hotel and given some down time to explore our home for the next three days, Woerden.

Friday evening came, and it was time to party.

We checked in with over 250 Tablers from Netherlands and international guests, all smiling, laughing, enjoying a beer, exchanging

pins and having a great evening being hosted by the Dutch boys with an open bar.... too many Tablers to name but it was awesome meeting more new old friends for the very first time'.

Many beers were drunk and after food was consumed, we headed to the afterparty.

Saturday morning we attended the AGM. Safe to say that some were more fresh faced than others. We were joined by fellow RTBI members Mark Sephton and Shaun Stanton-Heine from Area 36. We sat amongst 40 international visitors off to the side. The Board was introduced with music, smoke machines and everyone cheered and clapped. They called us all forward and thanked us for joining them before sending us away on a day of activities. They had

We took in the culture and went for lunch served by an ex-Netherlands Round Table member who owned a local tapas bar. The Schwarma was amazing. Next we were whisked off to a boat to see Woerden from the water.

Two boats full of Tablers, wives, partners and girlfriends plodded round the middle of a Boat Gala that was in town that weekend and did a loop of the City. Finally a cheese experience. learning about 'Gouda' cheese of which this small warehouse stored 70 tonnes across three floors for up to 2 years.

Time for the Main events: Suited and Booted, myself and Pete made our way to the venue for the Meet and Greet. Again an open bar and a fine dining buffet. We ate and drank like Kings and Queens, we had an amazing time, exchanging more pins, banners, and presents amongst Tablers from all over the world. After the new board members were introduced we jumped into some awaiting buses and headed to the after gala venue.

Champagne on arrival we hit ‘Party Mode’. A hammer and nail game, air ice hockey, table football, roulette and Black Jack were just some of the fun to be had. Music pumping out by the famous DJ... DJ Jean was brilliant.

We danced. We drank and had the time of our lives. Words will not be able to sum up the entire weekend. But we will say this; if you haven't done international tabling....Why not?!

It was brilliant from start to finish. And to our Netherlands and international brothers. Dank je wel – Thank you Daniel White - Vice Chairman Area 4 , Barry Roundtable 516 Pete Biggins - Treasurer Area 4 , City of Newport roundtable 15 A note from the IRO - Dan and Pete applied to the John Watts Travel Fund which granted them a contribution to their travel costs for the weekend. For more information please contact international@roundtable.org.uk

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lined up a guided tour of Woerden, which was educational and extremely fun.

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Comeback with a Bang The NSW team promised they would come back in style - and they truly did! holes, it was an opportunity for many to earn Area points and get match-fit for the main event on Saturday.

Area 6 was the deserving winners of the overall trophy but there were plenty of medals to share around.

I’ll leave it to the pictures to tell the whole story…

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NSW 2022, organised by Area 34, took place at the start of September. Also known as ‘The Comeback Games’ it saw a fair amount of setbacks due to Covid19 – but the end result was an epic weekend with more than 175 Tablers gathering in Lancaster for banter, brotherhood and plenty of friendly competition.

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The weekend started (for some) with a low key Thursday night out followed by the odd round of golf and other less competitive activities as part of The Big Day Out. Things really kicked off though on the Friday night with an extensive pub tour of the ancient City of Lancaster. Featuring many of the best local watering

From ultimate frisbee and basketball to indoor climbing and squash – the Saturday featured a variety of traditional sports as well as a challenging Drayman’s Run and of course the tug of war. The whole event was perfectly rounded off with an Oktoberfest (in September!).

NSW 2024

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID, a slot is available for an Area willing to organise NSW 2024. It is a great event to showcase your Area’s ability to work together and organise something truly inspiring. To learn more chat to National Events Officer, Ray Carr.

Bid for it Although NSW and CEETM are just around the corner for 2022, we need to start planning for future national events for future years, says National Events Officer, Ray Carr

First off: if you haven’t booked your ticket yet for CEETM – do it now!

So, what have you done in your table life so far? Have you been Chairman, organised your Table’s fortnightly events for a year, helped organise a large-scale fireworks event, or visited other tables in the UK and beyond?

Well there is another activity which I have personally found has been one of the highlights of my Table experience, which has been helping to organise the RTBI national events.

Each year, RTBI are looking to move their National Sporting Weekend (NSW), Conference and any other

If you think that your local table or Area can come together by organising a one-off project, or bringing lots of Tablers and Circlers to your local Area could be used to ignite your local Table and bring new Tablers to join, then this is an activity to take on.

Okay that sounds intriguing and we might be interested, what next?

Well, let’s start with Conference!

The next Conference will be in Liverpool, next May 2023, so the next Conference you could be bidding for would be Conference in May 2024. Working back from that date, RTBI would need an Area or local Table to submit an expression of interest by November 2022, to be ready to launch at Liverpool 2023.

After you have sent in an expression of interest, the National Events Officer will come to visit you to tell you

more, help out and to check that the potential event viable.

At the next Council meetings you would present your bid for them to vote on.

Your team might not be the lone bid, there could be a contested bid from another Area or Table from around the UK - so make it interesting.

Between November 2022 and May 2023, you would need to create a bid pack, which includes: • Who is on your team • What you have planned for the Friday night and Saturday night entertainment • A bit about the venue(s) and the Town/City which will be hosting the event • An outline budget • A promo video If your bid is successful, you will be getting ready to launch at Conference 2023 in Liverpool.

National Sporting Weekend 2024!

As we received no applications for a 2023 NSW event, the date has moved on to August/ September 2024. Working back from this date, RTBI would need to receive expressions of interest

by January 2023. The rest of the process follows that of a Conference bid..

Inspire Me For 23!

Next year, we currently have a gap in our events calendar from a National point of view. We have thought about this long and hard, and we are now asking everyone in RTBI to come up with an idea (doesn’t have to be a National Sporting Weekend) as a one-off national event for 2023. it also doesn’t have to be in August or September.

All ‘serious’ applications will be considered. This does need to be unique and not something that your table/Area currently does each year.

The event could be anything, a Charity walk, Canyoning weekend, festival or something your local area is famous for?

This may sound daunting, but if you have any questions please contact the National Events Officer, Ray Carr on events@roundtable.org.uk or call on 07305 78329

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national event around the UK. If you believe that your Area hasn’t held anything on a national level for a few years (or never have) then please give this some consideration, organising a national event is definitely on the bucket list for your Tabler lifetime.

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CEETM - A bit of history?

Nottingham is an historical city in the heart of the East Midlands, famous for the tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, great nightlife, three of the oldest Taverns in the UK, Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham Forest and Notts County football clubs, and the historical lace industry...

Should you attend CEETM this October?

Well yes, and here are some reasons!

1. If you have never done any kind of international Tabling, this is the ideal event to whet the appetite

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… But, all of those will soon fade into insignificance, when our Round Table friends from Europe (and beyond) visit our shores and come to celebrate CEETM in Nottingham this October.

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CEE is the European region that RTBI sits within, which stands for Central and Eastern European region.

Each year the head honchos from each country meet at the annual AGM (that’s the TM ‘Tabler’s meeting’ bit).

This is to find out what each country has been up to, to share ideas, run through what has worked, how many members each country has, which new countries the CEE region are looking to expand into, and lots more.

2. Free beer – yes, that’s right, European and World events like to have most of the beer/ alcohol included within the ticket price 3. Learn some new ideas to incorporate into your own table 4. Make some new Round Table friends, why not find your fellow club number at this event and setup a numbers meeting each year?

What can I expect?

The theme for this CEETM weekend is ‘Robin Hood’ (well of course it had to be!)

Friday night is a medieval theme Welcome Party, with lots of beer and a hog roast.

Entertainment surprises are in store too.

Saturday morning is the AGM: this is short and set in the court of the Nottingham Council House, the showpiece of Nottingham city square and you can’t miss it. We do recommend attending this to get an idea of how the other countries run their meetings and see the kind of discussions taking place outside of RTBI.

Saturday night is the Banquet dinner, lots of entertainment, an Awards Dinner (that’s the European awards) and did we mention that some alcohol is included too?

Well that’s sounds great, what next?

Visit www.ceetm.com and get yourself booked in!

Any questions at all please contact the CEETM team.

Round Table Family

And they're off...

There’s a lot to cover this issue from RTCW so take a deep breath carnivals, including meeting up with the newly chartered Diss Round Table while they were busy marshalling the event. Another fantastic day for us with £275 taken on the day through our carnival stall.

Hello Tablers, we want to start off by saying thank you, Firstly, thank you to current RTBI National President Matt Fallon for choosing Round Table Children’s Wish as one of his two charities for this year!

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And thank you to everyone that has reached out to us over the past few months.

It’s been fantastic to see the strong bond between Round Table Children’s Wish and Round Table, plus it’s wider family.

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Also, thank you for our invitation to conference weekend, we had a fantastic few days of meeting many of you, where you allowed us to share an insight to our fantastic charity. If you missed our video that was screened during AGM then go and give it a watch, it can be found on our YouTube channel, just go to YouTube and search Round Table Children’s Wish.

We raised over £500 in merchandise sales over our weekend in Birmingham and so a further thank you should go to one of our ambassadors, who is our current Lead Ambassador, Ladies Circle and Tangent

We are now looking to fill up our calendar with events from September onwards so if there is anything you would like Round Table Children’s Wish to be involved with then please let us know. member, Tanya Harder for her amazing efforts. You may have experienced Tanya doing what she does best on the Saturday evening and fleecing you for money for pin badges. But with the help of our mascot Dandi they may have also ‘borrowed’ a few items. If you can identify anything that may belong to you in the picture, then please get in touch as we would love to come to you to return the items and spread some more RTCW awareness!!

It was from conference that we started to receive some fantastic invitations to some amazing events across the country. First up it was an honour to attend the pride of Tamworth awards. The night itself was incredible but to come away with a donation shared between the National President's two named charities was even better. It meant £1,000 has come to us and £1,000 to CALM. We have also been down to Southampton and over to Norfolk to the town of Diss to attend It’s not just about fundraising events though, our wishes seem to be getting back to normal since the pandemic. We have been able to send two wish families to what seems to be the place to go this year, LEGOLAND

Windsor over the last two months.

Firstly, it was William’s turn for a wish.

William who is 5 years old was diagnosed with a low grade hypothalamic optic pathway glioma (Brain tumour).

As a result of the tumour William has been left severely visually impaired. He has recently finished 18 months of treatment including chemotherapy and medications and of course long hospital stays.

His wish to Legoland was to celebrate this and have something to look forward to. William was joined on his wish by his cousin Oliver, and they had a lot of fun together!

The second of our recent LEGOLAND wishes was for Wilfred.

He is now doing well so it was a perfect time to enjoy a short break at Legoland with his parents and 2 siblings. The family spent lots of time on the rides in the park with Wilfred especially enjoying the Dragon Rollercoaster!!

Skinflint Rally to attend, but one that will also help to bring in much needed funds which will then pay for a wish such as a LEGOLAND stay? Please get in touch to talk more, you can email our fundraising team on fundraising@rtcw.org Maybe you are looking for a more personal challenge? Then look on our website at the available options or again contact our fundraising team to discuss. We would love to get you involved, we are here to help and support you along your journey, plus you get to wear our challenge t-shirt with pride! You will certainly be seen, just like these guys!!

Three teams from the Round Table Family, including two Round Table teams took part in this year’s Skinflint rally on behalf of RTCW. With one of our teams being crowned the winners for 2022!!!

A LEGOLAND wish costs RTCW around £2000, could you help us with the cost of a wish? Or maybe you would be interested in hosting a fundraising event such as a fire walk, a fantastic spectacle of an event, fun for all

Thank you to all teams for choosing RTCW as their chosen charity and congratulations Melton Mowbray in the Pork Pie car, they even got a well done from Round Table Children’s Wish patron Harry Redknapp!

Thinking of joining the rally next year? Then we would love to have more teams involved!

Visit the fundraising section on our website to

learn more>> www.rtcw.org/fundraising Finally, don’t forget to follow us on our socials for all the latest updates from wish stories to events. We are @RTChildrensWish on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!!!

Thank you for your continued support All at Round Table Children’s Wish #WishesMatter

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Wilfred, age 6 from Kent was diagnosed with Craniopharyngioma, a rare type of brain tumour. This meant Wilfred needed to undergone surgery and go through a course of radiotherapy.

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41 Club Jim Conway looks forward to a packed RT itinerary in his new role

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I am absolutely delighted to be working alongside Matt Fallon this year. Not only are we serving as Presidents together, but we have been great friends for years.

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The work is already being undertaken! We are creating a museum, meeting areas as well as storage space at Marchesi House: a start towards better understanding, more cooperation and more side-byside events.

We are dedicated to pushing the Round Table Family forward, and will be working on a Memorandum of Understanding as well as an umbrella Association, which will ensure close cooperation in the future.

I am looking forward to supporting Matt on his many challenges and hope that as many Tablers as possible will come out in force to support our side by side challenges over the next year. The 41 Club challenge is to set the World Record of visiting every Scottish Football Stadium between 11-13 October in the quickest time.

The Round Table Family already hold the record for the 92 Clubs in the English top divisions, so it seems only right to do the same for Scotland. We are starting at Ross County and finishing at Annan Athletic.

It is not just about raising funds for our charities, but raising awareness through media interventions to publicise the crazy things that we do to make the Round Table Family the clubs of choice for everyone. I am looking forward to meeting you all on my travels.

Yours in Continued Friendship and Continued Tabling.

Jim Conway 41 Club National President 2022-23

Peter McBride - 41 Club National Membership & Round Table Liaison Officer I and some of my Membership Committee really enjoyed meeting many of you at the recent ‘Brum 21 +1’ AGM, manning the 41 Club Membership stall there (I’m the good-looking one at the back).

If you didn’t spot us going into the conference, you definitely heard us coming out at the end.

In 41 Club, our Membership strategy going forward is all about ‘R & R’ – no, not ‘Rest and Relaxation’ – but ‘Recruitment and Retention’ – with the Recruitment part being very much focused on you guys, whose passion is not only the life blood of RTBI, but also the future of 41 Club.

41 Club Membership rule change In our own AGM in Cardiff in April, the 41 Clubs voted in favour of an important change to the rules of Membership. For the very first time in its history, 41 Clubs may now invite like-minded men who were not past members of Round Table and are aged 40 and over, to be considered for membership of 41 Club.

Why was it changed?

It was also recognised that by relying only on ex Round Tablers, 41 Club ran the risk that membership may see a decline in numbers in

future years. (Round Table membership is around 2,700 and 41 Club membership is currently just under 13,000 - down from 14,270 in 2020 and 16,250 in 2015.)

Round Table Regional Reps <-> 41 Club Regional Councillors A priority for me was to encourage closer communication between our two Associations at Regional and Local levels. Round Table has 20 Regional Reps and 41 Club has 25 Regional Councillors and it is vital that these guys work together going forward.

One of my first jobs was to confirm and share the Regional contact details between the two groups and encourage the 41 Club Regional Councillors to proactively reach out to their respective Round Table Regional Reps.

Your National Membership Officer Andy Thorne and the Chairman of your Regional Reps Charlie Eurell have both been really supportive and we are all focused on ensuring closer connections.

We have also held the first meeting between the respective National Membership Officers of the four

Round Table Family of Clubs. We shared our respective plans and agreed to work closely together in mutual support going forward – more on this as plans develop.

Lastly a few facts about 41 Club: • It’s called 41 Club for a reason – when you are over 40, you can be a member of both Associations until you leave Round Table • National Capitation is £14.50 and this is waived for members under 45 • Membership is a natural continuation of your Table journey – you don’t need to be invited, just say you want to join!

• 41 Club has an active International programme – it’s all about continuing the friendships made in Table – and Continued Tabling The next three years may be the most important in the history of both our Associations and there is much to do – I hope to keep you updated about all things 41 Club going forward.

Do you have any comments or questions about 41 Club? If so, please contact me on membership@41club.org Yours in Continued Tabling

Peter McBride

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

It was recognised that many men aged 40+ live very different lives now from when 41 Club was first formed 80 years ago. In recent years, there have been many calls on their time, both with the increased mobility of work locations and a greater involvement in family and childcare etc. These have often meant that they did not ‘discover’ the Round Table family until later in life.

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President's Message Fiona Bull I’m glad I get to serve alongside Matt, Heather and Jim. While it can be hard work being on a national team, we mustn’t forget, this isn’t a job. Like all our associations’ members the four of us joined the family for fun and friendship and that’s our first priority. If we can get the basics right, the rest should be easy!

Look around your club, we come from all walks of life with different strengths and weaknesses but together we form something special, the Round Table Family. We should embrace our individuality, celebrate our differences and know that each member shapes our club through their experiences.

TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

Thanks to the work of previous Presidents and Boards, we have come home to Marchesi House (I could add that an awesome team of women also bought home a little football trophy… unlike the men).

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The heart represents my Area: Area 4, the Heart of England, and the stitching on the heart is for my Circle, Redditch, the home of needles. They are a thank you to those who have supported and encouraged me from the moment I joined back in 2013.

My handwriting hasn’t been tidied up, it’s rough around the edges because no one should have to fake who they are to belong to our gang.

The semi-colon acknowledges that Circle has hit a rocky patch… but we are still going... it’s also a symbol used by those who have hit rock bottom but who have survived… our story isn’t over yet…

Aligning well with Matt’s charity CALM, we both want our members to know that no matter how hard life gets, you have a network of friends that will help, if you can be brave enough to ask. We don’t want to lose any member of the family to suicide and there’s a wealth of tools and knowledge provided by our charities to help us all understand, recognise and feel confident to offer help to those in need.

Being able to have Circle storage, hold meetings and have the new museum to display the family’s heritage is fantastic. As a family we will always be #StrongerTogether and over the year ahead, we have side-by-side President’s challenges to showcase what can be achieved when we do just that.

Here's to a brilliant year ahead for the family and always remember to say yes to any challenge presented to you this year as great things happen when you #GetInvolved and #DoMore

For this year’s Circle theme, I wanted one that every Circler could own. When asked ‘What is Ladies Circle?’, I want every Circler to be proud to say, ‘I am Circle’.

All logos have a story. Mine is based on a tattoo (I’ve never been brave enough to get one) and I chose red – bright, bold, passionate and demands attention!

The roses link to our old logo - we should never forget those that have gone before us.

listening volunteer who answered my call 26 years ago. Samaritans are available 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk on 116 123.

Yours in friendship I’m a survivor so when it came to choosing a national charity for the year, it was easy.

I simply wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a

Fiona Bull

LADIES CIRCLE GB&I NATIONAL PRESIDENT 2022/23

Tabler gives a voice to member businesses

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The Venue Portfolio look after a number of beautiful outdoor event venues across the UK which work as a perfect blank canvas for weddings and events. We offer no corkage hire options as well as full support to coordinate suppliers and timings during the day so anyone that hires one of our spaces can sit back and take part in the party.

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TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

The Telecoms Audit Bureau provides fixed line, mobile, broadband, leased lines, high definition telephone systems and inbound call solutions to business customers all over Great Britain & Ireland. Massive discounts are available to past and present members of Round Table and Ladies Circle. To find out more, check out www.tariffaudit.com, email sales@tariffaudit.com or call us on 0333 200 4011.

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TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

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Founded in 2001, Skillsarena specialise in enabling the consistent measure of people’s skills, knowledge and personality. We provide you with access to a secure online platform that enables you to measure hundreds of skills, knowledge or personality. Anybody within an organisation can purchase access, from global HR teams, to individual managers of small businesses.

You can use our prebuilt assessments or engage the team to create bespoke assessments or convert existing paperbased assessments to online. Skillsarena provide a effective way to verify and evidence a individual’s ability, giving you the confidence to employ, manage and train.

Makers of bespoke and personalised homewares, gifts and furniture. Delice Designs started with my partners obsession with Pinterest and finding things for me to make. After sharing these on social media I soon realised that there was a market for beautiful homemade items that are personal to every customer.

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Specialising in using reclaimed timber we can create unique items that are as functional as they are exquisite and will be a talking point for any visitors.

Some items are available on our Etsy shop but we can also work on commissions to suit your space and style.

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Whether it’s a Eurotunnel crossing or an Around The World cruise, we have the expertise to guide you.

Capture House is proud to have worked with some of the largest brands in the world including Red Bull, Subway, Unilever, Silverstone Circuit and Cadbury delivering photography, videography, design and web design services.

Our content creation helped Great Dunmow Round Table create the largest independent soapbox race in the UK in less than two years. If you want to grow your business and create something you’re proud of, we would love to help.

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A corporate event company covering conferences, training days and incentives. We can take care of all elements of your event from venue finding to delegate management as well as being there on site to make sure everything runs to plan.

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Cannon PR’s approach to public relations is all about delivering results. We are an unashamedly small, independent company, which benefits from significant experience of delivering PR support services to a range of organisations, ranging from ownermanaged businesses to some of Britain's best known brands.

Whether utilising news-based websites, blogs, podcasts, broadcast media or traditional print media outlets, we apply fresh thinking to each client brief and every news story we put together, ensuring each press release produced helps to build credibility, authenticity and authority.

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TABLER MAGAZINE * SUMMER/Autumn 2022

Give 2021 a taste of Italy with Hidden Vines UK

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