Darren Hickling put the invitation out for Beeston to join Long Eaton in a night of Touch Rugby, Fun and Fellowship at the home of Long Eaton Rugby Club.

The evening began with some light warming up, followed by some ball handling skills (yep there is no answer to that!).

Once the rugby club were happy with our lack of ability they threw us in to a couple of games of touch rugby. The first the full length of the pitch, the second just the half pitch size!

We retired to the bar for a couple of well earned beers and a chilli. Whilst there we were treated to a rundown on the current state and future plans for Long Eaton Rugby Club, from their current chairman Chris Brookes.

A great night was had by all, even if a few players were rather stiff the next day, as Rob Digby quoted ‘the only thing not aching are my eye lashes’

Many thanks to Darren Hickling and Long Eaton Round Table for organising and extending the invitation to little ol’ Beeston and thanks to the boys from Long Eaton Rugby Club who made us very welcome and only sniggered a couple of times throughout the night.

YiT
Mikey

Chairman Marcus Jones is pictured with librarian Caryn Welch and two of the pupils.

Caryn explained, “The kindles would be available to all the pupils of the federation. They can aid encouraging reluctant readers, also with the ability to change fonts and sizes they can assist pupils with dyslexia and dyspraxia”.

What are you doing next Monday? Join Beeston & District Round Table for fun, fellowship and giving something back

Mike Richardson

Please take 2 minutes to read below. At the end of it you’ll have a few choices.

1: Ignore it and do nothing

2: Pass the information to another contact and businesses for further sponsorship

3: find my page on Facebook (like it and share it) Gerard’s Anglo-Suisse 740 mile run

4: find me on Twitter ( follow and re-tweet ) @anglosuisserun

Please can you help ?

I am running from my house in Duffield, near Derby, to my home village of Seleute, in the North West of Switzerland. The distance is just over 740 miles, and will take a month to complete on foot. The route covers approximately 275 miles through England, 448 miles in France and 16 miles in Switzerland. I will be running a marathon a day!

‘WHY do such a mad thing?’, I hear you ask! (as many have asked before!) In recent years there have been six ladies in Duffield diagnosed with Breast Cancer; which given the population of 5000 is astounding! To make matters worse they have all been in their 40’s with young families, some of whom are still at primary school. The last person touched by this devastating disease counts amongst my closest friends. I have seen first hand the harshness both the disease and the gruelling treatment can have. Treatment which lasts about a year, involves chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Whilst this gives hope of a cure, it comes with the cost of hair-loss, general fitness and loss of self-esteem. Apart from feeling unable to help, except through moral support, I felt I had to do something. My epic run to Switzerland is it!

This expedition is a big physical and moral effort for me. I will be leaving my family alone for a month, which as I’m self employed is a big sacrifice, for a cause to which I would like to make a big difference. I would like to raise £20,000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign, a charity set up with the aim of finding a cure for Breast Cancer. My expedition is possible thanks to help from the Round Table team and friends who will provide food and lodging for the night as I go through their region. I am doing this fundraising to help to detect cancers earlier, because nobody is immune to this dreadful disease. I lost both of my parents to Cancer at the age of 59.

How can you help this very worthwhile cause? It could be financial, but it could simply be publicity on your noticeboards, or any other way you think you can help. Your donation, however big or small really will make a difference. Please see my links to just-giving, text-giving and my website below. Facebook and Twitter will be my voice and friend throughout my trip. With the help of a GPS tracker, everybody will be able to follow my journey live.

I’m looking forward to my expedition with a little trepidation, but that is nothing compared to the struggle these ladies have had to face.

Please give generously

Gérard Varin
www.anglo-suisse.net

Email: info@anglo-suisse.net

http://www.justgiving.com/Gerard-Varin

Text: suis53 £ .. to 70070

We have also placed this link on our Facebook page as we want to show how much fun Round Table can be and by putting our “best bits” on public display attract new members to our Table. The link is also family friendly!

Tom Bailey

Saturday 14th January saw over 90 old aged pensioners and community members treated to a fabulous 4 course meal and an afternoon of fun and friendship with a smattering of dancing and bingo all courtesy of Beeston & District 573.

The day started at 9.00am, for the Tablers, with Bosco Townsend arriving with all the utensils, food and ability to make it happen.

Like a well oiled machine (not from the night before, it is the 25th time this has been done!) The early team prepared the room for the guests and the back room for service and cooking. With a few choice words from Bosco everything was in order for the day.

Come 11.30am the afternoon crew turned up, dressed in black tie with a smile on their faces, to collect 65 of the anticipated 94 guests.

As the guest arrived they were treated to pre dinner drinks and some piped music ready for the event.

Dinners was promptly served at 1.00pm with crackers pulled, tummies full and coffee poured Terry Day launched into his music set.

With the party rolling Roger Dainty stepped up to deliver the bingo in his usual style.

With 4.00pm approaching the day was brought to a close with the tablers chauffeuring the guests back home.

Many thanks to all the tablers, friends, partners, siblings who all mucked in and made it into a truly memorable day for not only those attending but also those participating.

Thank you to the St John Ambulance crew who were on hand just in case and to John Manley Area 14 Chairman for supporting our event.

We counted then all in and we counted them all back out again.

COME ON BEESTON

Mike Richardson

Marcus Jones presented the 2nd Chilwell Scout group with a cheque for £250.00

Following a brief outline of the Round Tables activities Marcus thanked the Scouts for their help on the Christmas float this year and handed the donation to scout leader Adrian Clarke. The scout group will be using the funds to update their camping equipment for the forth coming year.

COME ON BEESTON!

Mike Richardson

Quite easy really ‘You just have to ask!”And that is exactly what I asked of the tablers of Leicester DeMontfort 500.

On February 1^st 2011, LDM500 held their first Thames Team Leader meeting at Past National President Bennett’s, Oadby retreat. It was here that the challenge date was set for the 7^th – 10^th July 2011. So we had a date to aim for, now for the small matter of actually doing it. In order to streamline our approach team leaders looked after various disciplines.

So there it was, 5 months to assemble our paddlers and support crew, find the necessary equipment and convince anybody we could to part with their money.

Being Tablers we then descended on those who would feed us, Chateau Boddices was the stop for our next meeting, here besides a copious amount of alcohol and cheese and biscuits the virtues of how we should traverse the waters of the Thames was decided upon. Having debated the advantages of using two man kayaks, as opposed to rowing boats, dragon boats or a paddle steamer (this is table!) the decision was made. Two man kayaks it was to be.

We actually managed 6 team leader meetings, mostly around Chateau Boddices in which the highlights were fish ‘n’ chips, chilli, cheese and biscuits and some challenge business of course!

Then of course there was the small matter of learning how to paddle. For this we descended on the Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre (LOPC), spending many a Saturday morning on (and in) the river Soar. We also achieved our level 1 star awards into the bargain.

Fundraising began in earnest at the May Glenstock Music Festival in which £1200 was raised. A fabulous auction night on the 4^th July also hosted by the Forge, Glenfield realised a further £1400.

Challenge date 7^th July 2011

The challenge starts from LOPC on the morning of 7^th July, with kayaks in tow making our way to the first camp site in Bedford’s Battle Bus, President Ward, the Logistics team leader and myself.

The Land Cruiser as supplied by Farmer and Carlisle of Loughborough ferried everybody else in extreme comfort.

We arrived at the Bridge House Campsite in Lechlade at 2pm, where we then proceeded to put the kettle on and have a rest, until we realised that we needed to erect the tents as well. So here started our one-with-nature experience, using a one man kettle and burner. Who was entrusted with supplying equipment? Still the logistics team, very thoughtfully put us bang next door to a local hostelry, visits to similar establishments becoming a nightly trait throughout the challenge.

Thinking perhaps we should make a start in doing what we had actually come all this way to do, we eventually ventured down from the source of the river to find the first point we could float the kayaks. Armed with Google Maps the challenge was afoot. We arrived at Cricklade Bridge, ‘place by the river crossing’ and managed to launch. We then proceeded to paddle to St Johns Lock where we had our photo taken by LDM500’s official photographer, Foz Matthews (the only one with a camera!) and then stopped to ponder what we had let ourselves in for. With our first stretch of eleven miles under our belts the local pub was calling.

That night it was a visit to Lechlade’s local, a mixed grill coupled with a few pints and the Atlantic Ocean could be ours.

Challenge Date – 8^th July 2011

Well I guess it was only fair that the Chairman was first in the water at 6am, after all it was his daft idea, and so IPC and I accompanied by Messer’s Moss and Lomas were off. I’m sure some of our members didn’t realise there were two 6 O’clocks in one day, given we didn’t see them until mid morning, contentedly full with McDonald’s breakfast!

Paddling took us through Radcot Lock where Oliver Cromwell is said to have fought a ‘skirmish’ in 1645 and Rushey Lock whose lock house was previously a guest house, providing a peaceful retreat for famous names such as Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn. 41 club members you’ll know who they are!

Support soon arrived in the form of LDM 41 Club and LDM 850 Ladies Circle at the Shifford lock, TDM was heard to remark, ‘tea never tasted so good’. Our support crew then proceeded to head to our Friday night campsite, Bride Villa Caravan and Camping International, Wallingford to erect tents.

Later that day paddling took us through Godstow where there remain the ruins of a nunnery dating back to the 1100s. Deep in legends of scandal, it was in the nunnery that Henry II met his mistress, Rosamund Clifford. Later the nunnery became notorious for its ‘hospitality’ towards the young monks at Oxford!

On that note, our ‘hospitality’ arrived in the form of Ladies Circle at Abingdon Lock where they had prepared a very welcome late lunch with Tiger beer arriving, courtesy of Mark Newman and the Everards Brewery.

Challenge Date – 9^th July 2011

In the water at 6am again, at Culham Lock, the somnolent JC, Weller, Richardson and Wardy got the day off to a start. In contrast a spirited support crew very shrewdly having booked themselves into 5 star non-tent accommodation met us at Cleeve Lock about mid morning.

Saturday presented us with its own trials, locked gates proving most challenging, and resulting in 1 to 2 mile hikes before kayaking could commence. Times like this made us thankful we did a lock survey! Still President Ward thought he would keep our spirits up by assigning us nicknames! And so 10 tablers duly became, the Wham Sisters (so named for their moisturising tendencies), Laurel and Hardy, Crystal Tips and Alistair, Little and Large and Victor and Margaret.

Being table, the opportunity to swag and acquire some property was too good to miss. So if anybody knows where this small buoy lives please let us know!

Paddling took us through; Goring Lock, where we received £5 from a total stranger (who in recognising Round Table, instantly knew we all had to be mad).

Henley on Thames, why did this stretch take so long? (Perhaps the ‘fit’ women along the bank had something to do with the speed of the paddlers) and Marlow Lock. Marlow’s original prosperity was brought about by the Knights Templar who had a house at nearby Bisham and built the first bridge over the Thames here.

Paddling by this time was taking its toll. Our 41 club chairman, suffering muscle spasms booked himself into a well earned three course meal and a proper bed that night.

Saturday saw myself and Ash finish at approx 9pm at Marlow Lock, to be greeted by the team stumbling out of the local pub. So that night, burgers and kebabs would set us up before heading for Laleham Camping Club, Thameside.

Challenge Date – 10^th July 2011

Starting at Marlow Lock 6am were Crystal Tips and Alistair and Little and Large. The end was in sight, Teddington Lock here we come.

Along the way £50 was gratefully received from a boat full of happy holidaymakers from Guernsey in Boveney Lock . This just proving that Round Table can both touch and stimulate generosity among people near and far.

Paddlers that day passed by Windsor Castle and through Bell Weir Lock which is upstream from Runneymead where the Magna Carter was signed. Finally emerging at Teddington Lock at approximately 7pm the challenge was complete.

Moving forward to September 2011 in support of LDM500, Leicester St Martin’s 41 Club Chairman Jeff Newton and their members held a charity dinner, in which the guest speaker was Ed Stafford, the first man to walk the Amazon. What common ground I thought LDM500 shared with him. This realised in excess of £600 towards our final total for which we are extremely grateful.

My personal thanks go to everybody involved in making this challenge a reality. Yes it was hard work, but it was a pleasure. We are well on our way to raising a staggering £14,000 which is tremendous. Not bad for 10 generally unfit tablers!

You can still support this challenge, by visiting the website at: www.demontfort500.org.uk where you will be able to contribute through the ‘donate online button’ or by contacting LDM500 directly.

Simon Riley
Chairman LDM500

Ragini (LC chair for Leicester) talked of the challenge plate that has been set up between the two clubs, however unfortunately they managed to have the plate swagged on the night (tut tut). I am sure the Area Chairman can arrange for its safe return at the Area 14 Bowling competition on Tuesday 22nd November in Ilkeston.

Also this weekend was the Newark Ball, which although I was unable to attend, I hear great things from those that were able to attend. I look forward to being able to attend another Newark night before I end my chairman’s year.

So what next?

Thursday 17th November – Bingham Charter
Friday 18th November – Children In Need
Saturday 19th November – Loughborough Ladies night
Tuesday 22nd November – Area 14 Bowling night

I hope to see you all soon, especially if you have an event that you would like me to attend, drop me a line.

YiT
Johnny Mad Dog MacManley

Thursday was Bingham & Radcliffe’s turn to hold their charter, ably resided over by Jason Hull. This was not only a celebration of B&C 59th year, but also the final year of Past Area Chairman Kevin Horn, our very own South African immigrant. It was a fantastic evening at Ashmores Restaurant in Radcliffe-on-Trent, with their guest speaker Phil Smeeton. Phil entertained the room with stories from his acting career, covering Sharp through to Judge Dread. There was even an attempt at Joke from the Area Chairman – well we all need to try something once!

Friday of course was Children in Need, with a large amount of effort going into fund raising all across area. This year National and the BBC teamed up as never before providing collecting tins, signage, Hi-vizs and even Pudsey key rings. If you have any feed back then please do pass onto Tom Bailey or myself as to your feelings of how these helped. So far I have had feed back from three tables and from these we have raised £6k. Hopefully from all across area we can hit the £10k mark. Congratulations must go once again to Hucknall who made it on to the live BBC coverage.

For me not only did I support Derby Merlin going rounds the pubs of South Derbyshire Friday night, I also has the honour of joining Ashby RT (to infinity and beyond) at their street collection on the High Street. Not only did they raise £400 on the Friday, they raised a further £1500 on the Saturday morning.

From the street it was time to dash home, switch my wings for a DJ to join the Loughborough boys in entertaining their Ladies!! I was really impressed by the way Table and Circle work side by side putting on a fantastic evening. Jim (or James as he seems to be known around the ladies) spilled the beans on all the bad habits of Loughborough whilst Lynn Bailey gave a performance evaluation of Jim’s abilities, which thankfully he just about passed. We also had a chance to see the Mo’s from the boys as well as raising over £300 for the cause.

All in all a great weekend and there is still more to come. The 22nd is Area Bowling in Ilkeston, followed by the Mo party in Leicester the next Wednesday (30th)

See you all soon,
Johnny Mad Dog MacManley