Focus on: Marlow Round Table

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Marlow Round Table – what’s that all about then?  This is what I hoped to learn during the past 12 months when I had the pleasure of being invited to be an “Honorary Member” of the Marlow Round Table for the year.

Marlow Round Table – in a nutshell

In short, I would say it’s simply about meeting up and socialising with a great bunch of blokes, while also doing your bit to contribute to the local community. They get together once a month for an “official” meeting, but have other social events too. They organise some key community events during the year – these raise funds which the Table then distribute to local causes. Marlow Round Table is open to those who live or work in and around Marlow and are aged between 18 and 45 

Social Events

rebellion to snowdon
Socials near and far – from Rebellion to Snowdon

The monthly “official” meetings are fun and social in nature – these are always held in a pub, which does no harm on that front! Aside from this, there are regular events which are purely social – bike rides, brewery nights, comedy clubs, dragon boat racing and dodgeball are some examples from my 12 months. There are also trips further afield – a trek up Snowdon took place in 2016.  I made the effort to attend as many of the events as I could, was made to feel very welcome, and had great fun. I’m even in one of the photos above – just look for the most attractive bloke 🙂

Community Events and Fundraising

marlow round table events

Marlow Round Table has a handful of key events it organises, and these are the cornerstone of the fundraising activities. Credit has to go to all the members who put in the considerable effort to pull all this off!

  • Marlow May Fayre – this popular annual event in Higginson Park would not even exist if it were not for the Round Table. They are very prominent in running the BBQ and bar, but they actually organise the whole event.  Date for your diary – it’s on 13th May this year.
  • Regatta Bar – if you bought a drink at the Town Regatta, then you were served by a Table member.
  • Santa float – travelling the streets of Marlow dressed as Santa in his “sleigh” to delight children and collect cash!  
  • Children in Need collection – traditionally tolls are collected on Marlow Bridge and this money all goes to Children in Need, of course

Donating to the local community

A recent £1,500 donation to Horizon Sports

Since 2013, Marlow Round Table has donated over £65,000 to local deserving causes.  Donations have been made to many well known organisations, such as Marlow Opportunity Playgroup, Age Concern, Longridge, local schools, scouts and guides and others. But there have also many lesser known recipients, groups and individuals.  Our photo, for example, shows a recent £1,500 donation to Horizon Sports Club which provides after-school sports activities for children and young people with disabilities in the South Bucks area.  

Groups can apply for specific donations, and these are discussed at the monthly meeting. The decision is always made at the meeting, and money is transferred very quickly. It felt very rewarding being part of these discussions, and I was impressed at the variety of local causes that were helped during my year. 

How to find out more, and join

My year of involvement with Marlow Round Table has been thoroughly rewarding. On MyMarlow we have promoted Table’s events for years, and it was great to actually get a view from the inside – it was nothing like what I was expecting – in a good way.  

If this sounds like something you would be interested in being part of, then contact Max Mertes on marlowanddistrict@roundtable.org.

Article author: Paul Merchant

About the author: Founded MyMarlow.co.uk in its original version back in 2000 - yes the internet DID exist back then. Brought up in Marlow, went to school here, now has children at the same schools. Quite clearly loves all things Marlow - hence spending over 2 decades doing this!

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