A POPULAR attraction that has become a major part of Bromsgrove’s festive celebrations will mark 30 years of delighting children at Christmas time.

Bromsgrove Round Table has helped Santa collect more than £100,000 for worthy causes and charities by taking his sleight around the streets of the town every year since 1979.

The trusty sleigh has travelled well over 5000 miles and although occasional repair work has had to be done the ‘fairy dust’ is still holding it together well. A few festive alterations have had to be made over the years, with the most recent addition being a full seatbelt for Santa to keep the ‘elf’ and safety Inspectors happy.

Santa has already visited many roads within Bromsgrove this year, but his forthcoming evening journeys are: · Thursday, December 17 - Hill Top, Deansway and Bream Park.

· Friday, December 18 - Charford · Saturday, December 19 - Morrisons Car Park (daytime) · Sunday, December 20 - Oakalls · Monday, December 21 - Woodland Grange, Pennine Road, Lea Park Rise.

· Tuesday, December 22 - Harwood Park, Rutherford Road · Wednesday, December 23 - Catshill, Lickey End and Townsend Farm.

Bromsgrove Round Table has been active in the town for over 60 years, and although they do charitable work, they are also known by many as a ‘rugby club without the ball’ for men aged 18 to 45. If anyone is interested in joining them, they can email bromsgrovetable@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 07010 700249.

Also, Bromsgrove Round Table is always willing to discuss causes for the charity money they collect. If anybody knows of any they can be contact on the number above.

Simply - it's a "Blokes Club"- but if you want the finer points:-

What's it all about?
• Trying out new activities and sports
• Meeting new people and networking
• Sharing varied and new experiences
• Most of all, having a good time

What's in it for me?
• A great time.
• Instant none judgmental friendship.
• Events for all the family
• Experiences you might otherwise completely miss out on
• We do what four men in a pub can't

Is it just a club to help charities?
• NO. We are a sociable club; some tables raise money for charities because they can- with the backing of the name of Roundtable people take you seriously.

I don't think I can commit
• The famous C word. You are not committing to anything. You can attend any meeting or event as a visitor without obligation and without knowing somebody from Roundtable.(though please let us know you are coming)

What do I have to do to join?
• You do not have to be invited!! Just get in touch. We do expect those who join to actively participate. We meet twice a month with the emphasis on a fun and varied social life.

Is it right for me ?
• Round table makes no distinction between colour, creed, political persuasion, wealth or social standing in fact. You just have to be male and under 45 (and over 18). And no one will try and sell you a pension, insurance etc etc

For more info email

Bromsgrovetable@hotmail.co.uk

Three Bromsgrove Tablers enjoyed an evening of Paintballing with Bewdley and Bridgnorth Round Table clubs. This is a photo of us afterwards with Bewdley Chairman Stuart Young (second from left). We had never done Paintball before and it was great fun.

We are back on the Boat in 2009 and Chairman Ian is getting frisky around the Tardebigge Locks.

We entered the top lock at 7.25, on leaving we passed the only boat going in the opposite direction with comments of “you have started at the wrong time you will not get down the flight tonight” how wrong they were!!!
We stopped for a rest and fantastic buffet at 8.25 after getting down over a 3rd of the flight and set off again around 8.50 arriving in the navigation for a pint around 10.10.

Thanks to Darren for the use of his boat and the effort we all put in I know I am a bit stiff today.

We met up in an Indian restaurant, taking the largest table in the restaurant with other Tablers from Ireland, Leyland, stoke on Trent and Brackley, we had a “good crack” as the Irish put it until the manager threatened to chuck us out for being too rowdy !! Then over to the Weatherspoons pub the number of Tablers to locals where about 3 to 1 a really good atmosphere, met up with a good crowd from South Wales that arrived around 11.30 after a 7.5 hr drive.

The AGM debate was lively and well worth attending.

.. or perhaps not, but we still had a jolly exciting time at the Stoubridge Karting center.

Another great evening of fellowship, food and fermented grape juice at the 2009 Ladies Night of Chairman Craig and his lovely missus Deanne. We are not sure what Dave Walters was doing with that water jug - he never touches the stuff normally..

The overall event raised over £7000 pounds for Orchid!! With the Bromsgrove team raising over £2500!!!!!

Chairman Craig presenting a cheque for the Air Ambulance.

www.countyairambulancetrust.co.uk

Pic of the 4 of us from Bromsgrove taking part. NOTE NO FACE FUNGUS IN SIGHT

It all starts of February 5th for one month - with the purpose being to grow the wackiest moustache we can. Please email with your suggestions!

Please give your support and also check out our donation page:
http://www.bmycharity.com/V2/brt249

This is the finished bridge we built prior to the tidy up and the 3 rail fence being errected.

http://www.dodfordfarm.co.uk/

Here we are stopping off for a quick one to the Boat and Railway Pub.

Here is your chance to come along and find out about Round Table. The evening is planned to be a good way to get to meet Round Tablers doing what they do well!..... eat drink and have a laugh!!