Fishy story but group still going strong

It was 1958 and a 'curious sea' exhibition was being organised by the Stourbridge Round Table in aid of charity. The fish was mistakenly sent from Fleetwood several days ahead of the launch. It was sliced up and sold at the local fishmongers that day without featuring in the exhibition.

These days the male-only movement is more commonly associated with its annual sleigh rides but the purpose is still the same – to raise money for local causes and at the same time for members to have fun.

This year Stourbridge Round Table celebrates its 80th anniversary. The movement is one that many people have never heard of, and that many would associate with a bunch of grey-haired stuffed-shirts.

But chairman Chris Jones, a project manager for Land Rover, says Round Table has been and still is about socialising and networking.

Mr Jones, aged 38, from White Hill, Kinver, said: "There is the perception of Round Table as some sort of mysterious cult. People generally don't have a clue what it's all about and just think of it as some stuffy organisation.

"But we enjoy all sorts of activities from canoeing, gliding and go-karting to having a pint in the pub.

"We recognise that friends and family fuel the soul and while Round Table is a male only organisation, with the changing times many of our events include partners and family whether it be a camping weekend, wine tasting, black-tie ball or children's party."

In 1927 the youngest member of the Rotary Club in Norwich, Louis Marchesi, decided to create a movement appealing to younger male professionals, aged 18 to 40.

The Rotary Club of Stourbridge decided it would also form a round table and the inaugural meeting was held on January 29 1929.

The founder and president was magistrate HE Palfrey. It is the 11th oldest Round Table in the world and became the Stourbridge and Brierley Hill Round Table in 1995 when the latter folded.

Father-of-two Mr Jones said: "Times have changed since the Round Table was formed and we don't necessarily relate to the foundations laid 80 years ago. However the principles are still relevant and we do have common themes such as wanting to contribute positively to the local community.

"While recognising our past, as a young person's organisation our focus is concentrated on building for the future and holding activities that are meaningful and interesting to the modern man about town."

As chairman Mr Jones chooses a charity to support and at the 80th anniversary celebration on January 31 at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill there will be an auction and funds to benefit the Kinver Volunteer Bureau and Parent Watch.

* The group meets on the first Tuesday in the month at the Plough Inn in Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston. Anyone interested should call Mr Jones on 07874277691.