The new Area 43 chairman has made himself known. Paraphrasing his introduction, the Chairman has announced:
“My name is David Tiddy, and I am the outgoing Chairman of Llandeilo and Llandovery Round Table 778 and the newly elected Chairman of Area 43. Several of your not so young members will also know the new President of Area 43, Mr Deiniol Williams, a past member of National Council and a past Area Chairman.”
“Please note below that the first event on our initial programme of events for 2012-13 is a meeting of the new Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the 17 tables within Area 43. It will be an evening where we can get together and discuss how Area can work with you, to the advantage of your individual Tables. The meeting is also open to any other members of Round Table who wish to contribute to these discussions.”
May 30th 2012 New Chairman and Vice Chairman meeting Ivy Bush, Carmarthen
January 26th 2013 Area 43 Dinner Dance and Casino night Ivy Bush, Carmarthen
April 6th 2013 AGM Handover Bridgend
May 18th 2013 Llandeilo 778’s 50th Charter night White Hart inn, Llandeilo
After months of planning the 2012 mystery tour fell upon the day of the 21st of April. The men had been told
to bring the following:
- Stout walking shoes
- Waterproof jacket
- 14 hour leave pass
- Themselves to High St Station, Swansea for 08:30hrs
At the station the first clue of the day was catch the 09:02 train to Carmarthen. So all 13 of us plodded onto the platform carrying 3 bags of ‘special’ refreshments. Once aboard, I asked Harri if we should open the Scrumpy? “Can’t you wait till we set off!?”. Two minutes later the scrump’ was unleashed. Not bad too at £4.50 for 2 litres.
After being treated to the spectacular views of Ferryside and the Loughor Estuary, we arrived in Carmarthen one hour later, oh and some additional new hairs were now on chests thanks to
the cloudy Scrumpy.
At the station the second clue was unveiled. “Make contact with local historian Mr Jeremy John”. I had previously asked Jeremy to keep schtoom about the days events. Jeremy led the party of already weary tourers up the steps of the Carmathenshire County Hall.
We were then shown around some sites of interest in the town before making our way down to the trackbed of the old Carmarthen to Aberyswyth railway.
It suddenly dawned on a few of the lads that we were going to walk to Bronwydd. Hefyn was suitable unimpressed to return to his old stomping ground. Hefyn then regailed us with stories of how “I used to walk up here in the dark after a night out in Carmarthen”, none of us believed him as it was hard enough in daylight.
Maybe beer goggles would help in the dark?
On reaching Bronwydd Station we were housed by our tour guide in the newly
refurbished tea rooms of the Gwili Railway Company. These carriages were under refurbishment and before being converted we were the first to christen them.
Lunch was washed down with a bit more Scrumpy and we were then given the opportunity to be shown the signal box.
As soon as this was viewed we were ushered onto an awaiting train. ‘The Gwili’ were taking rookie drivers through their paces and luckily offered us a free ride to Danycoed Station. As the train set off we waved to Mrs Jones (Hefyn’s mam) in the window. It was at this point the men started asking “how are were going to get back to Carmarthen…..”, paniced faces all round.
The third clue was now unveiled. You are to stay on the train until the Danycoed station, where the final clue of the day will be provided. Fortunately there was no mutiny, and the last clue of the day was:
Travel on foot to the village of Llanpumsaint……where a pub and meal awaits you.
A sigh of relief and the thought of beer spurred the men on to start the 3.5 mile walk (cough cough it was much further than that!). Before we departed Adrian (The Chairman elect) was desperate to wear the drivers hat and blow his whistle (ooo eeerr).
The walk was very pleasant if not a tad overgrown in places. As one of our party stopped (should that be stooped? ED) for a call of nature, Nicolai (The Norwegian contingent) regailed us with stories of people being shot in the arse as the toilet paper looked like a deer’s tail. Fortunately that did not happen on the day. It would be fair to say though that in those sleepy Carmarthen valleys you could not see further than 10 meters due to foliage.
Finally we arrived at the Railway Inn in Llanpumsaint where Mike Chamberlain (the landord) had laid on sausage and chips for us all. There was a quick presentation of a bottle of port to thank Mr John for all his hard efforts, which was then washed down with plenty of real ale…… Several hours later…… Team Swansea Round Table had entered into drinking competitions with the natives and severly lost. It was time to leave!!!
After a short taxi ride into Carmarthen (£25 for 16 men, cheap) the party really got underway….. The outcome. We all made it home in three stages. Those wanting Brownie points made it back on the 20:45 train. Those wanting to stay out of trouble caught the 22:45 train. Those who got into trouble stayed the night in Carmarthen, had a cooked breakfast and made it home the next day (Classic!)
All thoughts now turn to the next mystery tour in 2013. Jamie
The BBC’s Children in Need Pudsey Bear was spotted this October enjoying himself and making the most of the unrivalled beauty of the Gower Peninsular. He indulged in some of the amazing outdoor pursuits available on Gower in preparation for this years Children in Need campaign.
Swansea Round Table is working in conjunction with the BBC and the National Round Table in an effort to raise as much awareness as possible of Children in Need this year. Together they embarked upon a mission to catch Pudsey in some of the most beautiful places the British Isles have to offer and where better to have visited than the first area to be designated an AONB – the Gower Peninsula.
Pudsey was spotted at Swansea airport with the Ospreys Air Display team, surfing on Langland Bay, eating Ice cream on Mumbles front and horse riding across Three Cliffs Bay.
Swansea Round Table’s president Dafydd Griffiths said the aim was not only to raise awareness for this years Children in Need event on the 18th November but also to help the national Round Table meet a record breaking collection total of over £110,000 and still counting.
There is now! On the 6th of May Swansea Round Tablers, Swansea 41 club members and guests dined on the 27th floor of the Meridian Tower in Swansea. During an excellent three course meal presentations and handover ceremonies were performed.
Martin Holt became the new President of Swansea Round Table after a rousing speech, delivered by the outgoing President John Spence ESQ. Followed shortly after Dr Dafydd Griffiths (Dentist) being handed the Chairman’s chain of office by outgoing Chairman Koert Pelders ESQ. Martin Holt presented the exclusive (shurley there must be shum mishtake, change to elusive. Ed) chain to the 78th year Chairman.
- Mr Martin Holt handing inducting the new chairman Dafydd
Chairman presenting the Vice Chairman's chain to Mr Adrian Evans
- From left to right: Adrian Evans (VC) ESQ, Dr. Juj Rai, Minty Peterson (57), Marcus Brace (57), Rob Collins (S41 club), Neil Chamberlain (57), Harri Lloyd Davies (57), Dr Nik Patel (57), Mike Price (57), Martin Holt (President) ESQ, Dr Dafydd Griffiths (Chairman), Tony Currell (57), Richard John (57), Dave Hardwich (S41 Club), Ricki Purdy (57), Jamie Gwilliam (57), Andrew Hughes (57), Craig Miller (57), Russell Halliday (S41 Club), Chris Evans MBE (Past), Quentin Morris (S41 Club), Koert Pelders (Immediate Past Chairman
An article from Swansea Round Tabler Tony Currell on International Tabling at its best.
I cast my mind back to Christmas 2009 and the Annual RT57 Swansea Charity Santa Sleigh Run was in full swing around the frozen streets of Swansea; my first major challenge as Club Chairman. An email arrives out of the blue from Pisa, Italy – “RT57 Pisa are hosting the Italy AGM and EMATM in June 2011, please come! YiT Luca Bruschini” And why not, the weather will be great in Tuscany in June and who cares if I don’t know what an EMATM is!!! So cheap flights booked and registration made…
So my wife Denise and I arrived in Pisa, met at the airport, as promised, by a smiling Italian Tabler and whisked smoothly and efficiently to our beautiful hotel by the sea in Tirrenia. Luggage disposed we headed pool-side for a welcome drink. And this is where the magic of Round Table begins to enfold, because at this point we didn’t know a soul but within 30 minutes it was like we were long lost friends of Danes, Norwegians, Icelandics, Estonians, Austrians, Romanians, etc., etc., and the party was about to begin… And that I’m sorry to say is another story (if you buy me a drink I may tell), but just for a moment let me introduce two fine Icelandic Tablers, Thorhallur and Niale (and their delightful wives Anita and Gudrun) with whom we had the greatest of times. An EMATM, by the way is the Annual Meeting of the IROs for all Round Tables in the European, Mediterranean and African regions, and Thorhallur was Icelandic IRO, Niale their President. Come to Iceland they said, you’ll love it, it’s beautiful, we’ll look after you…
Iceland
So earlier this year I get a message from Thorhallur, he’s going to be Vice President of Round Table Iceland in 2011/12, President the year after. What are we to do but to book flights there and then and plan our trip? Of course we didn’t know then that we would have to turn down invites to William and Kathryn’s wedding, but Table must come first, they’ll understand!!! And so on Thursday 28th April we headed for Heathrow and the afternoon Icelandair flight to Keflavik, Iceland. Leaving unseasonably hot April weather behind us we wondered what Iceland would offer us. Iceland is a land of ancient legend and sayings, the most poignant being “If you don’t like the weather in Iceland just wait four minutes and it will change!” Wind and driving rain greeted our arrival, but so too did a couple of cheerful Tablers from Keflavik who put us safely on the bus to Reykjavik saying don’t worry Thorhallur and a few more Icelandic Tablers will be there to meet you and so they were. So suitably beered up, we climbed into a four-by-four and headed for Selfoss and a horse-riding farm & guesthouse in the mountains close to a certain volcano. This is where we would meet the rest of the International Tablers and guess what we knew more than half of them already from Pisa! More magic of Table.Friday arrived, the weather much improved and after a fantastic breakfast of homemade breads, cheeses and cakes we headed out for some sightseeing through this amazing volcanic landscape. Snow-capped mountains, glaciers, steam rising everywhere, the ominous presence of active volcanoes and plates. Lunch was in a Tabler’s summer bungalow on a glacial lake and was the most delicious lobster and monkfish soup cooked by Thorhallur. Then we headed for the location of the world’s oldest Parliament at Thingvellir, which dates to the 10th century and is also where continental Europe and North America are splitting apart. And so we headed back to Keflavik, our home for two nights, in wooden cabins.
Arrival!
A good and raucous evening, capped by the notorious nations night, where each country produces typical food and alcohol in varying degrees of yuckiness. I can say that the Icelandic sheep’s head is now a particular favourite of mine, although this perhaps doesn’t come close to the putrefied shark I tried later in the trip! Thankfully, Welsh Vodka does help the taste go away!
Wooden Iceland retreat
Friday night in Keflavik would be Disco Night! And later the night-life of Keflavik would beckon. Now I know at this point you are concerned that the price of alcohol in Iceland is not for the faint hearted, but never fear, a combination of the 2008 crash, a more-than-favourable exchange rate and the ingenuity of Keflavik Ladies Circle got us down to the bargain price of £2.50 per pint and for additional staying power Salmiakki, a liquorice flavoured liquor. Daybreak beckoned!!!
Friendship made for life
Saturday already!
The Icelandic AGM was now in full swing, but International Tablers were excused for more sightseeing and the highlight of the weekend, the Blue Lagoon. Saturday afternoon bathing in beautifully hot geothermal water, beer in hand, who cares if it snows!!! And so to pre-dinner cocktails and the Gala Dinner, a blue Icelandic comedian (I know how blue because Thorhallur’s wife Anita translated for me!!), and the Icelandic equivalent of Chris Evans as DJ! Boy they know how to party in Iceland!
And so, as you do, I get talking to some boys from the Vestermann Islands, the main island of which was buried by ash from it’s volcano in the 1990s and it’s 5000 inhabitants evacuated; Surtsey is nearby! Next year they host the Iceland AGM, are we coming? It would be rude not too!! We had a great time in Iceland, thanks to all Icelandic Tablers and Ladies Circlers for making us so welcome, and particularly to Thorhallur for his wonderful hospitality. Round Table Island is a vibrant and young Tabling environment, with thirteen tables and an amazing one tabler for every 630 of the country’s 300,000 inhabitants. Already looking forward to next year!
Iceland Rondel on a 4x4
Tony Currell
Left to right: Adrian, Minty, Jamie, Dafydd, Koert, Nigel, Tony, Chops, Pig, Beal, Unknown, Unknown, Owain, Tony, John, Meirion
Six members of Swansea Round Table attended the handover dinner of Swansea Valley Round Table on Saturday the 9th of April. Through impressive transport arrangement SVRT 795 organised a fun-bus to collect us from the Queens in Swansea. A joint effort by Minty and Adrian provided cheeky Vimto’s (Port & WKD) for all concerned.
Rob Beal handed over to incoming Chairman Nigel Thomas (image of eyelashed Chairman too embarrassing to upload). 
A presidential Scouser kept on interrupting the meeting. Who is that?
During the meal current Chairman Koert was likened to the Swansea City goal keeper. The dutchman celebrated in true style by playing with his orange instrument (ooo eeer)
It was an excellent night of fellowship which Swansea hopes to reciprocate on the 6th of May at the handover dinner in the Grape and Olive (Tower).
Members of Swansea Round Table attended the Mumbles leg of the RNLI SOS appeal
Father Christmas has contacted Swansea Round Table & Mumbles 41 Club with the dates he intends to visit the boys and girls of Swansea.
Monday 6th December – Bishopston
Tuesday 7th December – Tircoed
Wednesday 8th December – West Cross
Thursday 9th December - Caswell
Friday 10th December – Tycoch
Saturday 11th December - Mumbles Farmers Market
Monday 13th December – Derwen Fawr
Tuesday 14th December – Hendrefoilan
Wednesday 15th December – Newton
Thursday 16th December – Mayals
Friday 17th December -Pennard
Any press enquiries should be directed to Jamie on 07813006513
On Friday the 15th of October 2010, members and guest of Swansea Round Table met to celebrate the 77th anniversary of its Charter in 1933.
The evening was held at the Norton House Hotel. Following a sumptous three course dinner Swansea Round Table welcomed it newest member Mr Mike Price. Mr Price was inducted by the current Area 43 chairman Mr Wayne Street.
John Spence (Swansea President), Dafydd Griffiths (Swansea Vice Chairman), Koert Conradus Pelders (Swansea Chairman), Wayne Street ESQ (Area 43 Chairman), Tony Currell (Swansea Immediate Past Chairman) Darren Sewell (Top row – Area 43 Vice Chairman), Quentin Morris (Ex Swansea Tabler), Jamie Gwilliam (Top row – SRT), Rob Collins (Ex Swansea Tabler), Jeremy ‘wot no part in the picture’ Saunders (Mumbles 41 Club), Craig Miller (Top row – honourary member SRT), Chris Evans MBE (Ex Swansea Tabler), Neil Chairman (SRT), Mike Price (Newest SRT member!), Harri Lloyd-Davies (SRT), Ricki Purdy (SRT)
The Area Chairman of Neath Round Table 434 said in his address “Its a proud moment to induct a new Tabler into the movement and into our sponsor Table. I wish Mike the very best in his future years of Tabling”. A photograph was taken in front of a ‘trophy’ flag collected from some European destination. The evening was concluded by the Loyal toast from the newest member.
All booked – 8 members, 2 cars, 4 tents, 76 rashers of bacon and bad navigation all you ever wanted for a Tabler trip!!
It all started on a beautiful mid June morning, after a couple of Mohitos generously supplied by Craig we headed for the motorway and remembered that the trip to Dover takes the longest time.
Once across the water we headed down from Calais to Abberville and on to Rouen where we experienced a huge down pour making hotel location near impossible, steak and frits later all seemed good.
Friday morning and on to Le Mans for supplies, beer beer and beer, plus 8 baguettes (to be used as sponges to dry the tents) and a tub of cheese. Claimed our tent spot next to some Germans, Dutch and Leicester boys with their old route master bus and an array of mini motor bikes to keep the noise level engine music all weekend.
Wow what a place, 250,000 motor heads partying and watching motor racing, as we wandered the huge 13 mile site that first night we came across not only villages of Danes, Brits and Germans but also a thing they call “Mad Friday” this consists of water pistols spraying very expensive cars whilst wheel spinning down the road, not for the faint hearted!!
Saturday morning we started slowly, with egg and bacon butties, cups of coffee and recalling the night before (Harri), the rain had made us feel like at home during the night, whilst Dav’s and Richard’s tent leaked, hence the use of baguettes as sponges. Around mid day the event really starts to build with vintage Le Mans racing, girls dancing and exhibitions showing a huge selection of mad motoring machines.
We made our way to the Dunlop curves to get the best view possible for the start and watched the madness as 41 teams start the race at 3pm to race the next 24 hours non stop.
The fun and access to the racing is just amazing and the Table 57, Swansea clan bonded as a well oiled machine should, including a football game played against our much younger Leicester friends on Sunday afternoon after walking the track back from the start / finish after the race, we were only just beaten 8 goals to 7.
By the way Audi won and we witnessed an amazing event – think a biannual event could be set for the foreseeable future – start your engines for 2012
