Round Table Family of clubs
The Round Table Family organisation is a group of social networking and charitable clubs that together form a worldwide movement of tens of thousands of people.
Round Table
Founded in 1927. Open to men aged 18-45 in Great Britain and Ireland (18-40 in most of the world). All the National Round Table Clubs across the world and are part of Round Table International.
Ladies Circle
Founded in 1932. Open to women aged 18-45. Ladies Circle is a social networking organisation for young women aged between 18 and 45, founded in 1932. It aims to promote friendship through social contact at local, national and international level and to be of service to the community. For many years Circlers were the wives or partners of members of Round Table, but in 1993 the rules were changed and Ladies' Circle is now open to any woman in the age range 18 - 45, and whilst Ladies' Circle work very closely with Round Table on many issues, both business and social, they are a totally independent organisation. All the National Ladies Circle Clubs across the world and are part of Ladies Circle International.
41 Club
Founded in 1945. Open to current or former Round Tablers over 40. The full name is "The Association of Ex-Round Tablers’ Clubs". This club specialises in continuing the friendships made in Round Table. The philosophy of the club is very similar to that of Round Table, but it is often less ‘active’ and in many cases clubs meet less often. The Club's main purpose is to support Round Table and, if possible, participate in local community service initiatives or charity work. However the ‘continued friendship’ and ‘fellowship’ aspect is of great importance. Most clubs meet monthly, often in a public house, golf club or restaurant. Meetings are usually semi-formal with either an activity or a speaker to entertain. Lifelong friendships are often made in 41 Club. To join 41 Club it is a requirement to be a present or former member of Round Table. All the National 41 Clubs across the world and are part of 41 International
Tangent
Founded 1953. Open to women over 45. The National Association of Tangent Clubs is an organisation for women, mainly aged over 45, with a focus on making friends and enjoying a programme of interesting and fun activities, eating out, theatre, walks as well as sometimes supporting local and national causes through fundraising events. All the National Tangent Clubs across the world and are part of Tangent Club International.
Agora
Founded 1987. Open to Women over 42 if they where not Circlers before and over 45 if they where Circlers before. All the National Agora clubs across the world are part of Agora Club International.
Related clubs
- Table Plus. Part of the 41 Club. Open to men aged 45-60.
- Tangle. Part of Tangent. Open to women aged 45-60.
- Agora Club International
References
- Barty-King, Hugh (1977), Round Table: The Search for Fellowship, London: Heinemann
- Creasey, John (1952), Round Table: the First Twenty-Five Years of the Round Table Movement, Norwich: Jarrold & Sons
- Robinson, Jean (1974), CIRCLE THE STORY OF N.A.L.C. 1936-1974, Keighley: NALC
- Wilkinson, Alan (2005), Continued Friendship: Sixty Years of Forty One: The Story of the Association of ex-tablers' Clubs