Groups including Solihull Guide Dogs, Coppice Junior School, Parkview Day Centre, 492 Solihull Squadron ATC, FastAid and Reynaulds Cross School have all received support from Solihull Round Table

Charities, community groups and clubs from across Solihull are being offered a share of £12,000 by Solihull Round Table during 2012. This donation by Solihull Round Table is hoping to make a difference to a number of organisations feeling the pinch from the economic downturn.

The initiative, ‘12 for 12’, which launched on Monday with a presentation to a number of groups by the Mayor, has been possible due to the over-whelming success of their annual Fireworks event and Christmas Collections.

Solihull Round Table has traditionally supported local causes but never in its 63-year history has been able to give away this kind of sum and make such a difference to the numerous charities and organisations that put so much back into the community.

Current Chairman, Paul Jennings, is eager to give the community some much-need support.

“We really want to make a difference to those groups who put so much into the community and we’re in a position to do this following the success of our fireworks and Christmas events,” he said “We are aware that there are a lot groups who have special projects or those that struggle for financial support but give so much back and I am not sure how many organisations are aware that we can help them.”

“We hope that through ‘12 for 12’ people will get a greater understanding of what Round Table is about and the part it plays in the community. Being able to giveaway £12,000 is a marvellous achievement and we’re looking forward to helping a number of charities.”

Solihull Round Table will meet a number of times throughout the year and will assess applications at that time. Organisations are not restricted to how much they can request but must complete the application form. The deadline for the first round of applications is 5^th April 2012.

Organisations who want to be considered for a share of the ‘12 for 12’ fund should submit their request via an official application form, which they can request by emailing 12for12@solihullroundtable.co.uk

Guess who’s coming to town?

Father Christmas has already sent word that he will be visiting Solihull again this year with his helpers from Solihull Round Table  in advance of his main rush on Christmas eve.

From the 5th December Father Christmas and his helpers will be seen around the town collecting for local charities

Routes

• 5th December – Cornyx Lane Area
• 6th December – Wagon Lane Area
• 7th December – Hillfield Area
• 8th December – Monastery Drive Area
• 11th December – Alderbrook Road Area
• 12th December – Rowood Drive Area
• 13th December – Prospect Lane Area
• 14th December – Dovehouse Lane Area
• 15th December – Links Drive Area
• 19th December – Ulleries Road Area
• 20th December – Widney Lane Area
• 21st December – Old Lode Lane Area

Fireworks 2011

Solihull Round Table Chairman 2011 - Paul Jennings

It was as proud moment for me when, at the AGM in April 2011, I became the 62nd Chairman of Solihull Round Table after being a member of Solihull for 5 years.

I originally joined the Round Table movement 8 years ago in Winchester where I was living at the time. I was chatting with a friend in our local pub and he said to me ‘I’m off go-karting with a load of guys, do you fancy coming along?’ . I agreed and I was hooked. Over the next few months I learned more about Winchester Round Table and got myself involved with the organisation of their Bonfire and Fireworks display along with taking part in activities such as clay pigeon shooting and LaserQuest.

It was not long before I realised that I wanted to be part of this truly global organisation and signed up. I was inducted to Winchester Round Table as part of Wine Tasting Night. I spent another few years at Winchester, getting involved with international trips and charity events such as taking over the local cinema for a Gala Premier Film night.

There is an old adage that goes ‘the more you put in the more you get out’, that cannot be said enough of being part of Round Table. Round Table has given me the opportunity to develop leadership and organisational skills which I have taken into my professional career.

It was with mixed feelings that I announced to Winchester that I was moving to Solihull, sad that I was leaving a great bunch of guys of which I have made many friends, but joyful in the fact that I was moving back to my home town for a great opportunity in the professional and home life.

It was with no hesitation that I contacted Solihull Round Table and told them that I was coming and could I meet up. The chairman and a number of members arranged to meet me in a local bar and tell me about Solihull Round Table and some of the activities that it does. As soon as I got home I was filling in my transfer forms to become officially a member of Solihull Round Table.

5 years later I am now the Chairman of Solihull Round Table and I have already had the honour of inducting 2 new members to Solihull and, quite by chance, meeting the Chief Executive of Round Table. I am looking forward to a fantastic year, with a fantastic Table.

I have now updated the Diary Page of the website so you can see what we’re up to for the next 12 months and if you’re interested in coming along – let me know!

We Did, We Do, YOU CAN! 

Paul Jennings

Chairman, Solihull Round Table 209

Round Table

Yet again, thanks to sponsorship, we have been able to provide this fantastic evening FREE OF CHARGE

Solihull Round Table Fireworks 2010

The Details:

• THE EVENT IS FREE
• Saturday 6th November
• Tudor Grange Park
• From 5.30pm
• Free parking will be available in Monkspath Hall Car Park (with thanks to Solihull Council)

Entertainment

BRMB will be on site to entertain you and a number of local schools and scout groups will be providing food and novelties for sale.

The Good Cause

Every member of Round Table gives their time freely and for what we think is a fantastic local community event. This year we are truly honoured to say that we will be supporting the local charity TroopAid and we hope you will also support them by giving generously on the evening.

(To find out more about TroopAid read our previous Blog entry here.)

Sponsorship

It is with great thanks, and without whose help this event could not take place, that we acknowledge our fantastic sponsors this year:

Fireworks Partners:

John Lewis Solihull

Specsavers Solihull

Touchwood Solihull

Hospitality Partner

Ramada Solihull

Venue Partner

Solihull Council

Troop Aid

Who are they…

TROOP AID was founded in November 2006 by three ex servicemen as a result of a visit to Selly Oak Hospital’s Alexandra Wing in Birmingham. This is the home of the Defence Medical Welfare Services who are responsible for the welfare of all Armed Forces Personnel, male and female who have been injured during the conflict in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

What do they do…

When Troops return to the United Kingdom from the war zones they arrive back without their personal effects or clothing. The objective of TROOP AID is to supply the ‘basic essentials’ when service casualties return from serving their country overseas.

Grab Bag

Examples of what they supply are a GRAB BAG containing washing and shaving kit, towel, face flannel, shower mules, socks, underwear, t-shirt and shorts. Female requirements are also provided. Troop Aids GRAB BAGS are currently being sent out to the UK Military Hospitals in Afghanistan, the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and other Ministry of Defence Hospital Units within the UK.

How do they do it…

Funds come entirely from fund raising events and donations from organisations such as Help for Heroes, Rotary International, Lions International, The Monday Club in Kuwait, ex Service Associations, the local business community, the general public and several British expatriate communities overseas. Troop Aid pledge to continue to help our Troops returning from conflicts for as long as possible.

TROOP AID understands that everyone who joins the Armed Forces may one day go to war and fight for their country. We believe that when injured Troops return home they should be cared for. At the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital injured servicemen and women receive the very best medical care.

Jason Wilkes, Chairman of Solihull Round Table and ex-service man himself, said “We at Solihull Round Table are extremely proud to support Troop Aid and the work that they are doing. Service men and women give so much on  the front line, so anything we can do to help them when they get back is a bonus.”

With great enthusiasm (making up for the lack of skill) we took ourselves out to Quarry Park Frisbee Golf Course to try out Frisbee Golf. Needless to say it was the taking part that counts as each of ended up more times in the bushes than on the fairway!

I think that I will let the video tell its own story.

This is just the sort of thing that we get up to. If you’re interested in find out out more then get in touch!

Joined: 2000

Table jobs: Chairman 08-09, Fireworks, Christmas, GDB (General Dogs Body!)

Introduced by: Nick Davies

First Meeting: Water skiing and I ached for days after!

Most enjoyable Table event: The next one is always best—but International Trip to Krakow takes some beating.

Proudest moment: Handing over the keys to the new minibus to Reynalds Cross Special Needs School, and receiving the thanks from the children there. Amazing!

Occupation: Chartered Accountant/Financial Advisor and Director of Eales Wealth Management Ltd. Managing investment portfolios for clients and advising on tax and retirement strategies. Table has given me talking points with clients, an antidote to hard work, and a great bunch of guys to talk to.

Lyndon on Tour

Table International Trip: Krakow—had a bit of everything.

Music: Pop-Rock

Artiste:: The Killers, Queen, ELO

Song: American Pie

Karaoke choice: Bohemian Rhapsody

Drive: Mercedes

Kids: Zoe (16), Molly (14) and Poppy (12); They are into just about all sports including Athletics, Netball, Cross Country; Shopping, Soap Operas and X-Factor – just to prove they are all female!

Favourites:

Holiday Location: Florida, Spain and Borneo

Restaurant: Patio Andalucia – La Campana

Film: Notting Hill

Way to spend Sunday: Read papers, Walk Dog, feed Alpacas, watch sport, swim, massage, meal out and a decent bottle of vino.

Sport: Rugby, Football, Cricket and Athletics.

TV Series: Gavin and Stacey

Comedian: Rob Brydon

Gadget: Sky+

What makes Table “special”: We have a great balance between enjoying ourselves and doing a bit for the local community.

Lyndon Carving

If you want to find out more about Solihull Round Table – get in contact!

If you’re interested please come along. Click on the picture for more information.

Come & Find out about Solihull Round Table

Solihull Round Table on Tour 2010

Having met at silly o’clock on a cold Friday morning at East Midlands Airport the weekend was officially declared “open” by Tour Dad Kevin with a toast of an obligatory pint of Guinness.  Following a full fried breakfast to settle the stomach we boarded the plane and headed east –  so far so good! 

Two hours later we were met at the airport by the taxi and delivered to our hotel, all of us acting like tourists pointing out all the interesting sites that we never see in the UK – snow, McDonalds, snow, Travelodge, snow, PizzaHut and snow! 40 minutes later our witty observations turned to awe as we started to see some of the real city of Wroclaw. 

Having settled into the hotel, and eaten some lunch, we were off on a 3 hour tour of the Old City. A fascinating way to get to know any city learning about its history, its culture and it’s people.  For instance, did you know that Wroclaw changed country(!) every 200 hundred years! The city has also retained the charm of naked gas lamps to light the streets, lit each evening by a council employee who walks around with a naked flame and a gas canister over his shoulder. Good old-fashioned Health and Safety. 

Wroclaw

Wroclaw

Wroclaw

We rounded off the evening with a meal in one of the many micro breweries that the town is famous for. Now I know what you may be thinking “That’s a strange place for Round Tablerers to gather” but you know the saying “When in Rome…!” 

Saturday morning came very early, especially as we found ourselves obliged to sample many of the brews that were available, along with the occasional vodka (another local speciality) . 

As is tradition with Solihull Round Table we thought the best way to scare away the hangover fairies would be to go and shoot some guns! 

We were introduced to Colly. a funny, warm pleasant sort of chap… well I am sure his mother thinks so. He introduced himself ”My name is Colly.” There was a long pause as he thought for a while and then said “That is all you need to know about me”. The consensus was it would be best not to ask. 

After a short safety briefing, and no-one was going to break the rules or upset our friendly host, we were ready to take on the world (actually all we were allowed to take on was some mean looking paper targets!).  We were allowed to fire a pistol, AK47 and a pump-action shotgun. Most of us hit a target, some of us hit the target we were aiming for! 

Guns

Saturday afternoon was some relax and wind-down time. Some of the party still had a few beer monkeys to get rid off and were in need of sleep (known as the lightweights) while others felt the need to welcome a few more into the ranch. Those that decided to stay out had the mission to find the only pub in the whole of the town that was showing the opening games of the 6 Nations Rugby. 

Wins for the Irish and the English and meeting fellow “Peggers” set the evening off to a fine start. Hungry now, we were ready to hit the restaurant for a wonderful banquet of Polish cuisine, washed down with local beer and a few vodkas and a game or two of Fuzzy Duck, Bunnies and the obligatory Marbles. We were happy in the knowledge that the following morning was at least 8 hours away. 

That 8 hours soon ran out! Morning came with a bigger bang that it did the day before with watch alarms and mobile phones waking Solihull Round Table out of their slumber and back into the real world. Breakfast was quiet as those beer monkeys were putting in another appearance. We would be back in Blighty, in the arms of our loved ones, at lunchtime on Sunday. 

Another successful international exploration and we can now successfully say that we have been to Wroclaw and are cultured!