The Round Table organisation began with one man’s idea over 75 years ago when he started a new organisation for young men. It was founded by Louis Marchesi at Norwich in 1927 and now has over 1,250 branches with a total membership in excess of 30,000 nationally and 100,000 worldwide.

The motto Adopt, Adapt, Improve came from a speech made to the British Industries Fair in that year by the then Prince of Wales who said: "The young business and professional men of this country must get together round the table, adopt methods that have proved so sound in the past, adapt them to the changing needs of the times and wherever, improve them."

The  Round Table emblem was introduced in 1929 and is a version of the table in the Great Hall at Winchester in Hampshire. Although this is claimed to be the round table of the mythical court of King Arthur, it is in fact a representation which was made in the 13th century.

The organisation is non-political and non-sectarian. Individual tables are autonomous and provide young men with the opportunity to meet socially, participate in community service through their membership of local welfare and other committees, and to raise funds for local, national and international charities and causes.

Round Table is now present in over 70 countries and membership represents a broad cross section of all professions. It came to Bourne in 1966 when there were 23 members meeting fortnightly at the Nag's Head Hotel and the main fund raising events were wine and cheese parties and coffee mornings. Today, membership is down to ten, meeting regularly at the Willoughby Arms at Little Bytham, near Bourne, on the third and fifth Monday of each month.

The group, which is affiliated to Area 30 of the National Association of Round Tables of Great Britain and Ireland, is made up of men aged 18 to 45, from all backgrounds and their message to anyone looking for a social life combined with charitable acts is to go along and join them because there is always something of interest going on. Social events and outings are a frequent and popular way of bringing Round Table members and their families together with a wide variety of activities including jet skiing, barbecues, clay pigeon shooting, gliding, paint balling, cricket, scuba diving, gold, bowling, dog racing, snooker and speedway.

Ten per cent of their time is devoted to fund raising and most years since 2001 the Bourne Round Table has organised the Bourne Festival, a three-day beer and music event at the Wellhead Field in June which attracts large crowds and has already raised more than £20,000 for local good causes. It was suspended in 2007 due to lack of support but sufficient sponsors were found for the festival to resume the following year and is pictured below in June 2008.

REVISED JUNE 2008