HOW IT STARTED
FOUNDING FRIENDSHIPS AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE SINCE 1961.
Round Table is a national organisation that has been running since 1927 with tables across the United Kingdom (now the world) dedicated to forming friendships and doing good within the community.
In 1961, Michael Smith was elected to form a new round table in Great Dunmow. The inaugural meeting took place on the 10th of May 1962 - but not without incident! Hornchurch Round Table had other plans: they seized an entire flitch of bacon loaned by the local factory and shipped it off to Lagos Round Table two days later. However with help from Halstead No 449, Saffron Walden 582, and Rotary Club of Dunmow, GDRT rose rapidly as a force for good amongst its community!
Great Dunmow Round Table has been a positive presence in the community for decades! From 1985-2004, they ran Dunmow Carnival and even made history when they became Guinness World Record Holders by riding the biggest pedal-powered vehicle to raise money - 35k!!
In 2014, our fearless adventurers biked an epic 160 miles from Dunmow to Ypres and back again - all in the name of charity! Their valiant efforts paid off as they raised £56,000 for BLESMA- their biggest donation ever. Later that year we were able to give over 100 grand total to charitable causes.
Fast forward three years and a squad of a dozen cycologists took on another audacious challenge- this time cycling 120 miles from Dunmow all the way out towards Loughborough via a 6-man tandem bike!
It's not all mammoth tasks. Each year we continue to run or support four amazing events: Dunmow Carnival bar, Great Dunmow Fireworks Display followed annually with its beloved Santa’s Christmas Sleigh. Most recently their legacy expands further with The Great Dunmow Soapbox Race becoming the UK's second-largest soapbox race raising thousands for local charities!
Following the same motto created by the national organisation in 1927, we will continue to adopt, adapt and improve to help our community and make some pretty special memories in the process.
You can be part of the next chapter of our story by joining us at our next social!
