Feoffee Yard Project

The first, very early in the life of Table and Circle, major project undertaken was that of work on one of the old peoples cottages in Feoffee Yard. The images shown here are very old now so forgive the brown colouring. Also the newspaper cuttings are scanned from very old pages. Finally, please note that the 10th picture is not showing Alan Matthewman in church kneeling in prayer, it is Alan inside the bungalow laying floor tiles (he did actually work).

Being one of the very first tasks carried out by our new Table, and the fact that it required a great number of man hours from the new group of lads, this project certainly brought out the best in everyone, no matter what skills or resources they could bring to bear.

In addition to this being a very successful local project, as a team building exercise it was an outstanding success.

Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner

One of the most joyful of events put on by Table and Circle was the Christmas Dinner for Toddington Senior Citizens.

The hall was booked the tables etc laid out and the food prepared. Complete with Christmas Crackers and party hats, everyone involved had a wonderful time.

This project became an annual event, and even now still takes place (though many of the Tables and Circlers (41 Club and Tangles) are old enough to be recipients lol.

Christmas Float

Toddington Round Table built its first 'Christmas Float' the year of its Charter. The idea being born to cutout and create two reindeer and the slay. The task of cutting this out of plywood fell to the volunteers from Table and was achieved in a barn on the farm of Tabler Roger Randle.

As with the Feoffee Yard project, this work required a number of skills from a number of different Tablers and proved to be another great team building effort.

The tradition has been repeated every year since and has raised great amounts of money for the local communities. Even with the decline of Round Table membership, this task has continued with joint efforts between local tables and our 41 Club members.

The Dunstable and District able bodied and disabled Typing Club, renamed to the Hayward Club in honour of the founders, the late Mr & Mrs Hayward.

Toddington Round Table became aware of a need to transport handicapped Typing Club members from their homes to the club activity base at the Parish Room by the Priory Church in Dunstable. So volunteers were asked for and the response was really good. A Rota was set up so that each Round Tabler knew when they were required and who they would be picking up and returning home. This was an excellent effort and each of the Tablers came to know the Typing Club individuals really well.

“Dunstable and District able bodied and disabled typing club” is now named the Hayward Club, renamed in honour of the founders, the late Mr. & Mrs. Hayward . Meeting at the Parish Rooms by the Priory Church, which has been their venue since inception. The club now use lap tops. Helping the member with computer skills, providing socials, outings, and a annual holiday.

The current Vice President

John Little, Ex Toddington Table.

Current Drivers who are Ex Toddington Tablers

Russell Aston - Edward Denmark - Steven Jenkins - John Keech - Chris Osborn - Iain Robertson - Einar Sveinbjornsson - Steve Killinger

Trustees

Hedley Denmark - Ex Round Table
Joanna Denmark - Ex Ladies Circle & Tangent.

Adventure Playground

Never missing out on opportunities to work as a team, the Round Tablers of Toddington decided that the children deserved their own Adventure Playground. Having taken over 1 year to build, the playground was officially handed over to Toddington Parish Council by Round Table Chairman Mr Brian Pearson on Thursday 12th January 1978. An excellent effort by all concerned including many of the Dads who came down with their spades and forks to help.

Unfortunately, the first attempt was not sturdy enough (the council believed it was vandalism) and much damage occurred. So re-build/repairs were carried out and the whole playground made much stronger to withstand heavy use.

Toddington Table - Fix It

Toddington Round Table 'Fix It', arranged for good number of local Toddington and area children to fulfil their dream activities. Round Tablers used all of their knowledge and influence (like our Bank Manager, Doug Dix) and great contacts (for the visit to a coal mine and a trip in the Lord Major's ceremonial coach), to make the childrens dreams into realities.

As with many other Round Table projects, our very own John Bryant became the Organiser, writing to all the schools in the area, inviting children to write in with (realistic) requests. Very quickly the requests exceeded 1,000 and John's comment at the time was 'this is going to be a long term project'

A TRIP TO FRANCE

Arranged by John Waller this trip covered a number of requests all in one go. A trip to France, a journey on a high speed train and travelling across the Channel in a Hovercraft. The children were accompanied by John Waller, chairman Malcolm Bass and Chris Hawkes who had a great trip on the pretence that they were going to show the children around Boulagne

ALL AT SEA

Tabler Chris Hawkes wrote to the Royal Navy to complete this wish. A one day trip to meet the Navy. Thankfully, the Royal Navy was really up for the task and laid on a coach to Portsmouth. The children enjoyed a trip around the harbour and an up close look at one of the Submarines, as well as surface ships old (the Victory) and new. Another great day and one the children will never forget.

REACH FOR THE SKY

John Bryant once again used his skills to organise this trip to Cranfield air field for two lucky kids to take a ride in a helicopter.

A TRIP TO BROADCASTING HOUSE

Meeting radio host Dave Lee Travis.

A TRIP TO THE COAL FACE

Tabler Chris Hawkes stepped up to the mark for this request and made all the necessary arrangements for Mandy and her ex-miner grandfather to visit the Chatterley Whitfield Mining Museum at Stoke-on-Trent.