BARNSLEY Round Table has undergone a major resurgence in the last year and many local groups and charities have reaped the benefits.
None more so than Weston Park Cancer Charity with the men’s social group announcing earlier this year that it will fuel one of the charity’s free transport service buses for the next three years.
The group’s generous support kicked off with a £3,700 donation which will cover fuel costs for the Barnsley bus service throughout 2025 and the Tablers will be making similar donations in 2026 and 2027.
Following a national trend, the local branch of the Round Table had been in decline due partly to the Covid Lockdown and last year it only had four members.
Since then recently-appointed chairman Jonny Brown and vice-chairman Joe Winstanley have worked hard to rebuild the membership and expand its activities.
This not only involves making donations from the proceeds of the Locke Park bonfire which the group has organised for decades. Now 16-strong, the Tablers are always looking for ways to help the town in anyway they can.
Members’ day jobs range from policing to IT, teaching to paramedic, and they are all dedicated to building the group and placing it at the heart of the community.
Jonny said: “The group, as is the case nationally with the Round Table, had been declining. At one stage we only had four members. I’ve been involved for two years now and we decided that we really wanted to grow the group so we started with friends and friends of friends and gradually we grew to where we are now with sixteen members.
“We now have lots more social events and are building links with the community.”
The donations have gone to a wide variety of groups and charities including Barnsley Hospice, BIADS, Barnsley Youth Choir, Dream Big Theatre, Matthew’s A Friend in Me, IDAS and Barnsley Food Bank to name but a few.
“We try to help as many causes as possible anyone can apply but we do have some filters & the money has to stay in Barnsley and has to benefit the wider community rather than individual appeals.
“The donations are really important and we are always blown away by what people are doing for the area. We are currently working on a big donation to the hospice but it isn’t just about money we want to get involved more in Barnsley.
“We are looking at launching a summer event in Locke Park as we have a lot of experience through organising the annual bonfire and firework display.
“And when we make a donation we try to develop relationships with the groups we’re giving to see how we can help them moving forward. We have struggled to spread the word about the Round Table and what we’re looking to achieve.
“We’d love to hear from groups and charities we can help in whatever way it could be anything. We’ve done a lot of work to help IDASS create a nicer space. We’ll pitch in even if you need a dozen or so men to help with a litter pick or something, get in touch.
“We are also expanding our relationship with Friends of Locke Park.
Barnsley Round Table’s efforts this year has been recognised widely by the Round Table Great Britain & Ireland.
“I was personally awarded “Area Round Tabler of the Year” and was also nominated for National “Tabler of the Year” and whilst these were individual awards, they represent our efforts being widely recognised by the wider organisation,” said Jonny.
“We’re all really into what we’re doing. We have made great friendships and the modern Round Table is inclusive of everyone. Our vice chairman Joe is a massive part of the Round Table and does so much for the group and the wider community.”
Barnsley Round Table has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley Award.
