A long-running organisation, focussed on socialisation and the improvement of men’s mental health, have put their motto “Adapt, adopt and improve” to practice with the establishment of a new ‘Man Crèche’ in Armagh.
For many, the term ‘Round Table’ may conjure up archaic images from King Arthur’s time with Knights of equal status all congregating to discuss strategy, chivalry and other important Knightly affairs.
Today, the Round Table still exists. It may have a new, modern-day ethos, but its focus on the congregation of men – rather than Knights – remains unchanged.
As the years have passed, and life has changed, with men generally taking a more central role in the day-to-day of family life, what was once a thriving institution with over 35,000 members has dwindled to approximately 3,000 across the UK and Ireland. Its some 40 groups across the island of Ireland, have now been reduced to four.
One of the four remaining is Armagh Round Table, a particularly active group with eight current members and plenty room for more.
In their latest recruitment drive the organisation has played on the family-centric concerns of the 21st century man by calling on their significant others to send them to ‘Man Creche’!
Armagh Round Table on a Man Crèche paintballing excursion at The Mill
Speaking to Armagh I Armagh Round Table Chairman, Richard Clarke, explained the endeavour: “We want to get out and do something different. Our motto is “Adapt, adopt and improve”, so as the years have gone on what we do is slightly different. Years ago it would have been quite charity based and now it’s more social and charity is still there but it’s in the background of what we do.
“Round Table has a focus on men’s mental health. We try to get people up off the sofa and it’s ideal for men who don’t fit in to sports clubs, or who have relocated to the area and are struggling to meet people, or fit in.
“That’s why we have gone down route of Man Crèche. We are sort of playing at the women to encourage them to come out. We are saying, if your husband or partner is sitting at home, moping about, send them out to us twice a month and we will look after them!”
The ‘equal status’ implication of Arthur’s Round Table also remains unchanged.
As Richard explains: “The only requirement to join is being a male between the ages of 18 and 45. There’s no discrimination allowed, no sectarianism, nothing like that.
“The group of lads we have we would never, ever, ever have bumped into them or became friends in our lifetime but Round Table brings people together and allows people from different backgrounds to meet.”
Richard, who also acts as the Membership Officer for entire island of Ireland, sees potential for growth having been encouraged by the recent establishment of the fourth group.
He added: “We meet fortnightly so it’s not a huge commitment and we try to do it midweek so it doesn’t interfere with family time at the weekends.
“We usually go out on Thursdays and we have snowtubing, glass blowing and other things on the itinerary for next few weeks.
“We try to make it different than four friends going to the pub and having a drink. Honestly you will have the best craic.”
Man Crèche activities will include axe throwing, football, a beer in the pub, dodgeball, disc (frisbee) golf, curry nights, white water rafting and much more.
A few Round Table members at Portadown’s Rage Room
Billed as a ‘social club with a conscience’ the group are also engaged in a Big Winter Coat Drive, taking donations of old or unwanted winter coats which they will then disperse among food banks and community outreach programmes.
A firm believer in the benefits of Round Table, Richard reassures prospective members that the perceived ‘buttoned-up’ legacy of days gone by are no more.
“Years ago it was probably seen as a rich mans club,” continued Richard. “It was businessmen, a lot of suits, ties, chains and regalia and then life got busier with kids and everything else and it sort of declined.
“The thing with round table is it’s designed for young men so a lot of people age out and then the recruitment is not there to keep the new ones coming in.
“I’m in it about 12 years and I don’t understand why there isn’t a hundred fellas looking to join.
“I’ve only another nine years to go and I don’t want to leave but you can’t attract younger, new members with too many older ones loitering about,” he quipped.
In a testament to the success of Round Table he said: “I met my – well, he wasn’t my best friend until I found him at Round Table. We are from completely different walks of life.
“I would never even have bumped into him and now the two of us are thick as thieves and go everywhere together. There’s four weeks between us and we always laugh that they are going to wheel us out in wheelchairs!”
There is an annual membership fee to join Armagh’s Round Table which covers membership, event fees and insurance.
Those wishing to join can express their interest by contacting Armagh Round Table here.
