A LIVELY social group for Bromsgrove businessmen is appealing for more members to join in a host of fun activities.

Bromsgrove Round Table is well known for its popular Santa sleigh each year, which collects thousands of pounds for good causes, but there is far more to the club than rattling tins.

Some of the Table's twice monthly meetings have included go-karting, truck driving, Indian banquets, snooker tournaments, tug of war, black tie dinners plus the odd beer or two.

The group is open to men aged between 18 and 45 and meets for activities, a social evening or guest speakers.

Recruitment officer Mike Everard said: "Everyone knows the Round Table for the Santa sleigh, which we do voluntary in the two weeks prior to Christmas. It is hard work walking the roads for hours and collecting cash, but to see excitement on a child's face when they see Santa makes it all worth while.

"The round table is a social club where you can make great friends and take part in activities you may never get the chance to do otherwise."

Mike said numbers at the club had dwindled down to just 12, whereas five years ago membership was about 35 to 40.

Many Tablers leave when they hit the upper age limit, but Mike is hoping the new housing developments have brought new businessmen in their 30s into the town.

Mike, who moved to Bromsgrove in 2000, said he had made a host of new friends since joining the table.

"We have great nights out and a lot of fun. We learn from each other and do something different each month. We do charity work, but that is only a small part of the club."

Since 2000 Bromsgrove Round Table has raised nearly £15,000, of which the County Air Ambulance and Chadsgrove School have been among the benefactors. Other cash has been used to buy toys for the children's ward at the Alexandra hospital.

Mike said: "We are proud of the work we do and want more people to join in with us. We are only physically constrained by the number of people we have, the more we have the more we can do," he added.

Mike and the tablers team are now busy discussing plans for the Santa sleigh, which last year raised £4,200. Members do at least three turns each to go out with the sleigh around the town's roads. The new Oakalls development alone takes the group six hours to cover.

The town tablers have been having so much fun that this year their wives, determined not to be left out, re-established the ladies' circle, which also meets twice a month.

Mike added: "We would love to welcome new people to the group. They can come along as a guest to find out more about us before they join."

For more information contact Mike on 0870 8502 111 or go to the group's website at www.bromsgrove-roundtable.org