The annual tradition has been part of Exeter’s festive season for more years than anyone can remember. For many its arrival on their doorsteps heralds the beginning of the festive season. The brightly lit float (complete with modern ‘underfloat neon lighting’) creates a musical spectacle as it is drawn around the streets of Exeter, accompanied by a team of volunteers who collect money door to door. Father Christmas is in attendance to dispense Christmas cheer and sweets to young and old alike as the float makes steady progress.

It is one of the more high profile examples of Round Table’s involvement in the local community with over 40 individuals giving up 3 or more nights of their December evenings to form the rota of volunteers who collect loose change from the houses visited, continuing in even the most adverse of weather conditions. In 2007 the target is to raise in excess of £2007!

The float collects between 6pm & 8pm on a number of pre-determined street routes in Exeter.

Over the years the money raised by the Round Table Event has been split between local charities including Direct, Force, Hospicecare Exeter, Vranch House, Honeylands, Exeter School for the Deaf & many others.

Record crowds are expected to attend what may well be the last ever firework display held at the St Loyes site on Topsham Road. As St Loyes celebrates its 70th year of operation the selling of the site means that a new venue will need to be found for future Round Table displays.

The event, always held on November 5th , consistently attracts large crowds. Chairman of Exeter Round Table, Mark Richardson, said “Knowing that many of our regulars will wish to attend this last event on the site we would encourage them to buy tickets in advance and turn up as early as possible to ensure they can get in”. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance at an increased number of outlets this year and are already available.

This year we are especially pleased to again welcome ‘Grecian the Lion’, official mascot of Exeter City Football Club, who was so enthused by last year’s display he couldn’t wait to come back again. Once again Exeter’s Blue Anchor Majorette Troupe will be performing an entertaining range of dance routines in the build up to display.

As in previous years there will be a funfair with rides and sideshows, food outlets and a licensed bar. There will also be an opportunity for people who might be interested in helping organise such events to discuss how to go about joining Round Table.

Over the years the money raised by the Round Table Event is split between St Loyes College and donations to other local charities such as Direct, Force, Hospicecare Exeter, Vranch House, Honeylands, Exeter School for the Deaf & many other local charities.

Timings:

• 5.30 gates open
• 6.30 bonfire lit
• 7.15 official opening

• Londis, Sylvania Drive, Exeter
• Quickprint, Sweetbrier Lane, Heavitree
• Specsavers Opticians, Fore Street, Exeter
• Lavis News, Magdalen Road
• Londis, Clyst St Mary
• St Loyes College
• Queen Street News
• Spar, Pinhoe
• Spar, Hoker Road
• Dunns Motors (BP Garage), Marsh Barton
• Woodbury Store, Woodbury

Normally towed around the streets of Exeter throughout the depths of December, as part of an annual Christmas Collection, the float will be on display to promote Round Table and encourage people to consider becoming members.

Chairman of Exeter Round Table, Mark Richardson, commented:
“Members of Round Table get involved in an enormous range of social, sporting and voluntary activities throughout the year. We tend to be most well known for serious fund-raising activities such as the Christmas Float & the annual Firework Display at St Loyes, but in fact we have a very busy programme every month – recent activities have included Quad-Biking, watching the 20:20 Cricket at Taunton, Stewarding at the Race for Life, Sailing and a family beach trip. Common to all of them is enjoyment and a sense of humour – hence the decision to mount a Christmas Display in the middle of August – we try not to take ourselves too seriously!”

He continued:
“One of the great strengths of Round Table is an upper age limit (45 years old) which means that the organisation is always evolving, with fresh ideas coming in with new people. Members are invariably busy people, with active work and family lives, who find Round Table an avenue to put something back into the community whilst having a lot of fun. We are always on the look out for new members and the display on Saturday will provide a good opportunity for anyone who might be interested, but wasn’t sure how to contact us, to come and have an informal chat about what we do and meet some of the existing members. There is even a rumour that Father Christmas might take a break from his Summer Holidays to join us at some point during the day”