On JANUARY 17th 1929, the Founder of the Round Table Movement, Louis Marchesi together with the President of Bournemouth Round Table, Tabler W. Tarrant, attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of Poole, and it was at this meeting that the formation of a Round Table in the Borough of Poole was first discussed. They requested Victor Hawkes to form a branch of Round Table in Poole. The Round Table Movement was growing rapidly in those early days, Bournemouth Table only having been formed in July of the previous year, and the formation of Poole Table took little time.

Poole Table have on four occasions provided the Chairman for Area meetings, Tabler R. Newton being the first and Tabler K. King the second, both for Area 1. More recently Gerry Gallop in 1987, and in 2001 Nick Latham served as Area Chairmen for Area 48. Tabler WJ Palmer served on the National Executive as Treasurer in 1935, and Andrew Hawkes served on the National Sales Committee in 1987. Other Tablers regularly serve on the Area 48 Executive. Area 48 being the local area covering Poole and surrounding towns.

The first elected Chairman was, Tabler Ronald Cornwell, who was the son of the Mayor of Poole, Councillor A.E.Cornwell. Tabler Cornwell in his year of office, played an extremely active part in National affairs, and in the very first issue of Table News and Views dated June 1929, it was reported that Tabler Cornwell attended the first National Conference, and had proposed the adoption of the National Rules and Constitution of Round Table. Ronald Cornwell's son has become a successful spy writer using the non de plume of  John le Carré.

Poole Round Table was instrumental in the formation of the first Round Table in London, City of London No.13 have since formed Tables at Swanage No. 435 and Wimborne No. 548.  Members who emigrated have formed two Tables in New Zealand at Invercargill and the capital Wellington, both as far away from Poole as you can get in the civilized World!  Within one year of the Inaugural Meeting the membership had increased to some thirty Tablers, although there appears to have been an even greater fluctuation of members in the early days than there is now. Membership increased during the thirties, not without some difficulty, until the outbreak of war. At the outbreak of war in 1940, numbers drastically reduced, as Tablers were drafted into the armed services to be sent abroad to fight. Poole table was combined with Bournemouth No.5 for the remainder of the hostilities which was to be five years. At the same time the age limit of 40 was suspended to enable members of Round Table to keep contact with other members and meet like-minded people.

In 1946 at the end of the war Table was revived and restarted at a meeting held at the Oriental Club in Broadstone, under the Chairmanship of Tabler R. Newton on 12 March 1946 when only a few of the pre-war Tablers were present. However, under Tabler Newton's guidance, the Table membership quickly regained strength and prospered. During the late 1960's membership crept up to 40 members, and remained constant with 30 to 35 members to about 1986 when all the "Baby Boomers" reached the age of 40 and retired into Poole 41 Club. Since that date Table has struggled to find new members dropping down to 8 members at one time, Membership has hovered around 15 for several years and now in 2007 is 14 active members. The average age being 41. This is due to the retirement age being extended from 40 to 45 years.

Reading through our old records brings to light some interesting facts. In 1930, the cost of Table Dinner was 1/-, and in 1963, Poole Table was meeting at the Antelope Hotel where, after the usual discussion it was, reluctantly agreed that the cost of the meal would have to be increased to 2/6, again in 1982 there was great discussion and threats of leaving the Antelope for a cheaper venue, the cost was increased to £7.50. In the year 2007 the meal cost is £15.00 and every one pays without complaint.

Fund raising for Charity is something Table has always excelled in. During the 1930's, Table, held a "Grand Car Ballot" and as a result Poole Table was able present a cheque for £1,670 to the Mayor for his Charities.  In the 1960's Donkey Derby's and Boxing Tournaments were popular. In the 1970's Jumble sale's and Cheese and Wine raised great amounts of money, at one time Table took over the ex Tesco Supermarket at 101 High Street filled it with Jumble (including a Car!), and raised £4000 in a day. In the 1980's the Quay Fair was organised, followed in the 1990's by Raft Racing on Poole Park Lake, this was later replaced, due to pollution of the lake waters by Wheel Barrow racing. At Christmas a Father Christmas Float was hauled around the houses of Canford Heath for many years until Insurance wouldn't allow Santa on a moving Sleigh! In recent years Table has taken over Cafe Shore on Sandbanks to host a charity fundraising dinner. This has proved to be a huge success with Tribute Bands providing the entertainment and raising over £3000 each occasion. Table also set up a community service committee whose job was to spend the money raised by the fund raising, this was usually a most difficult task as there was never enough to help every one. Table always managed to help the most needy and there are a lot of very grateful people in Poole where the money is always spent.

Poole Table also played is part in national disasters at Lynmouth, Abbervan and the earthquake disasters in Italy and Greece. Social events are always being organised from informal dinner party and picnic's to the traditional Ladies Night with its popular cabaret, and of course the legendary Carol Service at Christmas time. Poole Table have joined an informal association of all the number 12 Tables in Europe, calling itself "Euro 12", hosting and entertaining members and families of  European Tables, and visiting other European 12's in the intervening years. At various times Poole has struck up close friendships with other Tables such as Antrim No.914 in Ireland, Lichfield No.1200, Millom & District No.1212 and with the Dirty Dozen with the No.12's in its Table number.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary Poole Table decided to re-instigate the office of Honorary President,  this continues today, and Table is able to offer past tablers 'Another year in Table' which also means they are able to keep contact with the retired members who have moved on to 41 Club. Poole Round Table celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2004 and has stood the test of time, may it go forward in to its run up to its century, and prosper in the Borough of Poole.