Region 7

National Councillor – Rod Hamilton-King

Gents, I am honoured to have been appointed as Caretaker National Councillor for Region 7 Greater Manchester, which is for the current 41 Club year until National Conference 2024 in Liverpool.

I currently live in North Shropshire and whilst not within the region I believe that it is important for you to have a representative at National level to ensure that your views are known. I am a member of two Clubs, one being Market Drayton and also Reading Valley Veterans in Berkshire.

I retired in 2016 and moved to Shropshire and joined Market Drayton 41 Club to learn that they were on the verge of disaffiliating from the Association. Whilst I was unable to change the decision that had already been made, I decided to stick with the club, maintaining my membership of the Association via Reading Valley. Subsequently, Market Drayton realised that they missed being part of the Association and at a meeting during 2019, members decided that reaffiliation was the correct route to go. Following this, Covid came along, which delayed the process, but I am pleased to say that Market Drayton is now “back in the fold”.

I joined Table in Chelmsford in 1980 and I enjoyed everything that Table could offer. A job promotion in 1986 took me to the Thames Valley, where I transferred into Reading Valley Round Table. I took on various roles, firstly as Committee Chairman (Fundraising & Community Service) and then Treasurer, Vice-Chairman and subsequently Chairman in 1993-94. This was unfortunately, my last year in Table, but I did receive an Honorary year as Immediate Past Chairman and was even invited back by a future Chairman as Table President! During my year in the Table Chair, I was invited to 41 Club as a guest and quickly realised there was “life after Table”. I have held various committee positions in Reading Valley 41 Club and have been Chairman twice!

I am a regular attendee at 41 Club National Conference and have had and continue to have such amazing times being part of the “national” scene. I am a firm believer in the maxim of, “you only get out of it what you put into it” and this is true of both Table and 41 Club.

My aims over the coming year are to visit as many clubs as possible, to promote the idea of joint meetings with other clubs and to encourage any clubs wishing to create an XRT club for younger potential members of 41 Club. I also hope to be able to encourage a member within the region to take on the mantle of National Councillor at the end of this current 41 Club year.

I can be contacted via email on region7@41club.org or 07889 171598. I look forward to having the opportunity to meet with you at your club meetings during the year.