Tablers hand over second mini-bus

A BRAND new 15 seater minibus for use by Craigavon Community council was handed over by Lurgan Round Table at a ceremony in Waringstown this week in 1975.

For the local Table it was considered its second success in this field as they had previously presented one to Fallowfield Boys’ School.

Members of the Table and their Ladies Circle saw chairman Mr Bill Baird hand over the keys of the vehicle to Mr Gordon Roberts, chairman of the Craigavon Community council. The presentation took place at the Planter’s Tavern.

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The Tablers used various methods to raise money to buy the bus including a car raffle and sponsorship by local businesses. A sponsored walk in 1970 raised £1,400 which went towards the bus for Farrowfield.

Known for its stalls at the Lurgan Show, the Round Table, which had a membership of 29, held its Charter Dinner on Friday, April 14, 1961. From then on the organisation developed. After a brief spell of meeting in the Red Robin restaurant, the Table moved to the Brownlow Arms Hotel and then to the Four Trees in Moira where it continued to gather.

Founder chairman of Lurgan Round Table was Billy Brown with Jim McGaffin, a former Town Clerk, as vice chairman. Mr Jack Balmer was founder president.

The show stalls proved to be a great source of income each year for the Table’s local charity work which included a party at Halloween for the Children and hampers for the elderly at Christmas.

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The Round Table was not solely a charity organisation but sought to promote one of its aims - fellowship.

The purchasing of the minibus was to benefit many groups and organisations within the Craigavon area, schemes like meals on wheels. The bus was garaged, taxed, insured and maintained by the Southern Area Health and Social Services.