History of Round Table Belgium
It all began in 1947, when a chance meeting in Liverpool sparked the start of a powerful movement in Belgium — one built on international friendship, shared values, and lasting impact.
The beginnings in Belgium
The adventure of Round Table in Belgium started in March 1947, when Jacques Gilles, during a business trip to England, was invited to attend a meeting of Liverpool Table No. 8. There, he met Ben Woolfenden, then local chairman and soon-to-be chairman of Round Table Great Britain & Ireland (RTBI) and the World Council of Service Clubs (WoCo). Their exchange planted a seed: bringing the Round Table movement to Belgium.
During the following winter, a small core group took shape in Brussels, supported by O. Wiemijer, founding chairman of the Rotterdam Table. The official formation meeting was held on March 19, 1948, with 10 founding members.
Building the Belgian Table
In September 1948, the first national committee was created, with Marcel Rymenant as chairman and Jacques Gilles as secretary. Thanks to strong ties with foreign Tables, the first official recognition ceremony took place on September 24, 1949, with the presence of many international figures:
- Ben Woolfenden (WoCo Chairman)
- Erik Emborg (RT International Chairman)
- Hans Wakkie (Chairman RT Netherlands)
- Henk Bruna (Founder, Dutch Round Table)
- G. Arnback (Swedish RT representative)
- A large delegation from England and the Netherlands
Symbols and structure
The Belgian Table took inspiration from both the Dutch and British models but opted for a simplified charter. The founding documents also envisioned a future integration with Luxembourg and limited the number of members per Table to 40.
Belgium introduced its own symbolic twist: the red rose at the center of the RT emblem was replaced by the Golden Fleece, echoing the prestigious order founded in 1429 by Philip the Good.
First expansion
The second Belgian Table, Antwerp 2, was officially chartered on February 25, 1950, with Walter Heinz as chairman — a figure now remembered as one of the great pioneers of Round Table Belgium.
The official founding meeting of Round Table Belgium as a national association was held on May 6, 1950.
A movement that continues to grow
From its roots in Brussels, Round Table Belgium has grown into a national network of nearly 100 clubs and over 1,500 members, connected not only across regions but also across borders. Guided by the same spirit of "Adopt, Adapt, Improve," Belgian Tablers continue to serve, grow, and build friendships that last a lifetime.
Become part of the story
From a handful of pioneers in 1948 to a nationwide network of passionate members, Round Table Belgium has always been about people coming together to make a difference.
If you’re ready to grow, serve, and connect with others who share your values — the next chapter starts with you.