Edward Johns, Bideford

Edward Johns, 35, is an accountant who has been a member of Bideford Round Table for six years. He describes his first time at National Conference, in Killarney, Ireland, in 2006, as: "... the most enjoyable long weekend of my life." We spoke to him to find out why.

"I set off with my girlfriend, two Bideford Tablers and two members of Ladies Circle, and flew via Bristol airport to arrive at Shannon airport, where we collected a minibus", he said.

"We stayed in Limerick overnight and then travelled down to Killarney, arriving on Friday lunchtime to check in for conference.

"That night was the President's Ball, which was attended by around 1,000 people in total. I was aiming to propose at our table, but fellow Tabler Ian McHugh whisked me off to the stage and managed to arrange for the band to ask my girlfriend, Kerry, if she would come up on stage as she had won a prize.

"Unfortunately she was otherwise engaged in the Ladies, so I was left waiting very nervously in the wings for her return.

"The band then tried again, by which time the two other Ladies in our group had made sure that she was waiting near the stage! Once she was on the stage I appeared and went down on one knee. Luckily she said "Yes", which brought rapturous applause from the audience of almost 1,000 people.

"We returned to our table and cracked open the champagne! For the rest of the weekend we felt like celebrities as so many well-wishers came up to talk to us.

"Ever since that weekend, wherever my Tabling has taken me (I am currently Area 19 Chairman) that weekend is often mentioned, and is one that will never be forgotten!"

Edward and Kerry were married in July, 2007, and their first child was born in November, 2008.