What we do

The Roast Beef Club was named with the French term of endearment for the English in mind – “Les Rosbifs”. The club was formed in 2008 when a group of 30 friends, led by Joel Baseley (MBE), came together to celebrate St. George’s Day.

All attendees were given a club tie and a very jolly lunch ensued. One person happened to have a cricket bat with them that had been signed by a number of (very) minor county cricketers and this was sportingly offered for auction. It raised £500 which was promptly donated to The Lord’s Taverners, the principal cricketing charity.

Spirits were high that day, and it was recognised that this might be a template for future fun and fundraising. We decided to focus our efforts on the British military – giving directly to a chosen regimental charity each year. These charities then administer the funds as they see fit, generally supporting veterans and their families cope with life outside of the Armed Forces. Often these brave people have the added complication of life changing disabilities on top of the difficult transition into the civilian work place.

In 2020, in recognition of The Roast Beef Club’s contribution to armed forces charities, Joel Baseley, the club’s long standing chairman, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Following on from this, in 2022 (after a short break due to the covid pandemic) the Roast Beef Club raised a record amount for The Household Cavalry and The Queen’s Royal Hussars, bringing the total raised for military charities to £2.0 million.

At the heart of the club there is friendship, humour, a common interest in sport and a sense of gratitude towards our Armed Forces. This seems to be a popular combination.

Typically the lunches are attended by numerous sporting personalities, particularly from the world of rugby, and we can boast an incredible list of speakers. Whilst  we are proud to have many well-known English sportsmen and women among our members it is our Military heroes that we look upon with particular reverence. To be in the same room as triple amputee and endurance athlete Mark Ormrod is humbling. To hear the first hand account of how Jonson Beharry was awarded his VC is moving. To match Brian Wood MC pint for pint is impossible.

The Roast Beef always looks to grow and to raise more money for military charities. However, we keep focused on friendship, inclusivity, camaraderie and having fun whilst giving a little bit back.

NB: The Roast Beef Club is not a registered charity. It operates as a non-profit limited company run by volunteer