I have created a table and placed it inside a columns environment; which
works as advertised. However, if I place any text before the column
environment, the columns break. More clearly stated, only one column
appears on the first table page; whereas two columns resume on subsequent
pages. I have attached a mwe where you can use --mode=title to invoke the
broken columns.

Any advice on how to place text above the columns environment would be
gratefully received.

With kind regards,

Michael