Posted by Freddie Daniells
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On November 9th, 10th and 11th, Toastmasters will be hosting its 2007 UK & Ireland Autumn conference, Toasties and Ghosties in Harrogate. This promises to be a great occasion with the Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests being the main attraction.
I thought it worthwhile to catch up with our busy conference organiser, Johanna Haskins of the Thamesdown Speakers Club, to get the lowdown.
Q. Hi Johanna, we haven't met before. Tell us which club you are a member of and a bit about it?
A. I have been a member of Thamesdown Speakers Club for about 15 years. Thamesdown is a community club based on the main cut through between the M4 and M5 motorways at Blunsdon. We have been chartered for about 27 years and have about 30 members. We also still have 4 of our original charter members. We can also boast 2 District Toastmasters of the Year, not just in one club but actually in one family!
Q. Wow! 4 charter members after 27 years! That is dedication indeed! Tell us, why were you given the role of hosting this years Autumn conference?
A. Ah - now that's a long story....Nick Benning [last years UK and Eire District Governor - Ed] and I were swapping emails on a new paper that Nick is writing on the District's requirements for hosting conferences. And we were both getting a bit concerned that none of the UK Clubs had come forward with a bid for the Autumn Conference and time was moving on. So in one of those rash moments, I said I would do some background research and source a venue if The Usual Suspects would support a 4th bid. [Thamesdown hosted the Autumn 2000 Conference, and I was Conference Director for Margaret Worthy in Coventry 2002 and for David Thompson in Bath 2005].
Q. I too had one of those rash moments when I agreed to be Area Governor! Tell us, what are the highlights that someone attending the conference should look forward to?
A. We have the All Yorkshire Ceroc Dance Champions giving us a display on the Friday. A super live band on the Saturday - the Craic until breakfast .....oh yes and some Toastmastery type things going on around the social aspects.
The Humorous Speech contest on the Saturday afternoon and Table Topics on the Sunday morning.
Q. Sounds fab! I see that there are educational workshops too. I know the ones I saw at the last conference were top class. Maybe you also tell us a little about the Toasties and Ghosties theme? Why did you choose it and what does it mean for me as an attendee?
A. Thamesdown always has a Halloween Party on a Ghosties and Toasties theme which is a shared event with the local Spiritualist Church [hence the Toasties and the Ghosties] - so we thought we'd have our Halloween Party with the District this year! The Friday night is a fancy dress party - the idea being that not everyone is happy dressing up, so they can come as Toasties whilst the rest of us can rob the dressing up box and come as a ghostie or someone who has passed over....... But the serious stuff starts on the Saturday.
The logo was designed to show a Ghostie Toastie too!
Q. Tell us a little about the hotel and facilities there?
A.
The Cairn Hotel is that wonderful mixture of High Edwardian Kitsch and late Victorian Yorkshire Confidence. It has a most beautiful Ball Room with an enormous sprung dance floor (largest in the North of England) painted in ice cream colours and genuine Edwardian Bakelite lampshades, a proper stage and real Corinthian pillars. The public rooms have just been refurbished, and are always full of fresh flowers. All the bedrooms are en suite, the majority have recently been upgraded and all come with the usual tea/coffee, hairdryers and trouser presses. The staff are lovely - really, really helpful and very welcoming. They can supply interpreters for us Southerners too!
Q. Can they help us with the 3am Irish too?
I've heard Harrogate is a lovely place to visit. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
A. Harrogate is a Victorian Spa town - it has some beautiful shops, a super tea shop (Betty's) and a refurbished Turkish Bath. Beautiful public gardens. It is surrounded by wonderful countryside. Oh yes, and within striking distance of the Theakstons's and Black Sheep breweries at Masham.
Q. Breweries? Forget the tea - where do I sign? When do people need to book by and how much does it cost?
A. As soon as possible if they want to be in the main hotel - I only have shared rooms left, no singles. Tickets start from day passes to the Educational Sessions and the Contests from £10. Book on line on the District web site or by email to me at [email protected].
Q. I can't imagine any of our members haven't persuaded their partners to join Toastmasters too but just on the off-chance are partners welcome as well?
A. Yes - provided they are housebroken and do not jump on the furniture, oh sorry - that's pets!
Q. Many thanks Johanna for your time. I know you are running around like the proverbial at the moment trying to get this organised. I am sure I speak for everyone in expressing our thanks for all your effort. Hopefully everyone will buy you a glass of your favourite over the course of the weekend.
A. Thank you - I am always open to such acts of bribery! I look forward to seeing as many Toastmasters from London at the conference as possible.
I too hope that we can get a good turnout of Toastmasters from the London clubs. The conference promises to be a great experience full of learning, great speeches, lots of meeting fellow Toastmasters from across the UK and Ireland combined with masses of fun too! For those needing a single room contact Johanna for details of other local hotels.
If you are interested in attending or learning more here are the key links that you need:
Latest news on conference from District 71 site
Please don't hesitate to contact anyone off either the London or your club committees to find out more details. Alternatively, ask a question in the comments - it may be that others will want to know the answer to your question too.
