The London Speaker

London Toastmasters Public Speaking Events w/c 3 October 2011

Post from Dorothea Stuart

Mon 3 Oct 7.00pm Area 29 Contest Night. Winners from Lawspeak Toastmasters, London Athenians, Riverside Communicators, Trojans Speakers, West London Speakers compete for the Area Humorous Speech and Table Topics trophies.   Venue: Upstairs function room, The Hop Poles 17-19 King Street Hammersmith W6 9HR. Close to Hammersmith underground and bus stations. Area champions go on to the London finals on Saturday 15 October.

Wed 5 Oct 7pm Area 47 Contest Night. Winners from Angel Speakers, Excalibur Speakers, London Communicators, Man Speakers Northern Lights Speakers, WIBF Speakers - City compete for the Area Humorous Speech and Table Topics trophies.   Venue: The London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, NW1 9XB MAP. Area champions go on to the London finals on Saturday 15 October.

Wed 5 Oct 6.15pm for 6.30pm start. Free Table Topics Workshop led by Paul Carroll (a UK & Ireland Table Topics Champion).  Hosted by St Paul's Speakers. Venue: The Spectator, Little Britain, EC1A 7BX. All welcome - please come along and bring your friends!

London Toastmasters Table Topics and Humorous Speech Contest finals are at the London Toastmasters mini-conference on Saturday 15 October, at Imperial College South Kensington.

The UK & Ireland Finals will be held at Toastmasters D71 in Glasgow 11-13 November 2011. Book at http://flourish2011.co.uk/. 

London Toastmasters Area 31 Contest Results

From Greg Ros, Area 31Governor

Area 31 Double Win For Speakers Corner

On a warm autumn evening, deep in the bowels of Canary Wharf, the Area 31 Humorous Speech and Table Topics contest saw first time entrants Speakers Corner (McGraw-Hill) walk away with both coveted first prizes.

Hosted by State Street in their sumptuous 12th floor conference suite, the humorous speech contestants were first to battle it out for a place in the Division B London Finals.  Entertained by such subjects as wedding anniversaries, sexy accountant, and Vietnamese cuisine, the judges had a mighty task before them to select a winner.  However, emerging victorious from the fray was Matthew Lucas, who humbly accepted the Area shield with a mix of both surprise and gratitude.

In the second half, contest chair (Greg Ros) turned up the heat on the table topics contestants, with the subject "Every cloud has a silver lining".  Responses were diverse, ranging from poignant to jovial.  In the end, Francis Browne snatched the top spot with his relaxed delivery and witty rapport.

Both area winners can now look forward to an even greater experience, as first time participants in the London Finals on Saturday 15^th October.  Be there to support them!!

The full results were as follow:

Humorous Speech Contest

1) Matthew Lucas (Speakers Corner)

2) Adolfo Tunon (Citi Criers)

3) Paul Coulson (Speak Easy @ Credit Suisse)

Table Topics Contest

1) Francis Browne (Speakers Corner)

2) Susan Clarke (Citi Criers)

3) Jeanne Kruger (Canary Wharf Communicators)

Pictured (L-R) : Greg Ros (Area 31 Governor), Francis Browne, Matthew Lucas, Andy Pape (Chief Judge)

Drama in Speaking Workshop - Marlow Orators

From Amanda Bouch, Marlow Orators

Marlow Orators is hosting a special workshop on Drama in Speaking on Thursday 20 October 2011, from 7:30 – 9:30 at All Saints Hall in Marlow and you are all invited.  This is an open evening for all Toastmasters and their guests, but be prepared to participate in the exercises. 

I met Richard James at Maidenhead Arts Centre’s St. George’s Night in April, where he was giving the famous speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V Act III.  Richard lives locally and did sterling work with non-actors from Cookham to put on a play in the Cookham Festival, so I’m delighted that he has agreed to lead a workshop for us.

Richard is an actor and award-winning playwright, most well-known for his numerous television appearances in such shows as 'Mysti' and 'My Parents Are Aliens' and film credits including 'Stormbreaker' and 'A Bunch of Amateurs'.  Visit www.richardjamesonline.com for more information on Richard.

In the workshop you will be working on skills such as:

• Voice; breathing, tone and diction
• The spoken word and 'verbal dynamics'
• Relaxation and posture

The first half of the evening will engage you in exercises to develop these skills – this will be one of the few occasions when you are encouraged to say ‘um’ and ‘ah’!  In the second half you can have a go at putting it all together with presenting a short poem/sonnet or similar, working first in pairs to practise a poem and then you have the opportunity to give it a go in front of the audience. 

A couple of pointers for preparation: 

1. Learn a short poem / sonnet /short speech (something that allows you to use these skills to the full) so you are ready to work on how you deliver it on the night
2. Wear comfy clothes, so you are not restricted in your movement.

We are charging a £5 per person for this educational and fun evening to cover our costs, including refreshments in the interval.  Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis, so please confirm your booking by emailing Click here to email.

Like the London Speaking Facebook Page

Post from Dorothea Stuart

Simon Cooper and David Marks have set up a new Facebook page London Speaking. To view click here.

You can see the page and read the news without joining Facebook. If you are on Facebook please LIKE the page and participate.

Remember that you can also LIKE www.thelondonspeaker.com which is linked to Facebook.  Let's keep spreading the word about Toastmasters clubs.

London Toastmasters Area 33 Contest Results

From Kate McNeilly Area 33 Governor

St Paul’s Speakers were excellent hosts for the Table Topics and Humorous Speech contests in Area 33.  The evening was chaired by Area Governor, Kate McNeilly, and Asst. Area Governor, Gossica Anichebe.  Esteemed Chief Judge was Paul Carroll, aided by 6 judges from outside the Area as well as Teresa Dukes, former District 71 Governor who popped in for the evening on her way home to Ipswich! 

A very good evening - the best the City had to offer.

Humorous Speech winners:
            1^st place:   Michal Szczecinski (MLP London Bridge Speakers)
            2^nd place:  Evan Davidson (1^st London Toastmasters)
            3^rd place:  Alan Thomas (St Paul’s Speakers)

Table Topics winners: 
            1^st place:   Simon Hull (Broadgate Speakers) 
            2^nd place:  Diana Lowe (St Paul’s Speakers)
            3^rd place:  Felix Kaufmann (MLP London Brige Speakers)

Our winners go on to compete in the London Contest finals at the London Toastmasters mini-conference on Saturday 15 October, at Imperial College South Kensington.

London Toastmasters public speaking events w/c 26 Sept 2011

Post from Dorothea Stuart

Mon 26 Sept 6.45pm London Communicators (near Angel Underground station) Humorous Speech and Table Topics (impromptu speaking) Contests. All welcome.

Mon 26 Sept 7pm West London Speakers (near Hammersmith Underground station) Humorous Speech and Table Topics (impromptu speaking) Contests. All welcome.

Tues 27 Sept 6.30pm Area 31 Contest Night. Winners from ACCA Breakfast Club, Canary Wharf Communicators, Citi Criers, Speakeasy @Credit Suisse, Speakers Corner (McGraw Hill), WIBF Speakers-Canary Wharf compete for the Area Humorous Speech and Table Topics trophies.   Venue: State Street, Canary Wharf email Greg Ros if you would like to attend Click here. Area champions go on to the London finals on Saturday 15 October.

Tues 27 Sept 7pm London Athenians (near Hammersmith Underground station) Humorous Speech and Table Topics (impromptu speaking) Contests. All welcome.

Fri 30 Sept 7pm-9.30pm Area 6 Contests. Winners from Covent Garden Speakers, London Cardinals, London Corinthinans, London Olympians, Phoenix Speakers, Polish Your Polish compete for the coverted Area trophies. Area champions go on to the London Finals. Contribution at the door to cover costs.

Remember the London Toastmasters Finals of the Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests are on Saturday 15 October

London Toastmasters Area 34 Contest Results

From Ken A-Adjei, Area 34 Governor

Area 34 Toastmasters and guest were welcomed to 55 Broadway, London Underground Head Office  by President John Nyaruwa and Tube Talk for The Area Humorous speech and Table Topics contest on Wednesday September 21.

Both sections (Table Topics and Humorous speech) of the contest was chaired by the immediate past Div B Governor Andy O’Sullivan. The Chief Judge was Dick Dixon past Area 34 Governor aided by other area 34 club presidents and seasoned members as officiating judges.

A great night was had by all with the contestants being of high calibre. It has been described as one of the best Area 34 contest ever! The Table Topics was won by:

1st  place David Jones, Holborn Speakers 2nd place Iain Duthie, Tube Talk, 3rd place Onyema Akpakwu, City of London Speakers.

For the Humorous Speech Contest:

1st Place Ola Aralepo, Tube Talk, 2nd Place Glen Long, Bloomsbury Speakers, 3rd Place James Goddard, Holborn Speakers.

Thank you to all the contestants for giving us such a great evening. More photos can be found on the contest photo album at the top of www.thelondonspeaker.com.  Remember our winners will compete again at the London Finals on Saturday 15 October. Read more and 

London Toastmasters Area 45 Contest Results

From Andrew P Bennett, Area 45 Governor

Area 45 Toastmasters were welcomed to Freemasons Hall by President Taz Miah and the Early Bird Speakers for The Area Humorous speech and Table Topics contest on Thursday September 15th.

This themed event - called 'The Fiesta' included open 'Table Topic Bonanzas' led by Toastmasters Bianca Tait and Margarita Agapidou.  President Taz Miah chaired the Table Topics Contest and President Chris Dunn of Berkeley Square Speakers chaired the Humorous Speech contest.

A stellar cast of Functionaries included UK and Ireland Public Speaking Champion 2011 Malachi Talabi as Chief Judge accompanied by his wonderful wife Mildred. At the Timers' desk were popular Toastmasters Iain Duthie and Simon Cooper. Toastmaster Beader Blunn was the admirable Sergeant At Arms.

The Area 45 certificates were designed and produced by Sam Grady ( Berkeley Square Speakers) of G72 Creative and much admired.

We were delighted to welcome newly chartered Whitehall Speakers into Area 45 with their new President Anne Bolster as a nominated contestant for Table Topics.

It has been described as the best Area 45 contest ever!

Here are the winners:

Table Topics Contest

First Place  Loreen Mckellar, Early Bird Speakers

Second Place  Sepi Roshan, Early Bird Speakers

Third Place Ash Sethi, Grosvenor Square Speakers

 

Humorous Speech Contest

First Place Taz Virdee, Grosvenor Square Speakers

Second Place   Owen Hopkin, Berkeley Square Speakers

Third Place Yuki Tokeshi, Early Bird Speakers

We look forward to the Division contest on October 15th at Imperial College.

London Toastmasters mini-conference and contest finals - book your seat!

From Paul Walsh, London Toastmasters Division B Governor

In true London Toastmasters style on Saturday 15 October 2011 we are giving you a Humorous Speech Contest Final, a Table Topics Contest Final AND a series of workshops wrapped up in our mini-conference at Imperial College, South Kensington.

The workshops will be at 10.00am. The contests will be at 1.15pm sharp. Workshops will explore: building confidence at work, improving body language and speaking, modelling success and more. Click the register button for further details.

All our contestants will need your support so please be there for our London Finals to cheer them on!The winners of the Division B Contests go on to represent us at the UK & Ireland Finals on 12-13 Nov at the November Conference in Glasgow.

As well as being a Special Day for Toastmasters, this is an excellent opportunity to bring along friends, relatives, colleagues and club visitors. Invite them so they can have an outstanding experience.

Make sure your contestants are eligible to compete. Say No to disqualifications!

From Chris Boden, D71 UK & Ireland Evaluation Champion 2011

I was extremely proud to win the District 71 Evaluation Contest in Windsor this year.  As we’re in the next contest season I’ve reflected on how it almost didn’t happen - an important lesson for all competitors and club officials.

Four days before the Division H final I received a phone call from a very stressed contest organiser: “World headquarters have declared you are not eligible to compete.” Oh dear. After winning both Club and Area contests I faced being disqualified from the Division final. How did this happen?

Every entrant in a Toastmasters contest must be a member of Toastmasters International. This applies at every level of competing. The rules state:

3. Maintain eligibility at all levels of any contest.

a) If at any level it is determined that a contestant was ineligible to compete at any previous level, the contestant must be disqualified. This disqualification must occur even if the ineligibility is discovered at a later level and has been corrected.

That means that if you are not a fully paid up member before your club contest, or if your membership lapses between say, club and area level, you can’t compete further even if you sort out your membership afterwards.  You don’t become or remain a member of Toastmasters International when you pay your money to your club, but when your club pays your dues to Toastmasters World Headquarters (WHQ). Club officers please note.

It turns out that this is a depressingly regular occurrence. Year on year toastmasters find themselves disqualified from high level contests despite having done the hard work to win. Even Division winners have been told they can’t compete in UK & Ireland Finals due to issues with their membership. Imagine that! A chance to compete at the highest level stripped away from you because someone didn’t submit a form? The rules are there for good reasons, so it is up to us to make sure that we comply.

I was lucky. In my case my new club had done everything correctly and it was only the WHQ website maintenance that caused a delay in the application being processed. If you’re a club officer, please check your official WHQ membership roster before the club’s contest. Make sure that all contestants are registered. Don’t be the one responsible for one of your members losing what they have worked so hard for.

There is one person who also needs a bit of a kicking – me. I should have checked my status before competing. If I had made sure of it a week or two before the contest I would have slept far more soundly for a couple of nights.

Competing is a wonderful experience and the rewards are many. Determining competitor’s eligibility is a simple matter, that every Treasurer and contest organiser must ensure takes place. Enjoy the rest of your contest season.  I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Glasgow.

photo by Barry Crabtree