 | | | | Feel free to contact us with any questions, suggestions or feedback. | | | | | | | TUESDAY 1ST JUNE | | | | TUESDAY 1ST JUNE
This meeting began with.... a bit of a shambles, actually. At 7.30pm there were half a dozen, or so, members and a guest. The meeting, eventually, started at about 7.50pm.; by this time numbers had swelled to 14 and another late entry arrived 15 minutes, or so, later. We had a total of 15.
Toastmaster for the evening was Vanessa Buck, who acquitted herself well in the role, beginning the evening’s warm-up with the question, “What brings you joy”? There were various answers, including, Vanessa’s, “Singing”; however, she would not entertain us with a few notes. Spoilsport!
There were four speakers on the programme for this evening. First to perform was Camilla Martin with her CC3. Camilla comes across as an, already , accomplished speaker. Humorous and entertaining, though with a conversational style of speech which makes one want to hear more. Her speech was entitled, “Good Luck to You”. She included slogans for the National Lottery as well as some guides as to how to make yourself believe that you can be lucky, though you do not need to win the lottery to be so! Camilla was appreciated enough by the audience to warrant being voted, “Best Speaker”. Well done, once again, Camilla. Let’s hope that we hear many more speeches from you.
Next speaker was Pauline Hardy who had been ‘back up’ speaker, stepping into the breach for another non attendee. Her speech, getting her half way through the CC book, was entitled, “There’s always someone....”. Pauline has Motor Neurone Disease; but this was not about her, it was about her friends, both named, Steve who have a form of the disease of which 90% of MND patients suffer, rendering them incapable of speech. Pauline was getting across the point that, no matter how badly off one thinks they are, there really is someone “out there”with worse problems. Pauline finished with, yet another of her poems; this was quite thought provoking.
Samuel Komalafe, who recently became a father to a baby boy, (congratulations, Samuel and Yetunde) was, at last, performing his CC10. The title of this, landmark, speech was, “It’s not worth the grudge”. Samuel made us think about whether bearing grudges was worth the problems and heartache that it can cause; truly inspiring, Samuel. Well done. Hooray!!
It was, also, “Welcome back” to Frank Thatcher who had been poorly and was continuing his progress with a speech from the book of humorous speeches ACB2. Frank’s speech was truly fruity; entitled, “Love”; Frank spoke of various fruit, veg and nuts, including his favourites, bananas and cabbages. His point, hilariously put across, was that it doesn’t matter if your love is unrequited, it is just great to love.
There was a very short break; long enough to partake of one of Frank’s bananas!! Following this, there were four Table Topic Speeches. The Master for tonight was Aki Akiwume. Aki’s topics were all around the subject of money; very topical, what with the new coalition government and their swingeing cuts.
Sudanta, club president, was asked to speak on the subject of “Money is the Route of All Evil”. Whilst initially agreeing with the statement, Sudanta gave us a counter argument that we need money to survive. Interesting thoughts.
Next, was Adrian, newest member; he was asked to speak about the quote, “Neither a Lender, nor a Borrower, be”. Adrian began by giving further information from the Shakespeare play,”Hamlet” from which the quotation come, letting us know that, apart from being a very good speaker, he is, also, very well read. Hats off to you, Adrian, and, well done for being voted, “Best Table Topic Speaker” for the second time. Brilliant for such a new attendee! Can’t wait to hear your “Icebreaker”!
Just for your information, here is the rest of the quote:-
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
William Shakespeare, 'Hamlet', Act 1 scene 3
Charmaine, making a guest appearance, was asked to speak on the subject of, “Making a Killing”. She did very well, not seeming at all nervous on her debut at Speakers of Croydon. Let’s hope that we see more of her.
Fourth, and last, was Tony. His topic was, “Cut your clothes according to your cloth”. Tony spoke about how we should learn to live within our means and not buy things unless we could afford to pay for it. Good advice. When are we going to hear your “Icebreaker”, Tony?
Timekeeper for the night was Moneike Gardeneers who started by quoting, “Time doesn’t change us, it unfolds us” in her explanation of her role. Very philosophical!
There was no Ah Counter; however, Deirdre Hynes was Grammarian. Her word for the meeting was, “SPLENDID”. Used countless times it was a “splendid” choice.
Vanessa quickly stepped in as Table Topics Evaluator and did well to remember most of the presentations as well as maintaining her role as Toastmaster. Living up to the common knowledge that women can multitask much better than men!
Best Evaluator was awarded to both Jack Iacovou, who evaluated Camilla and Joan Jardine; a tie! Well done. The other two evaluators were Abbi Greene , for Pauline and Sudanta Abeyakoon, for Frank.
Joan, as well as evaluating Samuel’s speech, was General Evaluator. At the beginning of the meeting she had told us to use our imagination. In her summing up, which was witty and constructive, she told us to, “...do whatever it takes to develop your voice... whether it is reading to your grandchildren, reading poetry, reading out loud...”. Inspiring speak, Joan. I’m already contemplating it...
The evening was a late finish but was, once again, extremely enjoyable, fun and educational; all that Speakers of Croydon is meant to be.
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