Introduction

Our last meeting was on Monday 26^th February at Wedge Issue Pizza, where we enjoyed four high-quality speeches and a great table topics session.

Roles

Peter R, President of the Club, welcomed everyone to the meeting and pointed out how being members of Toastmasters can gradually help us become better communicators. Toastmaster Swarajit then took over, explaining the agenda and introducing Timekeeper Nigel and Grammarian Stella, who chose “selfie” as the word of the day.

Prepared speeches

The first speaker was Daniel from Croydon Communicators with his Competition Speech “42 Million”. Daniel explained to us the importance of a single minute, and how sixty seconds can change our lives. He urged us to seize all the minutes we can and make the most of them.

The second speaker was Marti from Holborn Speakers with his Competition Speech “Not Another Speech about Recycling”. Marti wondered whether the recycling agenda was not being pushed on us a bit too much, and concluded by telling us to keep doing what we were already doing.

Third to speak was Andy with his Competent Communicator Speech #2 “2+2”. Andy talked us through different cognitive systems within the brain, and how automatic processes and conscious thinking can sometimes collide to produce unintended consequences.

The last speaker was Peter with his Storytelling Speech #1 “Spring-Heeled Jack”. Peter took us back to London in the 1830s, where people reported seeing a mysterious figure who would attack people before springing 10 feet in the air and disappearing. The moral of the story? There isn’t one!

Scott then led the guest introductions.

Table Topics

After the break, we heard from the evening’s evaluators – Sheldon, Atul, Luisa and Scott.

Table Topics Master Sarah then led a fantastic table topics session centred around the theme of the evening: movies. Scott, Marti, Anya, Sterling, Luisa, Andy and Rafael participated. Highlights included Andy confessing to his childhood fear of dinosaurs and Jurassic Park, and Rafael commenting that the movie “Into the Wild” is all about the importance of family.

Yamina evaluated all table topics speakers.

Grammarian Stella then gave us a report on the great uses of language throughout the meeting – surprisingly, not many people used the word of the day!

Finally, visiting General Evaluator Nick evaluated our club and the meeting.

Awards

Best Speaker: Peter

Best Evaluators: Yamina and Scott

Best Table Topic: Rafael

Next meeting

Our next regular meeting will take place at Wedge Issue Pizza & Beer (91-95 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5BX), on Monday 12^th March 18:30-21:00. Come over to practice your public speaking skills and enjoy delicious free pizza!

Please feel free to get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions.

Introduction

We held our last meeting on Monday 22^nd January at Wedge Issue Pizza, and enjoyed some great prepared speeches and a hilarious table topics session.

Roles

Peter R, President of the Club, welcomed everyone to the meeting and talked us through the many benefits of joining Toastmasters. He then handed over to Toastmaster Margarita, who shared with us the fact that being a member of Bloomsbury Speakers has given her the confidence to speak in English (Russian is her native language) and has helped her to become a part-time tour guide! She then introduced Timekeeper Atul and Grammarian Sarah, who chose “pontificate” as the word of the day.

Prepared speeches

The first speaker was Krishan with his Competent Communicator Speech #2 “From the Inside Out”. Krishan illustrated the enormous impact artificial intelligence is having and will continue to have on our lives, especially in the areas of jobs, transport and healthcare.

The second speaker was Chantal with her Competent Communicator Speech #10 “When I Had Wings”. Chantal delivered an emotional and passionate speech about the many benefits of running. Sharing with us her struggle with physical illness, she appealed to us to make the most of our health.

Last to speak was Swarajit with his Speaking to Inform Speech #3 “What Could Possibly Go Wrong”. Using visual aids, he talked us through planning models used during the policy-making process which help to ensure that new policy is thoroughly assessed before being implemented.

Scott then led the guest introductions.

Table Topics

After the break, we heard from the evening’s evaluators – Michelle, Luisa and Sheldon.

Table Topics Master Andy then led a great impromptu session on the most notable events of 2017, in which both members and guests participated. Highlights included Flemming proposing that the silliest rule to come out of Brexit should be for everyone to sign up for a marathon, and Chantal concluding that democracy is not the way to go and we would all be better off if she became our dictator!

Tracey evaluated all table topics speakers.

Finally, visiting General Evaluator Stella evaluated our club and the meeting

Awards

Best Speaker: Chantal

Best Evaluator: Luisa

Best Table Topic: Flemming and Chantal

Next meeting

Our Toastmasters Evaluations Workshop featuring Freddie Daniells will take place on Monday 29^th January 18:45-21:15 at Wedge Issue Pizza & Beer (91-95 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5BX). This free event is open to members and guests, so don’t forget to register your attendance at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/toastmasters-evaluations-workshop-with-freddie-daniells-bloomsbury-speakers-tickets-42239756248

Please feel free to get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions.

Introduction

Bloomsbury Speakers held their latest regular meeting on Monday 27^th November at Wedge Issue Pizza. We were treated to three high-quality speeches and an exciting table topics session centred around birthdays and presents!

Roles

Peter R, President of the Club, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and by telling the inspiring story of former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, whose first speech in Parliament was drowned out by his peers’ laughter! Peter then handed over to Toastmaster Lei who explained the running order of the meeting. She then introduced Timekeeper Michelle and Grammarian Chantal, who chose “grip” as the word of the day.

Prepared speeches

The first speaker was Sofia with her Competent Communicator Speech #2 “East Meets West”. Sofia explained how moving to London had been somewhat of a cultural shock to her, and she made use of visual props to talk us through a few fundamental differences between the Chinese and British cultures, including how Chinese use their cameras way more than the Brits!

Next to speak was Matt with his Competent Communicator Speech #10 “That Time I Thought the Plane was Crashing”. Matt’s was an inspiring speech about learning to face our fears and using “to do” lists as a way of gradually achieving our goals and empowering ourselves. Fear is a normal and healthy feeling, but should not take over our lives and prevent us from succeeding.

The last speaker was Peter R with his Storytelling Speech #1 “The Moberly-Jourdain Incident”. Peter took us back to the 19^thcentury, when two Edwardian women were walking in Versailles and were suddenly catapulted back to the French revolution era through a temporary ripple in time. Of course, nobody believed them!

Swarajit then led the guest introductions.

Table Topics

After the break, we heard from the evening’s evaluators – Luisa, Rupert and Sheldon.

Table Topics Master Atul then led a fantastic impromptu session on birthdays and presents, which Rachel, Anoushka, Jamie, Miro, Rajeet, Harry, Yamina and Rupert participated in. Highlights included Rachel’s ideal week-long birthday celebration (which of course includes a trip to Hawaii) and Rupert’s devious plan to buy the most boring book in the world as a birthday gift for his worst enemy.

Margarita evaluated all table topics speakers.

Finally, visiting General Evaluator Billy evaluated our club and the meeting.

We were gripped from beginning to end!

Best Speaker: Matt

Best Evaluator: Margarita

Best Table Topic: Rachel and Rupert

Next meeting

The next regular meeting will take place at Wedge Issue Pizza & Beer (91-95 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5BX), on Monday 11^th December 18:30-21:00. Come over to practice your public speaking skills and enjoy delicious free pizza!

Please feel free to get in touch at info@bloomsburyspeakers.org.uk if you have any questions.