The London Speaker

The Rewards of a London Toastmasters Contest Night

From Camilla Allwood, Women in Banking & Finance Speakers - Canary Wharf

I thoroughly enjoyed the Division contests on Wednesday 21 October: The humorous speeches were terrific - funny, warm and really engaging - and the Table Topics on ‘Seeing red’ were just as fabulous. Bob Ferguson hooked us all with his exasperation and helplessness in the face of "chips with everything". Paul Carroll’s tongue in cheek dismissal of the re-rise of the red faction in Britain in the form of the current postal workers strike could easily have been a prepared speech. Both winning speeches were topical, amusing, self-effacing, carefully crafted and beautifully delivered.

Yet this master-class in speechcraft wasn't the main reason I enjoyed the evening so much. Seeing Toastmaster friends from other clubs that I haven’t seen for months or years was lovely too. It reminded me of the many fun, and challenging, times we've shared together. Even this wasn't the highlight for me. The part of the evening I enjoyed most, and I'll remember most, came later on.

I'd spent the interval catching up with dear friends. Returning to my seat, I realised two of the newest members of my club, Kes and Ruby, had spent most of the break chatting to each other. Now, these two young women are by no means shy or retiring wallflowers. At the start of the evening they'd found other Toastmasters to talk to. But, sitting down next to them, I suddenly felt very selfish. I'd not thought to include them in my merry whirl of socialising. I immediately resolved make amends.

At the end of the contest I introduced Kes and Ruby to a number of Toastmaster friends from other clubs. All were genuinely happy to meet these two novices, and were able to offer warm, wise and encouraging words of support. I don't doubt they enjoyed meeting several long-standing and distinguished Toastmasters but, in fact, I think I was the one most pleased. The generosity of spirit and the kindness of these Toastmaster members towards two beginners touched me deeply and made me feel very rich and very proud. I left the meeting feeling uplifted and inspired. The contest speeches had provided an outstanding source of learning but supporting Kes and Ruby gave me a much more personal boost.

I've been a member of my club for over 6 years and my Toastmasters journey is well under way. I still have many personal goals and challenges I want to achieve. But helping new members get off to a firm start by encouraging them to engage with the much wider Toastmasters world that exists beyond our own club is something that gives me huge pleasure.

By attending Area and Division contests and events and by making links with other Toastmasters and other clubs we give ourselves a yardstick to measure our own personal achievements and the value of our own home club. These are the things that keep me coming back for more. I'm delighted when other members are able to participate and share in my Toastmasters journey and there is something very rewarding about being able to help a fellow club member at the start of his or her own Toastmasters journey. For me it's both a pleasure and a privilege.

And, the next time you meet me, lest I forget again, do please remind me to introduce my club’s newest members. I’ll be delighted to do so.

London Toastmasters Area 31 Humorous Speech and Table Topics Results

An audience of over 50 were regally entertained at last night's London Toastmasters Area 31 Table Topics and Humorous speech contest hosted by speakeasy@creditsuisse.  An abundance of humour was delivered by our speakers, Fiaz Mir, Athar Ahmad, Adolfo Tunon and Kerry Heffron with all four of them keeping the audience laughing throughout their speeches. Responding to the topic "I have a dream"... These words belong to somebody else but what is your vision? were Ruby Pillai, Clive Broadbent, Paul Coulson and James Conway.

from left to right – Athar Ahmed, Gary Edwards (Chief Judge), Rory Marriott (Area Governor), Ilona Shariga (Contest Chair), Ruby Pillai, Kerry Heffron, Clive Broadbent, James Conway, Adolfo Tunon, Paul Coulson, Fiaz Mir

The success of the evening can be attributed to our fantastic Contest Chair Ilona Shariga, Gary Edwards (Chief Judge), the very anonymous judges and all the functionaries. I would also like to thank Fiaz Mir and Saskia Wiriadidjaja for doing all the printing.

And the result….

Humorous Speech Contest Winner – Adolfo Tunon, CitiCriers,  2nd Place – Athar Ahmad, Speakeasy@creditsuisse.

Table Topics Contest Winner – Clive Broadbent, Canary Wharf Communicators,  2nd Place – Ruby Pillai, WIBF-Canary Wharf.

Hear our winners competing again at the All London Finals on Wednesday 21st October 2009. 6.30pm for a prompt 6.45pm start.  See you there! 

London Toastmasters Area Contests Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th October

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

The second round of London Toastmasters public speaking contests continues.  The next Humorous Speech and Table Topics (impromptu speaking) contests are next Monday and Tuesday.  You are very welcome to attend.

Monday 12 October 2009 Area 6 Contest 7pm, Rubens at the Palace Hotel, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, SW1W 0PS

Area 6 clubs: London Cardinals, London Corinthians, London Olympians, Polish Your Polish

Monday 12 October 2009 Area 47 Contest 7pm, Hilton Hotel, 53 Upper Street, N1 0UY

Area 47 Clubs: Excalibur Speakers, London Communicators, Northern Lights, WIBF-City

Tuesday 13 October 2009 Area 31 Contest 6.30pm Credit Suisse, Canary Wharf. Email Rory Marriott, Area Governor, if you would like to attend.

Area 31 Clubs: Canary Wharf Communicators, Citi Criers, Speakeasy @Credit Suisse, Speakers Corner, Thompson Reuters, WIBF-Canary Wharf

Tuesday 13 October 2009 Area 45 Contest 6.30pm, The Phoenix, 14 Palace Street, Victoria, SW1E 5JA

Area 45 clubs: Berkeley Square Speakers, Early Bird Speakers, Grosvenor Square Speakers

Winners from these contests go on to compete in the All London Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest Finals on Wednesday 21 October 2009. More info.  Book your seat for the London Finals here:

London Toastmasters Area Speech Contests start Monday 5th October

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

All Toastmasters and visitors have the opportunity to visit our Area Contests which start on Monday 5th October 2009.  Winners from each of the club Table Topics (impromptu speaking) and Humorous Speech Contests go forward to these second round events prior to the all London Final on Wedesday 21st October 2009.  Come along to hear different speakers, support your club winners and learn while having fun.

This weeks dates:

5th October Area 33 Contest Night 6.30pm at the Shooting Star, Middlesex Street, London E1 7FJ

Area 33 clubs: Broadgate Speakers in the City, Careerbuilder Speakers, MLP London Bridge Speakers, St Pauls Speakers, NZICA Bank Speakers

7th October Area 34 Contest Night 6.30pm Rugby Tavern, St James Street, London WC1N 3ES

Area 34 clubs: City of London Speakers, Holborn Speakers, LBS Toastmastes, Tube Talk

8th October Area 29 Contest Night 7pm The Hop Poles, King Street, Hammersmith, W6 9HR

Area 29 clubs: London Athenians, Riverside Communicators, Trojans Speakers, West London Speakers

Toastmasters Educational Awards - July and August 2009

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

The start of a new Toastmasters year and we have four new Competent Communicators...or rather three new ones as Rory Marriott challenged himself to complete a second CC.  Armando Armellini achieves the first leadership award of 2009/10.  Congratulations to everyone. 

Looking forward to seeing many more educational awards over the coming months.  If you haven't set some personal goals for your Toastmasters year now might be a good time to do so...

Competent Communicator

Pemma Fox. London Corinthians. Area 6

Julia Kowalle. WIBF - City. Area 47

Rory Marriott. Canary Wharf Communicators. Area 31

Nicholas Vandy. Canary Wharf Communicators. Area 31

Advanced Leader Bronze

Armando Armellini. MLP London Bridge Speakers. Area 33

Educational Awards	Last Year 2008/09	July/August 2009	Division B year to date
Competent Communicator	65	4	4
Advanced Comm Bronze	12	-	-
Advanced Comm Silver	6	-	-
Advanced Comm Gold	3	-	-
Competent Leader	28	-	-
Adv Leader Bronze	8	1	1
Adv Leader Silver	2	-	-
Leadership Excellence Award	4	-	-
Distinguished Toastmaster(DTM)	1	-	-
Total	129	5	5

Two new Areas for London Division B Toastmasters

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

The success of London Division B Toastmasters clubs means that we continue to expand.  Because of this we have not five but seven Areas in London this year.  Freddie Daniells worked hard with last year's Division B Council to put together a proposal to change our Areas - approved by the District 71 (UK and Ireland) Council meeting held at the Cotswold conference, May 2009.

Why?  Because some of the old Areas were getting too big and rather a lot for a (volunteer) Area Governor to manage. In addition we have more people completing Leadership Awards - taking a role such as Area Governor is a major step towards completing your Advanced Leader Silver.

The most immediate impact of the changes for clubs is that the groups for Area Contests will be different.

So...how are the new Areas made up?

Area 6	Cardinals	Corinthians	Olympians	Polish your Polish
Area 29	Athenians	Riverside	Trojans	West London
Area 31	Canary  Wharf	Citi Criers	Speakeasy @ CS	Thomson Reuters	WIBF
Area 33	Broadgate	Careerbuilders	MLP London Bridge	St Paul's	NZICA
Area 34	City of London	Holborn	LBS	Tube Talk
Area 45	Berkeley Square	Early Bird	Grosvenor Square	Whitehall
Area 47	London Communicators	Excalibur	Northern Lights	WIBF - City

The new Area Governors are already visiting their clubs- if you have any questions ask them when you see them!

London Toastmasters Educational Awards June 2009

Posted by Dorothea Stuart

30 June 2009 marked the end of another Toastmaster year...not surprisingly it focused our minds and we achieved more educational awards than in any other month in the year!  28 people have become Competent Communicators, 13 have completed their Competent Leader award, and 12 have completed advanced awards.

And what does all this add up to?  Toastmasters in London Division B have collectively gained 129 educational awards in 2008/09 - even more than the previous year!

Congratulations to everyone gaining awards in June.  And congratulations to the committees and club members who have supported and encouraged all of us (myself included) to get those last speeches or leadership projects completed.  We look forward to continued success for all our members in 2009/10.

Competent Communicator

James Barnett. London Cardinals. Area 6

Christopher Boden. St Pauls Speakers. Area 33

Anne Daly. Women in Banking and Finance. Area 31

Catherine Desson. Citi Criers. Area 31

Roger Harding.  Early Bird Speakers. Area 34

Maria Hemming.  Riverside Communicators. Area 29

Simon Holliday. London Cardinals. Area 6

Guy Hutchinson. London Olympians. Area 6

Carlos Johnson.  Broadgate Speakers in the City. Area 33

Julian Lamb. Broadgate Speakers in the City. Area 33

Kojo O'Hene. Trojan Speakers Club. Area 29

George Metcalfe.  Early Bird Speakers. Area 34

Marina Morozova.  WIBF - City. Area 31

Bill Moss.  Ciy of London. Area 34

Heather Mullins.  WIBF - City. Area 31

Michal Misztal. Polish Your Polish. Area 6

Rachel Ormrod. London Cardinals. Area 6

Anabela Pinto. Women in Banking and Finance. Area 31

Imal Ratnayake.  Trojan Speakers Club. Area 29

Christoph Ruedt. London Communicators. Area 33

Pamela Smith.  Riverside Communicators. Area 29

Caroline Swain. Broadgate Speakers in the City. Area 33

Adolfo Tunon. Citi Criers. Area 31

Joann Walsh.  St Paul's Speakers. Area 33

Paul Walsh.  London Cardinals. Area 6

Errol Williamson.  Trojan Speakers Club. Area 29

Rachel Whitehouse.  WIBF - City. Area 31

Himanshu Vora. Trojan Speakers. Area 29

Advanced Communicator Bronze

Nicola Bishop.  WIBF - City. Area 31

Jacyntha Crawley.  London Athenians. Area 29

Sean Kennedy. London Communicators. Area 33

Kerry-Anne Smith. Trojan Speakers. Area 29

Dorothea Stuart.  Riverside Communicators. Area 29

Advanced Communicator Silver

David Bennett. Tube Talk. Area 34

Clive Broadbent. Canary Wharf Communicators. Area 31

Jeremy Jacobs. London Corinthians. Area 6

Desire Lan. London Corinthians. Area 6

Deepa Srinivas. Women in Banking and Finance. Area 31

Competent Leader

Camilla Allwood. Women in Banking and Finance. Area 31

Armando Armellini. MLP! London Bridge Speakers. Area 33

Ola Aralepo.  TubeTalk Toastmasters.  Area 34

Iwona Dolecka.  Polish Your Polish. Area 6

Peter Girvan.  TubeTalk Toastmasters.  Area 34

Bela Patel.  Women in Banking and Finance.  Area 31

Rory Marriott.  St Pauls Speakers.  Area 33

James Mills. London Corinthians. Area 6

Maria-Jesu Rojo. Citi Criers. Area 31

Kerry-Anne Smith. Trojan Speakers. Area 29

Deepa Srinivas. MLP! London Bridge Speakers MLP. Area 33

Ogango Thigo. Citi Criers. Area 31

Himanshu Vora.  Trojans Speakers Club. Area 29

Advanced Leader Bronze

Ola Aralepo.  TubeTalk Toastmasters.  Area 34

Richard Stacey. Early Bird Speakers. Area 34

Educational Awards	Last year 2007/08	June 2009	Division B year to date
Competent Communicator	51	28	65
Advanced Comm Bronze	13	5	12
Adv Comm Silver	8	5	6
Adv Comm Gold	3		3
Competent Leader	15	13	28
Old Comp Leader	21		n/a
Adv Leader Bronze	4	2	8
Adv Leader Silver	1		2
Leadership Excellence Award	1		4
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)			1
Total	117	53	129

2009 Division B International Speech and Evaluation Contest Winners

Posted by Freddie Daniells

Last Wednesday’s Division B International Speech and Evaluation Contest Final was a truly marvellous evening.

We were greeted by our friends at Citi Criers who did a brilliant job of ushering everyone through in an efficient way. A glass of vino was there waiting for us, which in the true Division B style, everyone used as used as lubrication for their vocal chords – these would be needed for the raucous evening that lay ahead.

I started with a little exercise that had virtually all of the 170 people there boogying away – they were truly warmed up! Thank you to Julie Holness for the idea!

The first half was the International Speech Contest. Led by our Contest Chair, Assistant Division Governor, Dave Sellman, the Speakers in order were:

1. Ola Aralepo of Area 34 and Tube Talk
2. Simon Bucknall of Area 6 and London Cardinals
3. Agnieszka Rees of Area 31 and Citi Criers
4. Franco Vaccaro of Area 29 and Riverside Communicators
5. Sarah Green of Area 33 and Broadgate Speakers

Ola entertained us with a speech about how power comes from revealing ourselves. Simon discussed a fraud that is parents had suffered and what he had leant from it. Agnieszka discussed being bullied and Franco told us of how he had become like his father, needing to control everything. Finally Sarah inspired us with her personal journey of overcoming shyness, urging us all that we could achieve our goals too. The quality of the speeches were amazing.

After the break, we returned for the Evaluation Contest. Led by the ever ebullient Contest Chair, Paul Carroll of Athenians, the contest started off with a rousing speech from Alastair Watson-Gandy, Area Governor of Area 4.

While we waited for the contestants to come back to give their evaluations, Joe Gibbs, Lt Governor Training and Education for Toastmasters District 71 introduced himself to the Division and told us we still all had time to follow our esteemed leaders (Gary Sander) chant of ‘the courage to make a difference’. Inspiring stuff indeed.

Then the Evaluators fed through one by one. They were in order of speech:

1. Julie Holness of Area 33 and London Communicators
2. David Bennett of Area 34 and Tube Talk
3. Kerry-Anne Smith of Area 29 and London Trojans
4. Simon Bucknall of Area 6 and Excalibur Speakers
5. Clive Broadbent of Area 31 and Canary Wharf Communicators

While we waited for the votes to be counted, I suitably embarrassed myself and the contestants while handing out the Certificates of Participation.

In no time our Chief Judge, Sammy Babister, Division H Governor returned and she together with Joe Gibbs announced the winners. They were as follows:

Evaluation Contest

1. Simon Bucknall
2. Clive Broadbent
3. Julie Holness

International Speech Contest

1. Franco Vaccaro
2. Simon Bucknall
3. Sarah Green

Needless to say, a large group retired to Cafe Rouge for a little after contest analysis.

It was a great evening and I have to say thank you to Dave Sellman for leading the arrangements, Dave and Paul Carroll as Contest Chairs, Alastair Watson-Gandy for being brave enough to do the Test speech, Sammy as our Chief Judge, all of our judges, Himanshu Vora, Nigel Cutts and John Craddock as our Counters, Hilary Briggs and Iain Duthie as our Timers and Catherine Desson who acted as Sergeant at Arms. Indeed, a BIG thank you to Catherine and her merry band of helpers from Citi Criers who helped make the evening such a success. Finally, thank you to Joe Gibbs for flying in from Ireland especially for the evening.

Needless to say, Franco and Simon will both be competing in the Dictrict finals this coming Saturday. I will be there supporting them – hopefully so will you!

(a bunch of very happy Area 29ers with the winners)

2009 Division B International Speech and Evaluation Contest finals – get your tickets NOW!

Most clubs have now completed their International Speech and Evaluation Contests. As usual the quality of speaking is incredibly high.

Additionally, our first area, Area 34, have already held their contest. I will post details shortly. Three Area contests are booked for next week and one for the 27th.

After these, of course, the next stage will be the Division final. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 29th.

Doors will open at 6.30pm and the event proper will start at 7pm. We expect the evening to over by 9pm. No doubt a local hostelry will benefit from a little after contest celebration drink or three!

It promises to be a fabulous evening with the cream of London’s speakers competing to be the best in the capital city. Who will be representing your Area?

Last years Division winners were David Jones for the International Speech Contest and Hilary Briggs for the Evaluation contest, as seen in the photos above. Hilary went on to become the UK and Ireland Evaluation Champion keeping up our Division’s brilliant record of competing in the District finals.

Catherine Desson and the wonderful crew at Citi Criers have again offered the same amazing venue that we had last year. Thank you again to the good folks at Citigroup for their help.

Those who were there last year will remember that we had over 200 attendees on the evening. It would be great to have this level of support for our speakers again this year.

I am also excited that Joe Gibbs, current Lt Governor Training and Education and prospective District 71 Governor for 2009/10 (the head honcho in UK and Ireland Toasties) will be joining us, flying in from Ireland that afternoon specially.

The address is:

Citigroup Centre

25 Canada Square

London E14 5LB

Travelling to Canary Wharf is a doddle with the Jubilee line taking you to just around the corner at the Canary Wharf tube stop. Alternatively you can catch the DLR from Bank or wherever takes your fancy! The best stop is DLR – Canary Wharf.

A map to the venue is here:

There is a charge of £5 as a contribution to the cost of the evening. However, this will include a glass of wine for those who arrive at 6.30!

You can now book this event directly from this page (how cool is that!):

I am really looking to this event. It is the signature event of the Toastmasters year at a Divisional level. I have booked my ticket already, get yours now! :)

PS We will update the contestants as the Area Contests take place. Keep an eye out here on The London Speaker!

What happening at London Toastmasters clubs this week?

A great selection International Speech and Evaluation Contests to choose from!

Monday 6 April 2009:

19:00 Northern Lights Contest Night.  Venue:  The London Irish Centre, 52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB.  Link.

Tuesday 7 April 2009

08:00 Speakeasy @ Credit Suisse Contest Morning.

18:15 MLP London Bridge Contest Night.  Ernst & Young, 1 More London Place, London SE1 2AF.  Link.  Contact club to say you want to attend.

19:15 Polish your Polish Contest Night. Ognisko Polish Club. 55 Princes Gate SW7 2PN. Link.

Wednesday 8 April 2009

18:00 WIBF Canary Wharf Contest Night. Link. Please contact if you would like to attend.

18:15 St Paul's Speakers Contest Night.  The Golden Fleece, 8-9  Queen Street,London EC4N 1SP. Link.

Area 34 held the next level of the contests on 31st March.  All the other Area contests are after Easter. See the club contest schedule above for details.  More info to follow.  Remember the All London Division B contests will be held on 29th April 2009 in Canary Wharf.  Booking details will be posted here shortly.