Gestures that go with what we say

All opportunities to learn help us grow. In Stand Up Comedy, one delivers, usually, the same 5 or more minutes, again and again. Between others, one learns about different audience and for the gestures to follow what we say.

Remember, the Personal Storytelling Workshop of Lewisham Speakers club. First meeting the 30th November 7 pm to 10 pm, in the small room at Albion Way's Church. Do not miss it! You can come till 19 30, but not later.

This example of gestures, is from Julie's Stand Up, at the Laughing Horse Comedy.

Ola Aralepo was the winner, but me too, because I was there and progressed.

First timers flourish with Toastmasters

With mixed emotions, I attended my first Toastmaster Conference weekend in Glasgow which was held on 11-13 November 2011. I have been a member of Toastmasters for 3 months so the thought of stepping outside of my local club, the Lewisham Speakers, and venturing into the wider arena of Toastmasters International at District level was a bit daunting.

My nervousness was unnecessary. On arriving at the conference which was held in the Crown Plaza hotel, I was greeted at reception and directed to the 'First Timers Welcome Party' where I met other Toastmasters from the UK and Ireland who were also attending their first Toastmaster convention. One of the exercises involved a packet of Loveheart sweets. Each of us picked a sweet and then spoke for a minute on what was written on it. It was a great warm up and introduction to the fun weekend events.

On Friday night, I attended a story telling workshop lead by Andrew Brammell, who is a past D71 Humorous Speech Contest Winner. Wow, what a performer. Prior to joining Toastmasters, I held the view that speeches were dry, dull and dreary – not so! Andrew took his audience on a dynamic roller coaster ride during his workshop. He discussed a few techniques of how to create a scene and how to incorporate story telling techniques into speeches. He finished by performing an small snippet from his book entitled "Stumpy Sanderson's Scrapbook" which included drama, suspense and humour. A great workshop.

On Saturday Paul Walsh, current Division B Manager led a memorable workshop: "Master Memory Techniques". For those of you who forget strangers' names seconds after being introduced or freeze in the middle of their Competition Communication speeches, this workshop taught us techniques to enable us to develop ways to give speeches without notes and to remember people's names.

Saturday afternoon led us into the much awaited Divisional Humorous Speech Contest. Competition was fierce. I was thoroughly entertained, I haven't laughed for so long for ages! The Judges, after much deliberation and, I am sure, much wringing of hands declared Ola Aralepo the winner of the Divisional Speech Contest 2011. His speech entitled "What part of I don't need a TV licence don't you understand" had the audience rocking, but also gave the message that TV's are a theft of time and creativity.

However, the conference was not just education, education, education. On Friday night there was a fancy dress contest followed by Scottish Ceidhl dancing and on Saturday night a gala dinner following by entertainment from a band called the Riffreshers.

I left the conference knowing that I had made a good investment in my personal development by attending. I had an opportunity of seeing the bigger picture of Toastmasters International. Also, through networking I have made new friends.

Flavia Gordon

16th November meeting at the Lewisham Methodist Church

Under the direction of Zandria, our Toastmaster for the evening, we tried out the smaller room in our new location, the Lewisham Methodist Church, it was cosy and big enough for us.

We celebrated our club's 3rd anniversary and the award we received for last year's progress. We had many guests who spoke at Table Topics too.

Windy, a new member joined our club, all the Toastmasters of our club, wished him welcome.

Serena and Rosie gave their first speeches, an "Icebreaker" , as always it was a memorable event. Not only that let us to know them a lot better, but they gave us both stunning speeches, without notes! Great new speakers will be between us soon. Zhanna, finished with two true tales from her childhood our round-up of prepared speeches for the evening, from the Storytelling Manual.

After the break, we commenced the Table Topics, held by Michael, with interesting impromptu speeches.

At the end of the meeting, Chris and Philip, remembered, how the club was dreamt up and formed three years ago, held the first meeting on 18 November 2008 giving so many in this three years, the opportunity to grow and gain confidence.

Flourish finished with a flourish

The Glasgow D71 Humorous and Table Topic Contest, finished now with "flourish" as did Ola Aralepo's Humorous speech, who won the England & Ireland's 2011 Humorous speech contest. He is from Tube Talk speakers club, but also the Excalibur Advanced club.

Here, posing with Flavia, to whom he has promised a visit / speech / interview for our club. Any of thus will teach us!

In addition, he is a warm Toastmaster and also a Stand Up Comedian.

It does help to go out there and perfect our skills.

Great line up to celebrate the new venue

The 2nd November, Lewisham Speakers Toastmasters club, celebrated moving to a new location, with no less then three Icebreakers: Lucas, Marcella & Stephen J. Added to it the 2nd of Michael's speech.
A great way to begin at a new location!

Our Sergeant of Arms, Vivienne, arrived first, fast after it Richard, our VP Membership who also welcomed our guests. They set us everything with the help of Michael who arrived also early, and Julie who got the doors of the courtyard open to welcome those arriving with cars.

Under the firm hands of Katy, Toastmaster of the evening, and Jon, Timekeeper, we begun and ended the meeting in time. (Almost a first for our club.)

That gave us the time, at the end to gather all who are "in" the Personal Storytelling Workshop that we begin in November and will last till March, and determine our main theme "Change" and our next meeting place and time, the 30 of November, Wednesday evening. Every member of Lewisham Speakers Toastmasters club can come.

Marcella, won the "best speech" award with her Icebreaker story about "taking chance". We heard many compelling stories during the night.

All Icebreakers were strong and we will remember them long time!

Marcella, changed profession to find her passion, Lucas come to England from Ceh Republic spending all his money, hoping to find a job, when he was still a student, that trip, also changed his future life. Stephen gave finally his first speech, after having been for two years in Toastmasters, with lots of humour in it, and also interesting informations, and Michael told us about the differences between buildings in his original country and England.

All four were very well "evaluated" and the feedbacks also taught us how to construct and give our own speeches in future. Philip, speaking most to "all" of us won the "best evaluator" of the evening award.

With a new type of Table Topics, Julie gave the theme "Places" to celebrate our new place. We had exciting speakers and as many instant "feedbacks" too. Manoj won the "Best Table Topic" award. And stepping in, last minute, Zhanna gave us a great General Evaluation finishing with a discussion.

At the end, beside the usual awards, Katy got a special award for her great work through the whole last year, from the time a year ago, when she was the first time Toastmaster of the evening to this November, when she is not only our VP Education, organizing all our Agendas, but she also found us, our new location. She discovered, in that year, that she can and want learn also leadership skills at Toastmasters, beside Communication skills.

We all can learn Communication skills, Leadership skills, and gain more confidence together in our Toastmasters club in Lewisham !

UK and Ireland Toastmasters Finals in Glasgow

The Flourish 2011 Conference, held at the Crowne Plaza Glasgow from 11th to 13th November, will provide a series of educational workshops on speaking and leadership subjects and will also be the venue for the UK and Ireland Toastmasters finals. Friday afternoon, a Storytelling Workshop. Saturday many others.

Lewisham Speakers Club will be represented by our President, Julie, (she will help out at the Toastmasters Conference in Glasgow as Sergeant of Arms at the door), Chris the founder of our club, and one of our newest members, Flavia, who will experience a District Contest the first time.

Saturday the “Humorous Speech” and Sunday the “Impromptu Speaking” contests. The Flourish Conference is open to members and non-members of Toastmasters International. Humorous speech first prize for Ola Aralepo.


Dr Atkinson delivered the Keynote Speech at the conference; entitled “The Language of Public Speaking”. incorporate video analysis of the most powerful rhetorical techniques and imagery that are used by effective speakers.

Information at www.flourish2011.co.uk or
contacting Jane Cameron info@flourish2011.co.uk

Around our new meeting place

We had our first meeting at our new meeting place, at the Lewisham Methodist Church; Albion way, is across the Lewisham Shopping Centre East entrance and the Salvation Army; bus stations V and W too. It is good for the Lewisham speakers club to meet at Lewisham Centre.

Here some pictures around it.

We can park in the church's courtyard, for those coming with their cars.

Many bus stop at the corner of Albion Street, also near the 99 cent shop which is partly on Albion street. Also the Salvation Army is across the road on Albion Street.

Stand Up Comedy Showcase

Our President Julie and I appeared at a Stand Up Comedy Showcase in Brixton on Sunday 30th October after attending a Stand Up Comedy Course delivered by David Jones, a Toastmaster from the Excalibur Club and stand up comedian.

The course was a fantastic opportunity to learn about humour and stand up comedy. David Jones was professional in his training and kept giving us plenty of encouragement to conclude the course by appearing on a showcase gig. Julie had the audience rocking in the aisles with laughter so loud it could be heard in Lewisham. There was a packed house, approximately 100 people, waiting to be entertained and the energy was electric.

At the end of the evening all the students in the showcase were buzzing and many of us could not get to sleep until the early hours of the morning. It  was a fantastic experience, although slightly nerve- racking to say the least, and my learning curve almost snapped in half. I would recommend anyone to attend the course or get involved in standup comedy if they wish to accelerate their public speaking and presentation skills.

Steve