Welcome To Lewisham Speakers

Lewisham Speakers, is Multi -Cultural club, in the heart of South East London. With its friendly, supportive encouraging environment, it is perfect for nervous speakers to develop confidence and excellent speaking skills. Just 5 mins walk from Lewisham Train, DLR and Bus Stations.
Lewisham Speakers club is Affiliated to Toastmaster International - world Leaders in improving Communication and Leadership.Greenwich, Canada Water, Woolwich, Canary Wharf, Catford, Croydon, Penge, Locksbottom, Paddington, Sydenham, Bexleyheath, Dulwich, Forest Hill, Sidcup, Eltham, Plumstead, Bexley, New Cross and Central London.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Some things last!

Ralph C. Smedley, have hold the first Toastmasters Meeting more then a hundred year ago, to help young men learn public speaking, listening and conducting meetings skills. And thus, give them confidence. He is the founder of our organisation. He based his meetings on thousand years of experience, but gave it a modern twist. And it is modern to this day! I have some of the books he wrote, I just love his open; passionate and at the same time irreverent, stubborn spirit!  

Basic Training for Toastmasters, 12 basic speeches explained (a more "politically correct version of it become now Competent Communicator). I have the version published in 1943, I was just a kid then.  

Speech Evaluation. 'The art of Constructive Criticism' I learned a lot from this one, too. He was voted down on the word "critic" but he did not like "evaluation". I use "feedback" nowadays. It is the essence and what he writes about it, and the different ways they can be done that are important. "Never do the same over and over, he said, make each meeting interesting."

The Amateur Chairman. "First aid for the unprepared president." Well, I did learn so much from it; between others the funny and useful advice: if they do not agree with what you propose, form a committee - and put yourself at its head. Then come back with the committee's decision and put it to vote. But of course, there are a lot more advices in it, as well how to conduct the Business part of the Meeting.

The Voice of the Speaker. The edition I have is even older, from 1940. I was barely six at the time. He gives plenty of advices in it how to strengthen, improve, project your voice. But the most I liked it right in front "the most important, is to have a friendly natural voice."

Personally Speaking,  Selections from his writings, published recently, I did not read yet. Soon!

The Story of Toastmasters and The Story of Toastmasters Vol II for later years, I did read. In his usual 'say all' way, he remembers. He even tells us, he did wrote 400 pages, and had to shorten it, as he was asked later. I hope, someone did publish or will publish the original one, as I love his spirit and franc speech.

From all these books, I understood better the spirit of Toastmaster Clubs that were so good from now more then 100 years, that they did not have to change a lot. Well, around 1975, they begin to take women on, that changed some of its spirit I hope to believe. But the initial flame remains.

We help each other to become better speakers, listeners and leaders. We give more confidence to each other.

And, as Ralph C. Smedley told in one of his books "the different feedbacks received during the first 12 speeches help also develop thicker skin to critic from others." Well, that is also a great achievement! Also, of course, do not forget, he never did: : do it in a way to let the speaker leave with confidence.


Friday, April 27, 2012

Division H Spring Contest


International Speech Contest& E
valuation Contest
Saturday 28thth April 2012
Location Oxted Community Hall, 53 Church Lane,
Oxted,
Surrey RH8 9NB

Time 6.00pm 9.30pm

This is a wonderful opportunity to see some of the best speakers in the South of England performing. The venue is just a short walk from Oxted railway station. If travelling by car it is about a 5 minute drive from junction 6 on the M25. More details can be found at the South East England Speakers Blog

Sunday, April 22, 2012

International Speech and Evaluation Competition 21st April 2012

Well didn't we have fun.  The event got off to an early start with a Committee Meeting in the small room.  Gloria from Lewisham Methodist Church said that we could use the Large hall despite the fact we had only booked the small room, so that was great, and very generous her, which we much appreciated, and thankful for.  Thank you Gloria.

Well done to Saladdine for organising the agenda, and assigning all the roles, so that everything ran seamlessly.  Those all assigned with roles discharged them diligently which made for good team work, and ultimately a well organised day.    It was good to see so many fellow Lewisham members turn up and support the competitors. (Flavia, Vivienne, Michael, Julie, Manoj, Stephen, Richard, Phillip, oh and me!!).  Yes it was quite a family outing for us Lewishamites!!

Dave from Croydon (and like to think Lewisham too, as he was our past president of Lewisham Speakers)  made sure we were all super warmed up, by encouraging us to cheer at the top of our voice. It was nice and somehow it made for  a nice atmosphere too, and contributed to the fun of the day,

We had some excellent speakers.  Adrian from Bromley explained how he grew when he took a big risk and left his secure job which he did not enjoy, and explained that now he looks forward to going to work every day because he is never quite sure what the day would hold. He didn't quite anticipate all the challenges along the way, but little by little he has grown, and found new skills.   His speech  was delivered clearly, and articulately throughout, and at a nice pace so we could follow his story.  He came 3rd in the speech contest.

Happy!
Eleine and Richard (1st 2nd in the Speech Contest)
Then we had our Richard who delivered his speech with his usual enthusiasm and energy.  He was alive on stage, and we were with him following him on the trials and tribulation of life working in the family firm, before branching out and working 110%  by himself, which delivered the results for him.  It was a nice pace, good vocal variety and good volume, which meant we were engaged throughout, and were with him from start to finish.  Richard came 2nd.  Well done Richard. 

Elaine from Bromley won the best speaker trophy. Well done to Elaine.  It was an hilarious speech.   She took us on a journey, to find her husband.  This lady had serious stage presence, a certain charm that just commands your attention.   She is incredibly well spoken and such an articulate voice.  I have real hopes for her in America, and it wouldn't surprise me, if this young lady comes back from America with the trophy.  Good luck Elaine!!

The remaining speakers were also of high quality, and it was an extremely hard competition to judge.

Our guest speaker from Meridian delivered her speech, which I found hilarious.  Telling us about her journey in Japan.  I really enjoyed it, and apparently she only had 2 days notice to prepare!!! I was very impressed.  I loved the American voice, its so full of warmth, you just could not help engage with her.  I loved the American vocab.  I agreed totally with Neil's evaluation that she chose her choice of words very carefully, enough to keep it amusing, but not too course so as to alienate us.  Um I must put Japan on my travel list some time, she's got me intrigued about the place.  Although if 5ft 4 inches scares the Japanese I'm not sure what they would make of me, a giant at  5ft 11 inch.  I'll scare them witless probably tee hee!!!

Then we had the break.  The strawberries were yum, and Vivienne had indeed put on a very fine spread. It was nice to see so many familiar faces which I had seen at other clubs all in one place, and made for some interesting conversations.  Phillip, Chief Judge,  rounded all the judges up during the break, and made sure we were all informed, and new exactly what were doing.  We all enjoyed chatting so much during the break I think it was hard to round us up and get us back in our chairs again, but with some careful persuasion Julie our Sargent at Arms steered us back, so the meeting could go on to the second half.

The evaluators were in fine form in 3rd place came Damian from Meridian Speakers, who gave a well composed evaluation.  Our Richard came 2nd.  He used the sandwich approach, explaining what the speaker did well, and was very diplomatic in what the speaker could improve upon.  A well structured, and well delivered evaluation.  Neil Pettigrew from Bromley won the evaluation contest, with a very well organised, accurate evaluation of our guest speaker.  Again another tough contest to judge, because all the entrants had done well.

Peter and Manoj were the contest chairs, and shared the job well I thought.  Both were confident on stage, and consequently I felt in safe, well organised hands.

Jenny, with beaming cheerful smile,  made sure that all the votes were collected, and Cliff did a good job as timekeeper.  It was good because the meeting finished on time too.

Well I think that's all from me, I had better pen off now if I'm going to get this on our Blog.

See you all a Lewisham Toastmasters for the 2nd May, usual commencing time 7.30pm sharp, for another fun toastmaster session.


Katy
VPE Lewisham Toastmasters.



Run for a cause Blackheath

Run for a cause Blackheath (14) by Julie70
photo by Julie70 on Flickr.
One does not always need words to be inspired.

I was inspired this morning, just looking at all those, running, then all those jogging with difficulty already at the beginning, as they did begin near my place, and even those walking fast but not stopping.

Going on.

Inspired, without a word.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Well I don't know about everybody else, but I certainly was entertained last night.  Richard as usual was in top form, and was determined to start the meeting on time.  I like it! start as you mean to go on.   

Vivienne was there up on stage as usual, incredibly poised, articulate and controlled, with her on stage we knew we were off to a flying start.  Richard had certainly done his home work and preparation well.   I noted how he had emailed everybody in advance for 3 words that best explain ourselves.  I thought it ever so clever, because it enabled us to learn alittle more about each member in our group.  Nicely done.  Vivienne in her multitasking mode came back on board with her Olympics question, which nicely warmed us all up for the evening.    

Arnaud one of our more recent members performed his duty of Ah counter for the evening diligently.  I'm looking forward to giving him more roles and watching him grow. Michael our time keeper of the evening also discharged his duty of time keeper diligently.  I liked the fact he told us how far we were behind time just before the break. It was a reminder to us all that we are all responsible for watching the clock, and to take responsiblity for how we manage our time on stage, and to this extent we all have a responsibility towards one another.

Then we had our first speech of the evening Serena, and what was it about the Olympics!  She was her usual bright self, full of smiles, its infectious, that can't help you feel happy too.  She gave a very informative speech, that I now feel well informed about the transport options during the Olympics.  Well done Serena.  Flavia made us all think about our communication skills, and didn't she keep us entertained, such a voice!  I love her little dance/wriggle on stage at the beginning of the speech.  She really did show us all how the use of body language, written material and the use of the pause can be truely used to engage people.  Well done to Flavia who won best speech of the evening.  Manoj entertained  us with his confident, lively, energetic speech on stage.  He had us all amused was this for real???  encouraging  us to buy bits of land on other planets?? Well  I'm not sure if I'm quite ready to sell the family silver just yet!! but certainly I'll be keeping a closer eye on those rising sea levels!! Um may be I'll just buy some land on top of Snowdon first. He raised some very good points that we should all perhaps think about.  Crikey Phillip, who would have thought that Health and Safety could have been made so entertaining.  His use of props and handouts, excellent communication skills of an experienced toastmaster and incorporation of humour helped to keep us all engaged so he got his message through to us.   

Vivienne nibbly collected all the votes, and I noticed her very quietly leaving the room to set up all the tea and coffee to make sure we were well watered in the break, so a big thank you to Vivienne from all us who is always so reliable, it doesn't go unnoticed.

We shouldn't take such commitment for granted. A well deserved bottle of wine.

Steve then gave his Evaluation of Serena an explained how she had faired against the criteria of the manual, and concluded that she had indeed met the expectation of the speech requirements.  Dee gave a very detailed, informed, and fair evaluation of Flavia's speech.  She was composed, confident, and had what I thought great stage presence.  Definately a very competent communicator in the making there !! She's racing ahead in such a short period of time too.  Steve I thought also gave a fair evaluation of Manoj's speech, and I agreed with all he said.  Steve had us all engaged with his delivery.

 Steve talks to us, not at us, and he certainly knows how to keep us entertained!!  He showed us this in his table topic response:- To tell a porky or not to tell a porky that is the question!! The dynamic Richard, was doubling up as evaluator too, and again another well structured informative evaluation I thought. Both Steve and Richard came 1st in the evaluation contest, so well done to both, but remember those important aspect is the taking part, cos that's how we develop ourselves.

Well done to all those who took part in the Table topics including our two guests.  Didn't all our table topic contestants fair well!  Ali I am pleased to say has indicated he wants to become a member, so hopefully we will see him again and welcome him back in the not too distant future a member??  Well done to Jon for managing the process so efficiently I just love his dry sense of humour on stage, Jon's jokes I find are so quick witted.  Lucas hit the floor running with the Table Topic Evaluations.  Wasn't he brilliant, such a challenging role to come up quickly after contestants have just finished their table topics, but he delivered both accurately and in style.  Well done Lucas.   

Ola was the GE of the evening, such an important role, it requires attention throughout the evening and all credit to him, he clearly had listened and had a sharp eye on the evening as this was evidenced in his constructive feedback.  When I receive feedback that it is constructive, it reminds me of my obligation also to ensure I give constructive feedback at every opportunity, and the importance of making sure we fill in the feedback forms each and every one of us when we listen to a speech.

Well folk thats all for now.  Just to confirm the Area competition is this Saturday at Lewisham Methodist Church for a prompt 2.30pm kick off.  No pressure Richard but we are looking forward to seeing your trophy when you bring it back from America.  Go Richard!!

Kind regards
Katy Woolcott
VPE Lewisham Toastmasters

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Winners of Area Club's Contests

Area 35 International Speech & Evaluation Contest 
Will be Competing the 21 April at Lewisham Club place:

                                                        Bromley Speakers
International Speech Contest                            Evaluation Contest
1st - Elaine Powell                                              1st - Neil Pettigrew
                                                   Croydon Communicators
International Speech Contest                            Evaluation Contest
1st - Arcadius Ahouansou                                  1st - Hanna Hunter

                                                          Lewisham Speakers
International Speech Contest                            Evaluation Contest
1st - Richard Green                                            1st - Richard Green
                                                          Meridian Speakers
International Speech Contest                            Evaluation Contest
1st - Damian Igbe                                                 1st - Damian Igbe

                                                      Speakers of Croydon
International Speech Contest                        
1st - Adrian Moore
                                               Purley Speakers
International Speech Contest                          Evaluation Contest
1st - Cecilia Wheatley                                      1st - Salddine Nadir
                                  In order of Date of Contests

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A master storyteller: Ben Dunlop



Listen to it, more I do, more I discover in it, and more I learn,
I am sure after the pleasure, so will do you too..

Learn about how to construct a speech, how to tell a story, and also, understand that my thirst of learning comes "naturally" from my origine. In fact, not only Teszler, about whom Ben Dunlop speaks, but I felt also my great great mother Paula, also was thirsty to learn and experience more, even after 90! And a bit, about me, we do remain alive, never stopping to learn.
Julie Kertesz

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Wisdom from Ralph Smedley

On the importance of learning to listen and analyse. 
Listening is important, Smedly
For all those who will not be speaking at the 21th April Area Speech Contest, from 2 PM in Lewisham, come! A wonderful occasion to listen and learn.

The Division Contest then will be held 28 April, in Oxted Community Hall, 53 Curch Lane,Oxted, Surrey RH8 9NB Time 6.00pm 9.30pm

 Our two new members: Liz and Arnauld listened to our speeches, participated in our Table Topics!
They came a few time as guest, from now on, they participate as members!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Closely fought contest in Lewisham Speakers Club International Speech Contest and Evaluation Contest

What an exciting and entertaining evening we had at the International Speech Contest and the Evaluation Contest for Lewisham Speakers Club. Congratulations to Richard Green who won both competitions. He was pushed all the way with Flavia Gordon achieving a commendable second place in the speech contest and third place in the evaluation contest. Katy Woolcott gave an excellent speech evaluation resulting in her being placed second in the evaluation contest.

In the speech contest there were also excellent speeches delivered by Manoj Silvarman and Katy Woolcott, and in the evaluation contest there were excellent performances delivered by Serena Nelson, Lucas Kreci and Manoj Silvarman.

The evening was  supported by Toastmasters from clubs in the area and a big thank you goes to Jenny Taggart, Dave Longley and Ceilia and Cliff who performed some of the roles for the evening.

Steve Roberts

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Congratulations to all involved in organising & running (and of course competing in) Lewisham's contest evening! All those who participated and all those who gave a helping hand.

Here are the official results:

Speech Contest
1st Richard Green
2nd Flavia Gordon

Evaluation Contest
1st Richard Green
2nd Katy Woolcott
3rd Flavia Gordon

Next Events
Wed 18 April Evening – Purley Speakers Contest
Sat 21 April 2h pm - Area 35 Contest in our Club at Lewisham
Sat 28 April afternoon - Division H Contest

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

4th April Intl TM Speech and Evaluation Contest

It was a great night for our club! Here our Contest Chair Steve R. asks questions from the contestants  
Lucas, Katy, Richard, Manoj, Serena and Flavia.
Contestants & Contest Chair
International Speech Contestants were:  Flavia, Katy, Manoj, Richard.
All gave us great speeches!

After the break, "mystery speaker" Jenny, President of Bromley Speakers, gave us a very entertaining and heartbreaking personal story that we all enjoyed. Then all six contestant Evaluated her speech.
Jenny Mistery Speaker

Many of us have other roles to help the contest go smooth and well. Thanks for all! Each time we have a contest, all of us grow and learn! And all the contestant are winners: they learned and progressed a lot!

The International Speech Contest and the Evaluation Contest Lewisham Speakers 2012 was won by Richard.G, in middle here.

Richard between Contest Chair & Chief Judge
Contest Chair Steve R. 1st Price Richard G. & Chief Judge Dave L.
Katy won the Second place of the speech contest.
And here it is! Chief juge presenting Katy her 2nd place certificate

 Flavia Toastmaster for less then a year, won the Third place!

Richard will represent our club in the Area Contest which also takes place in our place at Lewisham Speakers club the 21 April.afternoon from 2 pm.

Slideshow of the images taken on the spot, as it was and also treated in Picassa.