Tag Archives: Ian Lockyer

Thanet Speakers Club Report – 9th February 2012 (by Doug Weale)

Bernie Morgan, chairing the meeting on 9th February, introduced an agenda of public speaking; commencing with two impromptu speeches in succession.  Each speaker was given a choice from three subjects on which to speak, with very little preparation: widely differing and reflecting the style and forte of them both. In the 200 years since Charles Dickens` Birth -What Progress Has Been Made? Was answered in unequivocal terms by Doug Weale; who drew attention to some aspects of decline in society, rather than progress. Trevor Kenning addressing the proposition that the role of grandparent is difficult infused humour along with thought provoking logic into his personal reflections on this demanding age of a man, of which he is an exemplar.

The customary impromptu speaking session followed: chaired by Ian Lockyer, the club`s skilful webmaster, who, with an imaginative theme, drew on childhood for totally unprepared responses: a vital quality in the speakers armoury is to be able to speak with authority on diverse subjects; the topics session is on every agenda, challenging but within capability and always entertaining; a trophy being awarded -by popular vote, for the best response, presented on this occasion to Trevor Kenning.

Evaluation of the “Topics” by Ben Harris, our youngest member, demonstrated his recognition of the qualities displayed, by both members and chairman, for the success of the session.

In a final overall evaluation, Margaret Jones drew attention to the skill of speaking without preparation, and how well the whole meeting had been chaired. For all details of visiting and membership, please contact Doug Weale 01843 592221 or dougweale@dougweale.plus.com  or http://www.thanetspeakers.club

Thanet Speakers Club Report – 27th October 2011 (by Doug Weale)

With exemplary chairmanship by Trevor Kenning, the meeting on October 27th, attended by club members and several visitors, demonstrated the art of speaking as practised  following the standards of the Association of Speakers Clubs to which we belong.  The format of the agenda was customary;  a traditional warm-up, all present being invited by the chairman, to speak briefly on a subject of his choice; topical and effectively ensuring his objective-to induce an atmosphere  of welcome and readiness to further participation and ensuring the enjoyment of all present : chairmanship is but one of many skills related to the art of speaking in public which is learned at the club.   

Speeches in succession by two members, followed by Ben Harris and John Poole, of widely differing subject matter, each written and delivered, to meet the  criteria of the respective assignment; vocabulary and word pictures, followed by the use of gestures.  Evaluation, the essence of our learning in the absence of professional tuition-given by Ron Sheldrake and Kathleen Smith  on this occasion ,adding to a consensus of opinion of other club members, on progression  through the Manual as successive assignments are undertaken.

Impromptu speaking completed the agenda.  The Topics offered to all in attendance were  carefully chosen to be challenging but well within the ability  and proving -as always-an entertaining  exercise in this vital factor of speaking.  Andrew Thomson conducted  this session and was complimented in the General overall evaluation by Ian Lockyer for his able endeavours, also drawing particular reference to Trevor Kenning, who was awarded by popular vote, the Topics Trophy,h aving given the best response; and who,together with his Chairmanship offered a fine example of all that is in evidence at our meetings,which he himself will testify gained from a long-standing membership.

Visitors are welcome to all our meetings at the Royal Temple Yacht Club on the second and fourth Thursdays monthly.

For further details contact Doug Weale 01843 592221; dougweale@dougweale.plus.com or the website http://www.thanetspeakers.club

Thanet Speakers Club Report, May 13th 2010

A superb meeting on May 13th,chaired by Andrew Thomson, illustrated the very best of the objectives pursued in the development of speaking in public: comprising of a wide range of subject matter, ranging from the mains water supply, in economically stressed Greece, to the beauty of a village church in England, via the  French revolution.
 
The  fascinating content of the prepared speeches by Lisa Emms and Bernie Morgan, in turn, not only demonstrated their respective progress set by the club`s guide book, but provided entertainment for an audience of fellow members and visitors. Advancement is monitored by more experienced speakers by virtue of evaluation – constructive appraisal with appropriate advice for improvement: offerrred, in this instance-by Ian Lockyer and June Edwards respectively.  Bernie Morgan has now qualified for her intermediate certificate of achievement.
 
The second half of the meeting continued with the same high standard, but on subject matter-topics-for which no time is given for preparation: impromptu speaking. Doug Weale set a challenging theme, to deliver an opposing opinion of established and well founded proverbs, which had stood the test of time.  The speaking with authority, required in such a session, is  vital to our objective, offering an opportunity to all present, including usual visitors: two of whom, Rohan Banerjee and Marco Gerghty,f rom Chatham House G.S., gave an impressive response to their topic. For the best response of all, judged by popular vote, the trophy was awarded to Trevor Kenning, who as a founder member of the club, took great delight in it`s presentation to him by Rohan,the previous winner. The ceremony highlighting the concomitance of  novice and master in admiration of what the club has to offer. 
 
The meeting as a whole was,in the evaluation given by Bernie Morgan, of the high standard to which the club regularly aspires. 
 
For details of visiting and membership please contact Doug Weale 01843 592221 or dougweale@dougweale.plus.com or visit www.thanetspeakers.org.org.uk
 

Thanet Speakers Club Report, April 8th 2010

The diversity within Thanet Speakers Club which is practised at our meetings continues to be entertaining and rewarding for club members.  On offer in the meeting held on the April 8th 2010, under the skillful chairmanship of Trevor Kenning, was a wide range of entertaining eloquent qualities.

An unforeseen opportunity, seized upon by the chairman, allowed time for recollections by members to recall rare anecdotes: the raconteurs, including the chairman, excelled—-some at great length !  Chairmanship skill is an integral part of a good meeting and Trevor Kenning ran the programme with the utmost efficiency .The main attraction was an assignment from the advanced manual by Ian Lockyer.  His task was to present using PowerPoint which in this era of technology has become a vital aquisition to the speaker.  Doug Weale in his evaluation commended the comprehensive and easily understood demonstration given and gave in a resounding pass.

Impromptu speaking was to the fore, as in every meeting. Ben Harris, in his inaugural role in chairing the impromptu ‘topics session’ rand the session, with commendable enthusiasm.  The topics trophy for the best response to quotations proffered, was awarded to Bernie Morgan, who, with her customary style, had earlier delivered a stand-up comedy routine; to be presented in her professional capacity to a discerning London audience.   She then completed a notable contribution to the evening, with an appreciative general evaluation.

For details of membership and visiting, please contact Doug Weale 01843 592221 or dougweale@dougweale .plus.com or visit our website http://www.thanetspeakers.club

Thanet Speakers Club now on Facebook!

You can now keep up to date with the latest news from Thanet Speakers Club on the social networking site Facebook.  Facebook is a free-access social networking website in which users can join networks organised by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. People can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves.

Ian Lockyer, Webmaster of Thanet Speakers Club commented, “Our Facebook page will have a lot of  content on it which won’t necessarily be seen on this sites. The Facebook page is very much an informal site where we are looking for our members to add content and post messages.”

Visit www.facebook.com for more information on Facebook and to sign up.