Tag Archives: Bernie Morgan

Thanet Speakers Club Report – 22nd September 2011 (by Doug Weale)

In a well-attended meeting on the 22nd September, Chaired by Ben Harris, the Club played host to the District President, Cliff Earl: three visitors, were also made welcome, and enjoyed listening to examples of the art of public speaking. Firstly by Bernie Morgan, fresh from a coveted appearance at the Edinburgh Festival, delivered a speech in which she exemplified the use of humour-her own personal favourite attribute of the art practised at  fortnightly meetings: her fine speech was followed by an instructive demonstration by Ian Lockyer in the skilled use of a microphone, often necessary in public speaking; each was evaluated, by Ron Sheldrake and Margaret Jones, respectively, offering both complimentary and constructive comment, which would be absorbed and put to effect in future progress through the Manual; the instructive handbook by which each member is guided in a programmed course of set speeches.

As in every meeting the second half was devoted to the all-important impromptu speaking: a challenging enjoyable and most rewarding aspect of the agenda. This session was chaired by Doug Weale who offered subject matter in turn to all present, on which to speak without prior knowledge, for two minutes.  After evaluation by our Education Director, Frances Pointer,  the Trophy, awarded at each meeting, was deemed to be well-deserved by Ben Harris for the finest of the responses. 

In his summing up, the District President gave an approving evaluation of the meeting which he deemed to have been conducted in the manner befitting the aims of the Association of Speakers Clubs.

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, October 14th 2010

One of the most important aspects of being part of an ASC Public Speaking Club is the principle of self development.  This principle was very much exemplified in the club meeting which was held on Thursday, 14th October 2010.  The evening saw Ben Harris chair the meeting for the first time with supreme assurance which was not only rewarding for him, but for all the members who have seen him develop as a speaker.  Ben managed the meeting extremely well which saw speeches from two of the clubs most accomplished speakers.  Ian Lockyer undertook an advanced impromptu assignment where he only had 10 minutes to prepare for a speech on the subject ‘Making choices in your life.’ The assignment was a tough task which he completed successfully. 

Bernie Morgan made the other main speech of the evening.  She undertook and passed the seventh assignment in the Association of Speakers Club (ASC) Manual on the subject of ‘A Guided Tour’.  Her entertaining speech was evaluated meticulously by Ron Sheldrake who commented on her innovative and entertaining speech and her good use of notes.

The second half of the session saw an entertaining Topics session led by Andrew Thomson who asked open questions about various aspects of club member’s lives…which was illuminating indeed.  The whole topics session including Andrews chairmanship was thoroughly evaluated by Trevor Kenning.  Feedback and advice about the whole evening was given by club president, Doug Weale.  In summing up he particularly paid attention to the successful way Ben had managed the evening.

Thanet Speakers Club Meetings are held fortnightly on Thursday evenings at the Royal Temple Yacht Club, Ramsgate at 8.00 p.m.  For further details contact Ian Lockyer (Thanet Speakers Club Publicity Officer) on 01843 592785 or 07775815500 or via email at info@easimarketing.com. Further details can be found on our website http://www.thanetspeakers.club.  Guests are very welcome to attend without any obligation.

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

Success for Thanet at Kent Public Speaking Competittion

Competitive speaking is an integral part of the learning curve of Thanet Speakers Club: in recent competitions at club and Kent  Area level , an eminent member of Thanet Speakers, Bernie Morgan, has distinguished herself by not only winning the coveted Club Evaluation Competition, but last weekend the Kent Area Evaluation Competition.

Evaluation is the process by which all new and existing members improve their style and efficiency in the art of delivery and composition of a speech:  Bernie will now proceed to the next competitive level:  at the District competition in March.

The exitement heightens as District winners then meet in  the final round at the National meeting in April.

Watch this space !