Author Archives: jcallagh

Maidenhead Speakers Club – Monday 19 May 2014 WITH GUEST BLOGGER, JOHN CALLAGHAN Never Mind the Width… Feel the Quality! From the outset, Doreen Gowing our “unsung hero” and Sgt@ Arms opened in lyrical fashion – obviously trying to catch the grammarian’s eye early on. Following the AGM and the appointment of the new committee, President Jacqui HoganContinue reading “Never mind the width…”

Maidenhead Speakers Club  – Monday 30 September 2013 WITH GUEST BLOGGER, JOHN CALLAGHAN Top speeches. Top humour. Top evening! The Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests on 30 September were packed – several toastmasters deep! Which is always a good sign of a lively club where the members want to stretch themselves. Never mind “never mind theContinue reading “Lights, Contest, Action!”

For various reasons it’s been a while since I have attended a meeting of Maidenhead Speakers Club. Some things change. Some stay the same! Okay the changes were mostly restricted to some new format T M badges. Stays the same pretty much covered everything else. Not that that’s a bad thing – far from it!Continue reading “A Prodigal Tale”

A big thank you to Maidenhead Speakers and their friends. The last outing of the KC Comedy Club in High Wycombe threw up an unexpected challenge. Because of various circumstances four out of five of the stand ups booked didn’t turn up. This would normally spell disaster and throw any gig into complete panic andContinue reading “Maidenhead Speakers save the day”

Toastmaster visits the Inner Wheel Club: take me to your spokes-person! Mell Shepherd in her role as Social Secretary recently gave a talk to the the Inner Wheel Club of Burnham about Toastmasters, and gave an entertaining demonstration speech – a practice run of her speech contest entry – that was very well received. AfterContinue reading “Toastmaster visits the Inner Wheel Club: take me to your spokes-person!”

  Last night, Thursday 17 May, saw the first gig for the KC Comedy Club at Magnolia Park, a private club in High Wycombe. Several members of MSC were there to enjoy the proceedings. Keith Clarke (MSC member) opened the evening to a lively crowd of over 70 comedy enthusiasts looking for a good entertaining night out. They were notContinue reading “Maidenhead Speakers members perform at the KC Comedy Club”

Shirley and the Slug I’m going through a real grungy stage with my speeches at the moment,  a bit like a teenager trying to figure out her own style , it won’t be long before I start wearing DMs, heavy makeup and get my eyebrow pierced!  What an improvement I hear you say!! But thatContinue reading “Shirley and the Slug – The Inside Story!”

It was obvious my speech title should be E=MC2. The Toastmaster announced the title and at that moment, before the introductory applause, I heard a murmur and stirring from the audience. Was it trepidation or anticipation? I wasn’t sure. I opened by reassuring the audience that by the end of the evening they would haveContinue reading “E=MC2 (and S2I=ACB)!”

After a few last minute changes and despite a number of blank slots still to be filled when the doors opened at 7.00pm – with encouragement from Jacqui Hogan as Toastmaster of the Evening and Helen Elliot as General Evaluator, all the roles were covered by 7.30pm in time for a prompt start. The energyContinue reading “Maidenhead Toastmasters Meeting: Monday 14th May 2012. Energy and Entertainment!”

Maidenhead Speakers Tall Tales Contest announced – Oh Hell!  Experienced Toastmaster Ian Rees took the trophy at the Maidenhead Speakers Tall Tales contest held at the Bird in Hand at Knowl Hill on Saturday 28 April; the occasion coincided with the annual club dinner which was well attended by around 50 Maidenhead Speakers and guestsContinue reading “Oh Hell! Its the annual Maidenhead Speakers Club dinner…”