Has your dog taught you anything about life? That was the theme of the impromptu mini speeches posed by Caroline Bellhouse. Jen Cashmore’s word of the night was realization and many speakers wove canine memories and tales into evocative and humorous word pictures combining both elements.
Jane Craven’s eyes twinkled with affection as she concurred (pun intended) that her dogs do indeed focus on walks and naps; ‘they sniff at everything and go straight to bed’
Andre Rezmerita and Tim Morris both charmed us with childhood memories of favourite canines, roaming the roasting Romanian mountains and working Herefordshire sheep, respectively.
Joan Edwards took us on a deliciously scented imaginative stroll through the changing seasons in her carefully choreographed garden while Karen Lowen was reminded how invested that she became in a canine character in a novel. But it was guest Simon Blundell’s description of post work home comings that drew the most laughs and indeed won the Best Table Topic ribbon of the evening. Congratulations Simon!
The two prepared speeches provided contrast and interest. President Roger Granville gave a thorough PowerPoint presentation on Easyspeak, the online meeting manager and on Pathways, which is the road map for people to choose their speaking path (many choices, from presentation mastery to technical presentation—something for everyone!).
Geoff Richardson’s speech ‘Farewell February– we will miss you’ was thought provoking, descriptive and hopeful and as evaluator Andre Rezmerita noted ‘offered us a gentle invitation for reflection’ about months as personalities. If February had feelings, would it be sad? But Geoff saw through the dark, cold month and urged us to see the clarity of skies and stars through bare trees and the continuity and hope offered by tiny green shoots and buds; harbingers of spring.
Andre Rezmerita, Dave Evans, Karen Lowen and Jane Craven demonstrated excellent listening skills and all provided constructive and practical feedback to take speakers to an even higher level.
Toastmaster Roger Granville led the meeting smoothly and to time and was ably assisted by Time keeper Dave Evans and Grammarian Jen Cashmore - who won her audience with prizes of chocolate for the least and most ums and errs. Angela Davison introduced a beautiful word—apricity, which describes the feeling of, specifically, winter sunshine.
On that happy note, and with reminders that semiannual payments are due, the meeting closed on time at 9.30pm.
Next meeting will be at 7.15 for 7.30 start on Tuesday 19th March in The Cranny at Great Malvern Hotel. All welcome.