It was a night of mixed emotions as we bid farewell to what has been our home for nearly a year and a half, but enjoyed another full house with excellent speeches and feedback.
Steven Okonkwo opened the evening and welcomed all to the meeting before introducing the Toastmaster for the evening, Keith Oliver. Keith welcomed the various guests, and explained the protocols and manner of proceedings for the evening. He then asked Sheryl Andrews to indicate the role of the Timekeeper.
Adrian Reed was grammarian and set the word of the evening as Paradigm, meaning a framework.
Wendy Benson stepped in to fill the role of Warm Up Master and reflecting on the wet, dank weather we had been experiencing asked what people were looking forward to as the brighter nights grew ever longer. Not surprisingly most welcomed the warmer weather with a variety of activities. It was again pleasing to see all in the room participating including the guests.
Wendy Benson started the prepared speeches with a reading from Nelson Mandela\\'s biography “Long Road to Freedom”, followed by a humorous speech from Michael John Smithson on the various meanings of the words Up and Down. Gavin Meikle concluded the speeches by relating the story of Toastmaster\\'s founder, Ralph Smedley.
After a break when we again enjoyed the coffee prepared by our host at the Coffee Lounge, we returned for the feedback for the various speakers, given by Brent Crouch, Vanessa King (Div H Governor) and Robin Chawner. These each gave praise and ideas for improvement in equal measure.
We next moved to Table Topics hosted by Chris Ellis. Chris asked the first three participants the same question, “which 4 people would you have married?” and the final two were asked “if they had a cellar, what they would use it for?” Both topics gave room for insights into the participants and humour.
Sue Windell (Arun Speakers) then had the task of giving feedback which she did effortlessly picking up on the strengths of the various participants.
Adrian Reed reported on the good use of language throughout the evening and emphasised just how many times the word paradigm had been used.
With time now against us, Robin Clarke (Solent Speakers) gave us his opinions as General Evaluator on the evening as a whole, together with pertinent comments for the evaluators.
The Toastmaster now invited Vanessa King as Division Governor to address the club.
We then moved to the awards, presented by Michael-John, and in particular one to our host, Richard, in the form of a picture of the Spinnaker Tower which he had painted himself, which was graciously received.
Keith Oliver closed the meeting with a great deal of Club Business reflecting the work to be done now we had chartered. He also welcomed two new members to the club, Ros Bristow and Mike Reed, before asking the guests for their thoughts and comments.
At the end a final club photograph was taken before we departed for our new home at the nearby Ibis Hotel.
Best Speaker – Gavin Meikle, Best Evaluator – Sue Windell, Best Table Topics – Ian Lester (guest)