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by
Peter Kennedy "We
invite you to come forward, and to talk for two minutes on ..."
It might be My Earliest Memory, or My Blue Heaven – or anything at all. For one startled guest, it was My First Car, and there he was, in the glare of His First Car's headlights. He survived .... would you? Could you stand and deliver an impromptu
address before an audience of attentive listeners?
If you are one of those sturdy souls who are not
unnerved by the idea of speaking in public, and who would still like
to improve your skills, then Wivenhoe Wordsmiths may well be the group for
you. And if the idea of
putting yourself through the ordeal of public speaking simply appalls
you, then Wivenhoe Wordsmiths will be there to coax and cajole you through
the whole process without causing you shame or embarrassment. I say "will be there" but I
suspect that a lot will depend on the response to their next couple of
meetings. I went along to
their first demonstration meeting at the British Legion in mid-January,
and I have to say that attendance was on the light side.
The local sponsors of that inaugural meeting, Camulodunum Speakers
Club, along with Club President Barry O'Connell and supported by members
of speakers clubs from Ipswich, Martlesham and Barry O'Connell, himself a Wivenhoe
resident, said that being Irish he liked to exercise the gift of the gab,
and went on "Knowing how to speak in public and knowing that skilled
speakers will evaluate your efforts is a real confidence builder. So many
people have a fear of speaking, we can help people overcome that fear and
make sure that the words they say can control those fears and make their
butterflies fly in formation". Toastmasters
International The speakers clubs are all members of
Toastmasters International. Not that they go around in red
jackets proposing toasts to all and sundry, no; they are interested in
learning and improving public speaking skills in a friendly environment.
They do have quite structured programmes, and Toastmaster International
publishes a range of educative brochures or booklets.
At the club meetings members are given assignments and other
members provide constructive evaluations of their presentations.
But the atmosphere is informal and friendly, and I think the
experience can be both challenging and enjoyable. They are nice
people and they provided tea (I had coffee) and biscuits. You may find further information on: www.camulodunumspeakers.org.uk Peter Kennedy |
