Burn’s Night 2023

Before the meeting got fully under way, there was a slight but pleasant diversion as Area Director, Elizabeth Meads, came to the front to wish a happy birthday to our Toastmaster of the evening, Stephanie Bisby and to lead the attendees in a round of that most famous of anniversary anthems.

On to the meeting itself and, with Burn’s Night just a couple of days, Stephanie had picked up on this theme and guests were encouraged to dress smartly or with a Scottish reference.  In addition, little snippets of the great bard’s poetry were dripped in throughout the meeting.

Linking in with this theme was the Word of the Day, in recognition of the standing held by Scotland’s National Poet – Significant (or any derivation thereof), as set by Bridget Pearson.  Unable to attend in person due to illness but still managing to contribute via the power of Zoom.  The hybrid meetings have been a great success in allowing people to attend that may, otherwise, be unable to, be that due to health, geography or circumstance.

Only one prepared speech tonight, from our highly experienced member Andy Howell, who mused on the juxtaposition caused by his excitement around anything new – especially gadgets – and his love of the more traditional and classic models.  Ultimately, there’s no reason to be one or the other and there’s nothing wrong with being a classical geek.

This is a speech that Andy will run again in a few week’s time.  The purpose of the exercise, as guided by our online training programme, Pathways, is to get feedback on what we do and then demonstrate that we’ve taken that feedback on board and incorporated it into going forwards.

This is the best way to learn anything and is at the core of what we do at Toastmasters.  It’s also a great way for new members to get over their fear of ‘having to be perfect’ in their early days, because they know that they’re going to be doing the same speech again, there are no issues in getting it wrong.  Not that there ever is an issue, but the mind doesn’t work that way.

Before the break, Stephanie came back up to the front to run an education slot on just such a theme.  The Biggest Fear that people have when speaking in front of an audience.  She shared her own journey and then encouraged experienced members to do likewise.  What became apparent was that virtually everybody had, at some time or another, experienced Imposter Syndrome.  This included experienced professional speakers and helped to demonstrate that, not only are you in good company, but that it doesn’t have to hold you back.

We then had a break which was significant in that there was birthday cake to be had (excellently made by Elizabeth Meads) as well as a tray of donuts to be shared (thank you Donald Sweeting).  Luckily there was no chance of succumbing to a sugar crash as the second half kept up the energy of the first.

After Helen Jordan had given her feedback to Andy, we were straight into Table Topics, with each situation or question connecting to Scotland or Poetry in some way.  A special mention to our returning guests, Sophie Ellis and Charlie Tindill both of whom volunteered to take part.  Indeed, it was Charlie who walked away with the ribbon for Best Table Topic after contrasting the desire of being a famous sports star and a famous poet.  Having been a boxer in the past, his gaze now turned to rhythmic writing and it’s power to change the world.

Lianna Williamson gave her feedback to everyone that had undertaken a Topic challenge and delivered it via Zoom and one handed – as the other one was cradling an infant throughout.  Full marks for multi-tasking.

After reports from our Grammarian and Ah Counter (Arthur Fenn), the meeting was summarised by the General Evaluator, Andrew Miller, complete with See-You-Jimmy wig to mark the occasion – and clearly the deciding factor on getting him the Best Evaluator

award for the evening.

Steeped in quality and fun it was another great meeting.  We meet again on 13^th February.  Get there for 6.45pm, ready for a 7pm start and I’m sure that it’ll be another fun night – though we can’t guarantee cake every time !!