NOTES OF SOUTH LANCASTER SPEAKERS CLUWEDNESDAY 9^th December 2020 via ZOOM

In attendance:- Yashoda Auchombit, Diana Douglas, James Douglas, Jane Entwistle, John Entwistle, (Vice President), Eddy Jackson, Louise Jackson (President)  Albert Kelsall, Carol Kershaw, David Knox, Joyce Meiring and Mark Rogers.

Apologies:- Sue Solloway, Sabe Connor and Pepe Ruzvidzo

WELCOME /INTRODUCTIONS

The President welcomed those present including guests for the evening.

The Chair for the evening was Diana Douglas.

The theme for tonight’s meeting reflected the time of the year and each member present had been asked to prepare and then read a short story, extract from a story or a poem about Christmas.

David Knox- “King John’s Christmas” by A.A. Milne

James Douglas –“ Henry V” by William Shakespeare”

Carol Kershaw –“Under the Greenwood Tree” by Thomas Hardy

Jane Entwistle – “A Visit by St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore

Eddy Jackson –“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens

Louise Jackson –“An Article from The Times” by David Sanderson

Joyce Meiring –“Toad of Toad Hall” by Kenneth Grahame

Albert Kelsall –“A view on Christmas Day” by Charles Dickens

Mark Rogers –“In Memoriam (Ring Out Wild Bells)” by Alfred Lord Tennyson & Covid-19 to Twelve Days of Christmas”

An Evaluation of each of the presentations was carried out by the next speaker on the above list.

A “ get to know you better “ session was held where members were invited to say what they enjoyed doing in their free time.

John Entwistle informs those present that he had many interests which included drama, both acting and working backstage, gardening, cycling, hill walking, mountaineering and was also involved with a Foodbank in Morecambe.

Yashoda Auchombit was extremely keen on cleaning, watching Strictly Come Dancing, speaking to her family who live in Mauritius and exploring the South West and hopefully the North West of the country

The General Evaluation was carried out by James Douglas

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

The Meeting closed at 9.02

Date of next Meeting 13^th January 2021

Facebook page for the Speakers Club

The South Lancaster Speakers Club President welcomes you

HOMESCHOOLING IS BETTER THAN TRADITIONAL EDUCATION

What are your views, thoughts, and position on this topic?

Some of the most crucial life transition occurs during the early years, primary, high school, college, and university education.

Let me map these out? Are there any I have missed?

There are powerful arguments for compulsory education within government or private institutions.

Let us take an alternative perspective where the self-esteem, the development of a balanced, well-informed, educated child emerges as a young adult.

We can do this by putting homeschooling and ‘normal’ education under the microscope.

For this speech, my focus is on personality, temperament, motivation, engagement, creativity, problem-solving ability, sociability, and having a balanced education.

It is about a child – person-centric approach versus systemic testing, rigid conformity to a restricted – narrow curriculum delivered in a brutal bureaucracy.

Whose interest benefits? – Exam boards, bloated universities, colleges, and schools filled with meddling form fillers lacking in imagination and creativity?

Your child, relations, and the country deserve better.

Extend the early years, nursery, and infant curriculum from birth to the age of twenty-one years to develop the whole child within 24/7 365 days for twenty years for a dramatic improvement in the nation's ability to win Nobel Prizes or educate children away from so-called teachers and schools.

Home Schooling Is Better Than Traditional Education…. in very very very small doses

Would you agree, that all too often in the UK,

there are whopping blanket generalisations;

which supposedly fit and apply to each and everyone on the planet;

with singular bigotry,

that can also all far too easily,

be garballed and taken completely out of context.

However, surely as a very generalistic rule of thumb,

that with children of normal school ages

that is starting from around 5 years and above,

in terms of their daytime schooling,

they are going to be better educated, in overall terms,

by attending the usual types of private, state

and church based traditional  classroom schoolings etc.

with all the other pupils in attendance.

Isn’t one of the major factors here,

about the huge need for child socialisation;

arguably within mixed gender traditional schooling too;

in full preparation

for their outside of school future world,

including the whole of their subsequent working lives

and beyond.

The huge amounts that pupils learn

just only from their peers.

As fellow pupils can influence, develop

and do get to know each other,

far more, than school teachers,

get to know the children.

Does more credance and attention need to be given

to the survey and analysis made,

of the millionaires in California during the 1970s.

When it was discovered that the common denominator

of these millionaires,

was not their academic achievements,

but in fact, it was instead

that the millionaires,

“get on well with people”.

Surely, success in marriage, family life

and virtually every occupational field,

being not just only the commercial work environments,

is largely dependant on getting on well with people.

However, again as a general rule of thumb,

if a parent is seeking additional schooling tuition for a child,

in the evenings or weekends or school holidays,

outside of normal school hours,

then surely one to one teaching,

by a suitably qualified and professional private teacher

visiting the child, in their own home,

can be ultimately desirable.

Especially from a potentially academic attainment point of view.

For hasn’t it generally been proven,

beyond all reasonable doubt whatsoever,

that the smaller, the total numbers of pupils,

in a given classroom,

under the proverbial teacher to pupil ratios,

the better it is for the child student,

from an academic perspective.

This being due to the more direct

and individual attention

that the pupil will receive from a teacher.

Conversely, turn that on its perhaps undisputed back,

with a quotation from Stephen Leacock,

in his book entitled: “My Discovery Of England”,

in 1922 when he stated:

“Most people tire of a lecture in ten minutes,

clever people can do it in five,

sensible people never go to lectures at all”.

End of quotation..

Could the quotation mean that learning

by one’s self at home,

can be even more effective,

than being educated in a“one to one” situation.

Through research, discovery learning

and parrot fashion assimilation of key material.

Alternatively, should it be considered

that these are whopping generalisations

and bigotry again indeed.

What about mixtures and variety

and the added benefits

of team work in traditional education.

Thankfully there is no insular “I” in team work.

The proverbial two good heads being better than one.

A communicating community of interest

in traditional education.

Also liaising and comparing notes,

with other similar communities of interest.

Developing and sharing best and worst practices.

Alas, in conclusion,

if it wasn’t for the current vital necessities of lockdowns,

shouldn’t a home, continue to revert

to being nothing more

than a place to hang one’s hat

and educate the cat.

Mark Rodgers
South Lancaster Speakers Club

MINUTES SOUTH LANCASTER SPEAKERS CLUB

                  WEDNESDAY 12^th August 2020

       VIA ZOOM

In Attendance:- Diana Douglas, James Douglas, Jane Entwistle, John Entwistle, (Vice President), Eddy Jackson, Louise Jackson (President) Carol Kershaw, David Knox, Joyce Meiring and Mark Rogers

Apologies:- Sue Solloway

The President opened up the Meeting by welcoming those present and then handed over to the Chair for the evening Carol Kershaw.

The theme for the evening was for members to bring along up to three items which reflected the speaker’s character or aspirations.

 Jane Entwistle  – Mixing Bowls, Knitting and a Hard Hat.

The mixing bowls represented the fact that she loved cooking and feeding people, the knitting represented her creative side and the hard hat an item she adorned whilst visiting potentially dangerous building sites etc whilst carrying out her profession as an Engineer.

James Douglas carried out the Evaluation.

Mark Rogers – had a Citroen DS as his item

This aspirational Car was a favourite of his, ‘a very beautiful car’  which he felt transformed his driving style whether he drove fast or slow and he described the benefits of the soft suspension of this car compared to others.

David Knox Evaluated this contribution.

Carol Kershaw – French Dictionary, Selection of stones and choral singing.

Carol stated that she was a Linguist and loved dictionaries, she also loved to travel and had many stones from different places visited including a piece of the Berlin Wall. Call also loved choral singing which gave a general feeling of well being.

John Entwistle gave an Evaluation of this speech.

Diana Douglas – a Card and a bag

Diana informed those present that it had recently been her son’s fiftieth birthday and to mark the occasion she made him a unique birthday card using her many creative skills which she enjoyed immensely. Shortly after her son’s birthday it was her daughter in law’s birthday and she decided to make her a special card as well and used the features of a bag that her husband had given her.

John Entwistle carried out the Evaluation.

Eddy Jackson – A Barometer was his item of choice

Eddy stated that this was the number one instrument on board a boat. The Barometer can tell the user of any potential bad or inclement weather which could potentially be a danger to the boat and those aboard her, examples of which were well described by the speaker.

James Douglas Evaluated this Speech.

David Knox – a glass of water

David described the life saving qualities of water, and drew attention to the amount of water in the glass, half empty or half full a pessimistic or optimistic view of life. He admitted to being a pessimist but stated the benefits of being an optimist.

John Entwistle carried out the Evaluation.

James Douglas – a Mechanical Engineer’s Diary

James stated that this particular item was very precious to him. It had been given to him by his father when he first started University at Glasgow in 1958. Throughout his career it was an invaluable reference document.

Mark Rogers Evaluated this speech

Joyce Meiring – Weighing Scales

For her weighing scales Joyce told us that she had both metric and imperial weights in order to cope with all recipes both old and new. Joyce informed the audience that she had been a Domestic Science Teacher and that she found baking and cooking very therapeutic, all the whisking and beating of ingredients. Creating things gave her a sense of achievement.

This speech was Evaluated by Mark Rogers

John Entwistle – a Map, Cycling Helmet and a Garden Fork

John said that he could spend ages looking at a map of which he had many tending to buy one for every new place he visited whilst hill walking or mountaineering. The  helmet was for the cycling holidays he went on an The reassurance it gave him. The garden fork was for another of his favourite pass times and said that without a garden he would be very unhappy.

David Knox gave an Evaluation of this contribution to the evening.

Louise Jackson – shoes and more shoes!

Louise told the audience that her speech would come in to the aspirational category. She felt that shoes should be stylish but with style comes consequences. Louise said that she had bought a lovely pair of walking boots but had not broken them in, this resulted in blisters and pain and necessitated her having to buy a pair of pumps, which were not so stylish but were ever so comfortable. For her daughter’s wedding she bought a very stylish pair of shoes that looked very good but impractical.

David Knox Evaluated this Speech.

The General Evaluation was carried out by Jane Entwistle

Business Section

The President informed those present that Joyce Meiring had decided to accept the vacant position of Education Director.

In terms of when we would be able to return safely to meeting at the Methodist Church Schoolroom again  was still unclear. It was therefore decided that we would continue meeting through Zoom for the foreseeable future but that the subject would be reviewed regularly. Due to holiday commitments it was decided to alter the dates of the next two meetings which would now be on the 16^th & 30^th September

The President thanked those attending for what was an enjoyable meeting.

                                  The Meeting ended at 8.50

          Date of next Meeting Wednesday 16^th September 2020

John Entwistle Lancaster Speakers Club

SOUTH LANCASTER SPEAKERS CLUB - EVALUATION SESSION

John delivered an excellent synopsis and a strong presentation with little to improve. Could he make it any better? No, I don't think so.

His succinct title and introduction quickly established a framework that mapped out the speeches development. The HS2 speech was topical, informative, and delivered with conviction.

The South Lancaster Speakers members gave feedback and the Education Director fed back on the objectives of this evaluation session. Check out the Chairpersons minutes on the club's Facebook page.

HS2                  WHAT CAN WE DO WITH £100 BILLION

                            100,000,000,000   = 11 zeros

Suggested by Labour in 2009                 approved by Conservative in Feb 2020

Opening in 2030 ???

Stage 1                      HS2A              London Euston to Birmingham and Crewe

Stage 2                      HS”B               Brm to Leeds    + Crewe to M/c & Liverpool

                                    Linked in with Northen Powehouse Rail network

                                = High Speed North    – Liverpool – Leeds

CASE FOR  

Green                        Reduce intercity car and Air transport – less emissions

Business                    Will bring more business to BRM; M/c & Leeds

                                    More business hubs based on cities – draw in locals

                                                Bolton/Bury/Blackpool/Preston/Blackburn/Burnley

                                    More intercity business in the North ( if northern rail )

Capacity                    Less overcrowding

                                    More trains on existing networks for commuters etc

Re Balance the Economy

                                    Generate more jobs and wealth in the North

CASE AGAINST

GREEN                       Green party against it / faster trains use more energy

                                                            Should focus on local connections

                                    Environment – destroy 40 & damage 6) Ancient woodlands

                                    Restrict access to much open country

BUSINESS                  Euston is quietest of London Terminals

                                    No demand for more Intercity travel to London

                                    More demand for better commuter / local services

Rebalance the Economy

                                    Will suck businesses to London

                                    Will suck business activity to Cities with HS2 connections

                                    Will reduce business activity in smaller towns

                                    Need to Build and Invest in the North if we want to uplift

                                    the North – Why spend the money in the South

Crossrail 1 = 18 Billion – ready in 2021

Crossrail 2 = 41 Billion – 2023 –> 2038                        60 Billion for London

107 Billion = £1,500 per person in UK  pop is 67 Million

= £ 70 per person per year over 20 years

= £ 50 per person per year over 30 years

PROFIT – none

WHAT IF WE DO NOT BUILD HS2

Green                        More traffic on roads / expansion of Motorways

                                    More traffic = more pollution

                                    Air Quality in urban areas reduced

                                    BUT ….. Electric vehicles – need to produce more electricity

Business                    Remain focused on the South East

Capacity                    More problems on the rails as we attempt to :

                                                cram in more passengers

                                                cram in more scheduled trains

                                    Overcrowding

Re balance the Economy

                                    No boost to the Midlands or to the North

CONCLUSIONS                     The Wrong Project /  SPEND MONEY ON NORTH

60 BILLION for Crossrail 1 + 2  - could do a great deal with that in the North

BUT WE DO NEED MORE CAPACITY?

Training In Communications & Public Speaking Lancaster

MINUTES SOUTH LANCASTER SPEAKERS CLUB

11^th DECEMBER 2019

In Attendance:- Diana Douglas, James Douglas, Jane Entwistle, John Entwistle, Eddy Jackson, Louise Jackson, Carol Kershaw, David Knox, Joyce Meiring (2) and Sue Solloway.

Apologies:- Andrew Hawkes

Greetings and Introductions

The President opened the Meeting by welcoming those present.

The Chair for the evening was Diana Douglas.

The Prepared Speech for the evening was given by Sue Solloway, the title was “ A Poem – In Praise Of You “ It was an unconventional speech as it was set to verse. The poem spoke of every member of the club highlighting their forte. The humour was very gentle and the audience rapport was whole hearted.

What is a praise poem?

John Entwistle Evaluated Sue’s speech and pointed out the various strong points contained within the contribution and felt that the speech was very inclusive of the membership and that it had been well received by those present.

Readings

The next part of the meeting was different from normal and took the form of each speaker giving a four minute reading of their choice eg a poem, a piece of prose, a newspaper article.

David Knox – Tam o’ Shanter by Rabbie Burns (extracts)

When chapman billies leave the street,

And drouthy neebors, neebors meet,

As market-days are wearing late,

An’ folk begin to tak the gate;

While we sit bousing at the nappy,

And getting fou and unco’ happy,

We think na on the lang Scots miles,

The mosses, waters, slaps and styles,

That lie between us and our hame,

Whare sits our sulky sullen dame,

Gathering her brows like gathering storm,

Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.

O Tam! hadst thou but been sae wise,

As ta’en thy ain wife Kate’s advice!

She taul thee weel thou was a skellum,

A blethering, blustering, drunken blellum;

That frae November till October,

Ae market-day thou was nae sober;

But to our tale: Ae market-night,

Tam had got planted unco right;

Fast by an ingle, bleezing finely,

Wi’ reaming swats, that drank divinely;

And at his elbow, Souter Johnny,

His ancient, trusty, drouthy crony;

Tam lo’ed him like a vera brither;

The had been fou for weeks thegither.

The night drave on wi’ sangs and clatter;

And ay the ale was growing better:

The landlady and Tam grew gracious,

Wi’ favours, secret, sweet, and precious:

The Souter tauld his queerest stories;

The landlord’s laugh was ready chorus:

The storm without might rair and rustle,

Tam did na mind the storm a whistle.

Weel mounted on his gray mare, Meg,

A better never lifted leg,

Tam skelpit on thro’ dub and mire,

Despising wind, and rain, and fire;

Whiles holding fast his gude blue bonnet;

Whiles crooning o’er some auld Scots sonnet;

Whiles glowring round wi’ prudent cares,

Lest bogles catch him unawares:

Kirk-Alloway was drawing nigh,

Whare ghaists and houlets nightly cry.—

Ah, Tam! Ah, Tam! thou’ll get thy fairin!

In hell they’ll roast thee like a herrin!

In vain thy Kate awaits thy comin!

Kate soon will be a woefu’ woman!

Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg,

And win the key-stane of the brig;

There at them thou thy tail may toss,

A running stream they dare na cross.

But ere the key-stane she could make,

The fient a tail she had to shake!

For Nannie, far before the rest,

Hard upon noble Maggie prest,

And flew at Tam wi’ furious ettle;

But little wist she Maggie’s mettle—

Ae spring brought off her master hale,

But left behind her ain gray tail:

The carlin claught her by the rump,

And left poor Maggie scarce a stump.

Now, wha this tale o’ truth shall read,

Ilk man and mother’s son, take heed:

Whene’er to drink you are inclin’d,

Or cutty-sarks run in your mind,

Think, ye may buy the joys o’er dear,

Remember Tam o’ Shanter’s mare.

Eddy Jackson – Marion Moore's views on Marriage

The reading started with an extract from the King Jame's Bible. Genesis 2:

"And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."

A Lancashire Speakers Club Reading Topic

Marriage

This institution,
perhaps one should say enterprise
out of respect for which
one says one need not change one's mind
about a thing one has believed in,
requiring public promises
of one's intention
to fulfill a private obligation:
I wonder what Adam and Eve
think of it by this time,
this firegilt steel
alive with goldenness;
how bright it shows --
"of circular traditions and impostures,
committing many spoils,"
requiring all one's criminal ingenuity
to avoid!

Jane Entwistle – Macavity– The Mystery Cat by T. S. Eliot

Joyce Meiring – St. Kilda – The Street where we lived

Carol Kershaw - Joyce Grenville – a humorous narrative

James Douglas - On a Tennis Court

Diana Douglas – Installing a Husband

Installing A Husband

MINUTES SOUTH LANCASTER SPEAKERS CLUB

                    27^th November 2019

In Attendance:- Diana Douglas, James Douglas, Jane Entwistle, John Entwistle, Eddy Jackson, Louise Jackson, Carol Kershaw, David Knox and Sue Solloway.

Apologies:- Andrew Hawkes and Joyce Meiring.

Welcome and Introductions

The President welcomed those present and then passed over to Sue Solloway, Chair for the evening.

Prepared Speeches

Each Member had been asked to prepare a four-minute speech the title given  “A Most Interesting Fact.” As expected subjects covered by each speaker were varied and interesting.

 “Difference between Breakfast Tea and India Tea” how the two are made, the health benefits of tea. This talk came from Louise Jackson.

John Entwistle talked about some physical and historical features in Cumbria where a battle took place, bringing to an end the last Celtic Kingdom in the country.

“Left Handedness”, David Knox informed those present that approximately 11% of the world’s population is left-handed, that there are slightly more male ‘lefties’ than females, that on average they die younger than right-handed people and that five out of the last eight American Presidents were left-handed.

Eddy Jackson talked about a young student who challenged his superiors who had embellished results of tests on new products which resulted in him being ‘transferred’ to France but ended up running the company.

Jane Entwistle talked about Percy Shaw and his invention “Cats Eyes” which came about following a very hazardous journey where he could not see where he was going. On a recent journey Jane estimated that there approximately one million cats eyes on the motorways between Bristol and Lancaster.

James Douglas entertained members with an interesting talk about water, 75% of the total universe is made up of Hydrogen and that only one billionth of the sun’s energy reaches earth and that it takes eight minutes to arrive.

Carol Kershaw’s talk was about coffee drinkers and made reference to some drawbacks to drinking too much coffee, headaches and difficulties getting to sleep. Carol also made reference to various well-known people such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Sir James McIntosh and their opinions on this beverage.

Diana Douglas most interesting fact was about the Ukulele. A detailed explanation was given as to how chords are constructed on this easy to play a musical instrument, and that one does not have to be able to read music in order to play.

Sue Solloway talked about global warming and greenhouse gases and her very interesting fact was that the most abundant gas in the atmosphere is ‘water vapour.’ The talk also included information on carbon dioxide and that the biggest absorber of this gas is plankton.

Prepared Speeches – Evaluations

These evaluations were carried out by Diana Doulas, John Entwistle and Louise Jackson. All three were allocated speakers to evaluate and all three pointed out the strong points and offered some very helpful advice as to where improvements could be made. It would be fair to say that during the remainder of the evening speakers certainly took on board the comments made by the Evaluators!

Topics Session

The Chair for this session was Jane Entwistle and the theme chosen was inspired by her journey from Bristol to Lancaster. The Topics included ‘Road Signs,’ ‘Motorways or A Roads,’ ‘Speed Cameras,’ ‘Driving Tests,’ ‘Driverless Cars,’ ‘Compulsory Car Share’ and ‘Music in Cars.’

Topics Evaluation

The job of Evaluating the Topics was given to Carol Kershaw who highlighted the pros and cons of each contribution.

The General Evaluator,  Eddy Jackson, commented on the evening as a whole, which was very enjoyable, well chaired. He also made some very positive comments on how much members had improved over the last year in what is a very supportive, constructive and fun atmosphere.

Business Section

The President informed members that a menu for the meal at ‘The Fleece’ on Wednesday 18^th December would  be sent out for them to choose what they want to eat and that they should let Sue know there choices.

The Education Director informed members that they should bring along something to read out at the next meeting, eg a poem, a newspaper article. The reading should last no more than four minutes.

The President thanked everyone for their valued contributions to what was a very enjoyable, interesting and fun filled meeting.

                                 The Meeting closed at 9.28

          Date of next meeting Wednesday 11^th December 2019.

Advice

So what are the real reasons for giving advice?

Are they the suggestions which you give someone else 

which you hope will work for your benefit?

Or is that just limited to the less scrupulous

of the salesmen around of double glazing and cars?

But isn’t advice regarded as something that we ask for,

when we already know the answer,

but wish we didn’t?

What about undeniably good advice, 

should we take it?

Like, do something wonderful,

people may imitate you?

Or find out what you don’t do well, 

then don’t do it?

Or nothing risqué, nothing gained?

Maybe like a good speaker, 

should one always try to be sincere, 

even if you don’t always mean it.

But always use tasteful words. 

You may have to eat them.

Should we take heed 

from those that speak quickly 

and always leave things to the last minute. 

Because that way it will only take a minute.

Thankfully there are no horrid, bigoted and generalised 

sexist clichés for me to quote here,

such as: “if you give a woman a minute,

then she will always take three.”

But as Oscar Wilde did say,

“Don’t give a woman advice, 

one should never give a woman 

anything she can’t wear in the evening.”

Did he mean, like wearing a fur coat 

for walking along Morecambe freezing promenade

by the sea and on the beach:-

Someone else has also recommended

that the best advice, they have for Morecambe

is to “keep Britain tidy”, and eat a pigeon;

Yet surely the vegan campaigners

will not approve of any politically incorrect talk 

of increased pigeon consumption, will they?

But do you believe in free speech?

Good, can I just borrow your mobile phone, then please.

By the way, did you buy your mobile phone on the internet. 

If so, did you take advice about buying on line.

Because apparently one of the questionable aspects here  

is that, if something is really worth having, 

then it is not always on eBay.

Wouldn’t you agree 

that there can be some very good advice 

on the internet about health 

and there can also be some utter rubbish on it.

Indeed, there must be something rather special 

about that acupuncture. 

because you never see any sick hedgehogs or porcupines, do you?

Isn’t it wonderful 

how there are such huge numbers of people in the world 

who are now using computers 

instead of having to reference 

encyclopedias and educational text books, etc.

So now being able to access 

key desired information, guidance and advice 

on virtually anything in the world.

Indeed, the ASC is, of course, very much “on line”too.

But what additional advice 

could one try and give the ASC 

to increase it’s profile and membership numbers.

Could it be, to never join a bowling club if you don’t play bowls.

Similarly, do not join a tennis club if you don’t play tennis,

nor never ever belong to a Speakers Club 

if you do not write a brand new speech,

every fortnight, during a season.

Would the ASC be in an improved state,

and have more to offer as a whole,

if it was to adapt accordingly 

and turn itself into an organisation 

which is better able to accommodate 

increased numbers of teenage junior members.

Not wishing to be too ageist

but surely there are significantly high numbers

of teenagers out there

who could individually write a brand new speech or presentation

every single week of the year,

if they were encouraged

and provided with such valuable opportunities to do so.

So how would teenagers cope with the ASC?

Or should we just give them a licenced chaperone 

and a minder for their mind, body and soul.

What about further advice and suggestions

that could be given to the ASC,

for it to consider improving as a whole,

to benefit it’s members of all ages.

As a lot of UK organisations are now expanding 

and becoming global.

But look what happened when the ASC 

attempted to open up and operate in Australia,

with Dame Everidge assisting in the promotion.

As Dame Everidge did then publicly criticise the ASC when she said:

“Hello possums”. Don’t you just love it.

“Mary Whitehouse wanted to join

the international Association of Speakers Clubs.

But she found it too restrictive.

She said, I can’t talk about religion, I can’t talk about sex,

I can’t talk about myself, and I can’t talk about Brexit”.

I would now like to conclude, 

that as with Brexit

and so many other complex things in life,

and in overall and summarised terms,

isn’t it often abso-bally-lutely brilliant 

to seek, the best possible advice when needed.

Along with obtaining supportive, 

tip top second and third opinions

to check for consistency and authenticity. 

You can still be the final judge of it.

Take heed. Never end a speech with a piece of advice.                                   

Unless, and unlike myself, you are an expert.

Mark Rogers

South Lancaster Speakers Club

A Tall Tale - A SLSC Presentation

Cabus Parish Councillor, Louise Jackson, researched and created a history trial around rural Cabus, Lancashire. The free document is available from shops and the Garstang Tourist Office and available for download from the council website.

As member of the South Lancaster Speakers Club, she embellished her work in the SLSC's 'Tall Tale Competition.'

Louise Jackson's Tall Tale - Viking Gold found under the Cabus Cross Fowler Hill Lane Lancashire

South Lancaster Speakers Club offers diverse public speaking education and training opportunities.

Tall Tale Competition Winner Jane Entwistle

The South Lancaster Speakers Club newest member, Jane Entwhistle, won the SLSC's Tall Tale competition on her first speech. Jane will now represent the club in the regional Tall Tale contest.

Jane Entwistle

Jane wanted an assurance from the audience that what she was about to say would not get back to her employer! In her work as a Civil Engineer, she had been sent to Grimsby to carry out a survey on a dangerous building – an Ice House Factory. Regretfully Jane was involved in several incidents one of which involved her falling down a set of stairs and ending up in deep, dark water which she had great difficulty getting out of. Jane described how she was knocked unconscious in another separate incident. Certainly a tale of woe!

Congratulations and well done Jane.

Diane Douglas came second and James Douglas third.

David Knox, the SLSC President, thanked all the members for the high standard of the presentations and for making the evening so enjoyable.

Here are the Minutes 27 March 2019 for the SLSC Tall Tales Competition (On the SLSC Facebook Page)