TMV Summer 2022 by mitchell-armstrong

TOASTMASTERS’VOICE TMV SUMMER 2022 ToastmastersofAssociationNationalThe

7TH MARCH 1935 - 27TH MARCH 2022 Gillian and I had come to know Alex as the husband of Vanessa Saward. In the time that we have been associated with the NAT we only ran into Alex occasionally, as the times when we can socialise are less than in the NAT’s past. We had a good chance to speak to Alex at the Anniversary Dinner organised by Ted Prior at Drapers’ Hall in November 2015. We were seated near to Alex and found him to a very funny and interesting man who was incredibly good company. Alex seldom missed NAT get-togethers and he was seen to thoroughly enjoy the presentation by the Clarins makeup rep. at one AGM at the Millenium Mayfair Hotel. He was diligently trying the face creams with the rest of the guests (the ladies). He could fit in with anyone and anywhere. It was also a real pleasure to see him at the Christmas Lunch last year at Vintners Hall together with Christine and their guests. Sadly it is often after someone has died that we really find out about their personal story, their history and their skills. This was certainly the case with Alex. Gillian and I, as well as Christine Akehurst, were privileged to be able to attend Alex’s funeral on the 20th of April this year at Christchurch, Spitalfields. The order of service contained a history of Alex from Vanessa and is reproduced here. My darling Alex was born in Mancott Royal in Flint, Flintshire in Wales on the 7th of March 1935. He was the only child of Group Captain Norman Cuthbert Saward and his Russian born wife Valeria, who married in Estonia in 1930. His father was Station Commander at Old Sarum Airfield near Salisbury during the Second World War, from January 1941 to October 1943. Alex attended Chafyn Grove Preparatory School on the edge of Salisbury. While there he began to develop an interest 2

IN MEMORIUM.

GEORGE ALEXANDER DOUGLAS SAWARD (ALEX)

in drama and also thoroughly enjoyed playing Onrugby.passing Common Entrance he went on to Westminster School and enjoyed his time there enormously. His academic talents leaned towards the arts and he enjoyed studying English literature and history, especially political history. He also excelled at rowing and eventually became a member of the First Eight competing against other schools on a number of occasions at Henley HeRegatta.was hugely proud to have been one of the senior boys at Westminster School who attended the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in Westminster Abbey on 2nd June 1953. He treasured his copies of The Ceremonial and the Approved Souvenir Programme all his life. At Westminster he developed a great love of theatre and the ballet. On leaving school, his first job was working as general assistant to his Godfather, Peter Ustinov. He then went to work in the theatre as an assistant stage manager/understudy in repertory which included a spell at ‘Q Theatre’ in Chiswick. When out of work he usually managed to get work washing up in a restaurant to keep Settlinggoing. in London, he lodged initially at my aunt’s home in Chelsea and it was there, in the summer of 1955, that we first met. I was fifteen and Alex was twenty. When I was 16 he invited me out and after a two year courtship we became engaged on my Westminster School, 1953 (Alex, 2nd fromAlexleft)on his boat 3

eighteenth birthday. We married on the 21st of February 1959, at Chelsea Old Church, when I was nineteen and Alex not quite twenty four. In the months shortly before our marriage, Commercial Television was starting up. A number of companies came into being and Alex secured a job as a Floor Manager with Granada Television up in Manchester. It came with a salary that allowed us to get married. He enjoyed working for Granada as he was able to work on a number of serious drama productions. He also worked on some of the very first Coronation Street Laterprogrammes.heleftGranada to work for Southern Television in Southampton, eventually returning to London to work in the theatre, his first love, as a Company and Stage Manager. Things didn’t work out and with a young family to support he managed to obtain a temporary contract as a Floor Manager with the BBC. This was soon converted to permanent employment. He worked on a variety of programmes at the BBC and progressed to become Studio Director and later Producer in News and Current Affairs. Some of the many programmes he was involved with were the long-running and highly successful early evening programme Nationwide; Panorama; Tonight; Newsnight; 24 Hours and General Election programmes. During the 1980s he re-discovered his love of sailing. He and a friend bought ‘Spirit’, a rather beautiful boat and they competed in ocean racing events at Cowes and La Rochelle. Later he joined the crew of another friend’s boat as navigator. This included sailing in two notorious Fastnet races which took place in truly dramatic stormy weather. He survived! Much later, in 2011, when we had our flat in Greece, we bought a small power boat (Bavε a). He thoroughly enjoyed being the Captain! Our two younger grandchildren, Esker and Alexis, took a Royal Yachting Association course for beginners and became highly competent crew members, well able to pilot the boat at speed across the bay to the beautiful island of Elafonissos Inopposite.1989he took early retirement from the BBC and after a short spell working for Sky Alex and Vanessa, 21 February 1959 4

News, he took on the job of press officer for Harlequin Football Club, reigniting his love of rugby. He held this role for nearly nine years till the world of rugby changed and clubs became fully professional commercial enterprises. During this time, five years in all, he also prepared all the weekday lunches for the customers at ‘The Alexandra’, a pub in East Finchley, run then by our son Miles and his wife Jacqui. During this period, he also had the joy of spending many happy times with their children, our eldest grandchildren, Samantha and Mark. In 1999 when our younger grandson Esker was born to our son Christopher and his wife Anastasia, Alex’s talents diversified even more! He took on the part-time care of Esker, and later his sister Alexis, from the time each was six months old, to enable Anastasia to return to her work as an Alexarchitect.andIwere married for sixty three years. He was the one and only love of my life and will remains so for ever. Vanessa - April 2022 Reading this, we learned so much. Vanessa’s family also contributed much to the service. Their son Christopher directed the choir and coordinated some truly inspirational music. Their other son Miles delivered a tribute to Alex which was humorous yet showed Alex to be an outstanding man in every respect. We learned for example that in one of the Fastnet races Vanessa mentions above, it was Alex who made the decision to stop racing and go to the assistance of another yacht in distressDrum, owned and crewed by Simon Le Bon. We learned that Christ Church benefitted from Alex’s fundraising and managerial skills when he played a major part in renovation and repurposing parts of the church. We also learned that as well as his many and incredible accomplishments he was a devoted family man and a generous and loyal friend. He also loved a good pint of beer! It does seem strange to say that we enjoyed the service in memory of Alex but it was an amazing occasion. It was a privilege for us to play a part in giving thanks for such a wonderful ‘life well lived’. Alex was a true gentlemen. He will be sadly missed by and within the NAT and on behalf of us all may I close by sending our love and best wishes to Vanessa and her family. Massage from Vanessa Dear All, I am writing to thank you for your kind messages of love and support following the death of my darling husband Alex on 27 March. Your comments and kindness are deeply appreciated and have given me and my family much comfort. Special thanks also to our President, Peter Thompson and his wife and Past President, Christine Akehurst for coming to his funeral in Spitalfields on 20 April. All members of the NAT family are special and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Vanessa Saward 1957Alex 5

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Colleagues and Friends. I am conscious that there are a number of articles by me in this edition of TMV. I am also conscious that this is my last article as the President of this Association. Therefore, whilst hopefully keeping it brief, I will repeat a part of the first article by me as the President nearly two years ago. What can you do for this association? Firstly, please get involved. If everyone does no more than meet together then I personally think that would be a great Ibenefit.would love to have more social events but we need volunteers to come up with ideas and organise events. This is not the sole domain of our longer serving members and anyone’s help would be very welcome. Please let me know what you are willing to do, particularly with the Christmas Lunch next year. All our members have an equal stake in seeing this organisation thrive into the future. I hope that we all have some 6

The TMV is an excellent publication. If you have done anything interesting or outstanding, if you have lessons to learn from a job, or if you have done something new - we would all be interested in hearing about it!

I hope that you continue to enjoy this lovely summer weather, are as busy as you choose to be and, above all, that you keep safe and well and continue to enjoy everything you do in this wonderful profession.Peter ThompsonPresident

I am delighted to hear the news about a possible vaccine for Covid 19 and perhaps that will signal the start of a recovery for the country and particularly for the industry which we all love and in which we all work. So the vaccine programme appears to have been a success and let us hope that Covid is under control as much as it ever will be. Since the relaxation of all covid rules we have seen the weddings and events industry bounce back. If not to pre-covid levels, at least to a good level to allow us to enjoy a busy time ahead.

Whilst I hope that you are all keeping really busy I would finish my last article as your President in a similar way in which I started the first, with a plea. Please, please, please get involved. Whether with ideas, or by doing something positive to promote the standing of the association or the enjoyment of those within it, the NAT needs you all. A small number of members work hard for this association but everyone can play a part; whether this is by leading a Zoom meeting, organising a social event, aiding our digital presence, or simply keeping in touch with colleagues. There will (very) shortly be an opportunity to come forward and possibly take a position on the Executive Committee thus having a hand in deciding the future direction of the NAT. I urge you all to consider doing this as we desperately need willing members to take us forward.

small idea about how this organisation could become better. Please let the Executive Committee know about it and let’s see what we can do between us.

There are some exciting times ahead so let’s enjoy them together.

18 - Following in Ggrandfather’s Footsteps - Ross Sullivan 32 - Too Young to be a Toastmaster? - Rory Windass 08 ContentsTMV

EditorContentintroduction and miscellaneous Christmas Lunch Information - Tom Reddy What Was The Best Job You Ever Officiated at? - Tony Forward What Fees Are You Charging? - Paul Deacon The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - West End Style - Peter Thompson A Brush with Greatness - Michael Myers Poem - ‘I Dont’t Want to Live to 100’ - Ann Williams Exactement où est ce marriage - Peter Thompson Message from the President The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee What a Day! - Peter Thompson 30 - What a Day! - Peter Thompson Sir Jonathan Van-Tam - Tom Reddy Following in Grandfather’s Footsteps - Ross Sullivan 09 24222016121008 28261406 30 17 32 Too Young to be a Toastmaster? - Rory Windass 18

Wilkins Micawber Dates for the diary Annual General Meeting Sunday 30th October 2022 Executive Committee Meeting Monday 12th September 2022 Christmas Lunch Monday 12th December 2022 Welcome to the Summer edition of the TMV. Thank you to those who have contributed to this issue. We welcome two new members to the association, Rory and Ross and I thank them both for their contributions and I recommend you read their articles, Following in Grandfather’s Footsteps and Too Young to be a Toastmaster? If you have any outstanding suppliers in the wedding industry that you would like to highlight, we would love to hear about them. If you have any thoughts about what you would like to see in the TMV please contact me at richard@ cambridgetoastmaster.com with your suggestions. Once again, thank you all contributors to the Summer TMV. Happy reading! Richard MitchellEditor 10

The NAT Fellowship Assessment Board (FAB) this year comprises Past President Paul Deacon, Life Vice-President Barry Dorn and Vice President Tom Reddy. The criteria for Fellowship are that:

You

· The Member must have served at least 3 years as a full member of the be able to demonstrate a very high level of professional ability A Fellow must have sufficient practical toastmaster experience, professionalism and confidence to accept any engagement across the whole spectrum of our activity, anywhere, at any time, in front of anyone, possibly at short notice. candidates are written to annually, if you would like to be considered: Advise the Secretary that you would like to apply You will receive a questionnaire for completion and return The FAB will consider your reply and will invite suitable candidates for an who satisfy the FAB at interview will be recommended to the Executive Committee for promotion and will then be advised of the outcome of that recommendation Paul Deacon

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THE NAT 100 CLUB – BE IN IT TO WIN IT!

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The NAT 100 Club has been running now for several years and provides some extra income for the NAT whilst rewarding the Subscribers with the chance to win a monthly prize of £20.00. addition hold 3 extra draws in December, usually at the NAT Christmas Luncheon.These3prizes are £25, £50 and £100.

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Preparations for this year’s NAT Christmas Luncheon are well on their way. It will again be held at the beautiful Vintners’ Hall, London, starting at 12:15 pm with a bubbly reception. We should be finished by 3:00 pm (timings for your travel arrangements). I am currently trying to set up a tour of the Hall for those who would like to look around the building and it’s treasures. This year we have decided to publicise the event well in advance to give you all the opportunity to plan and put the date in your diary. As many of you will know, this is the highlight of the NAT Calendar and always assures that the holiday period starts with a “Bang”! The Charity being supported at this year’s Christmas Luncheon is the British Epilepsy Association. Why have I chosen this Charity? My niece, Kirsty-Louise and Sue’s cousin Victoria, both suffer from the condition and have been supported by the Charity for many years. If you wish to find out more, please visit: https://epilepsy.org. Iuk.am also hoping that some of you may be able to help source prizes for our raffle at the Christmas Luncheon. I have a letter of authorisation from Epilepsy Action should you need this, but all prizes will be gratefully received. We will be enjoying a traditional Christmas Dinner with half a bottle of wine per person, whilst listening to the fabulous voice of Alice Black who will play for us through the reception and during our meal. She will then lead us into Christmas carols, finishing off with our now notorious and traditional “Twelve Days of Christmas” (NAT Version!). If you’d like a taster beforehand, here is Alice’s website: https://aliceblackmusic.com Vintners’ Hall is restricted to 120 people so booking early is essential to guarantee your place(s). This is a fabulous opportunity for new members, in particular, to socialise and network with other members of the NAT. Please don’t miss this opportunity – Sue and I would love to see you there. Booking forms are available from me on request at: thomasthetoastmaster@virginmedia.com or 07970 049264. All booking information is on the attached flyer. Hope you are all keeping well and busy, and looking forward to seeing you in person on the 12th December. Best wishes Tom Vice-President,Reddy NAT 22 August 2022 12

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the NAT

Christmas

at Vintners’ Hall December 2021 The National Association of Toastmasters Christmas Lunch 2022 12th December 2022, 12:15pm for 12:45 start “Bubbly” Reception, 3 course Festive lunch (Dietary requirements catered for), ½ bottle of wine per person, Tea / Coffee, Music & Carols Vintners Hall, London £80 pp (£10 deposit) RSVP Tom Reddy thomasthetoastmaster@virginmedia.com Tel: 01623 882127 / 07970049264 13

Tel:PeterPresident:Thompson01634841375Email:toastmasterpeter@btinternet.com 73 St Williams KentRochesterWayME12NY13June2022 The Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen Buckingham Palace London SW1A 1AA Dear Sir, I, together with the Members of The National Association of Toastmasters, have the honour to humbly send our Loyal Greetings to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her 70th Jubilee Celebrations to be held over the Bank Holidays of 2nd and 3rd June 2022 In sending greetings may we respectfully acknowledge, with sincere admiration and gratitude, Her Majesty's loyal, dedicated and outstanding service to the Nation and to the Commonwealth during the 70 years of her reign. We have the honour to remain, Sir, Her Majesty’s most humble and obedient HonoraryMichaelYoursservants,faithfully,MyersSecretary, The National Association of Toastmasters Sent on behalf of the President and all the members of The National Association of Toastmasters National Association of Toastmasters The Queen’s Platinum 14

Platinum Jubilee

Peter Sumner

During an event for the Jubilee celebrations, I became involved in discussion with a senior politician in Alderney, part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. He was insistent that the Loyal Toast should contain a reference to Her Majesty also being Duke of Normandy. It wasn’t how I remembered Mr. Deacon explaining matters to me in 2018 so I decided to check with Sir Edward Young at the Interestingly,Palace. the reply came from the Palace of Holyroodhouse and is attached opposite.

A great answer sociable afternoon was then enjoyed by one andRichardall Heywood

Following the WhatsApp request regarding the Jubilee weekend, nothing over-dramatic to report but I was working at a wedding on the Friday, and I asked the Bride and Bridegroom if they would like to join their guests in a toast to the Queen, and they agreed. Just before the wedding breakfast and the welcome speech from the bride’s father, I announced that this was not the only celebration taking place and proposed the Loyal Toast which was very warmly greeted. Michael Myers

On Friday 3rd June, the residents of Palmers Road on the Isle of Wight put up gazebos and set out their tea parties on their front lawns. At 4.30pm a Loyal Toast was proposed by PP Richard Heywood who was delighted that after two and a half years his uniform still fitted!

What fees are you charging? A look at the official guidance issue issued about the Retail Price Index shows that for each £1,000 you were charging in 2020 you should be charging about £1,150 in 2024. In other words, if you don’t increase your fees you are anticipated to earn about 13% less by the end of 2024. Here’s the chart: 2020 £1000 2021 £1024.92 2022 £1091.13 2023 £1123.86 2024 £1157.58 That excludes any increase you might want to include by virtue of your increased experience or any other factor you use to calculate your fees. Looking at another factor, McDonald’s recently announced that it was increasing the price of a cheeseburger for the first time in 14 years. It has risen by 20 per cent, from 99p to £1.19, as the soaring cost of food and energy leaves even the restaurant giant “feeling the impact of rising inflation”. Paul Deacon 16

What a lovely man! He had time for everybody in the room, was funny and unassuming and very informative. He held the audience in the palm of his hand, although he was speaking about Covid statistics, normally guaranteed to put everyone to sleep! I really don’t know what there is about some speakers but not many would have been able to deliver this dry subject. We found out a little more about him ie that Sir Jonathan is an Honorary Colonel in the Army Reserves (Army Cadets), which he has been a member of since his childhood, he lives in Boston, Lincolnshire and hates the commute to London, and has just taken up a new job at Nottingham University, amongst a dozen other academic activities. Possibly one of the most impressive speakers I have ever heard. If you get the opportunity to listen to “JVT”, don’t miss it!

Your Stand Out Personality

A few weeks ago, Richard our TMV Editor, asked us all the question: who during your career as a Toastmaster is the most stand out personality? Well, eight weeks ago, I had the pleasure of acting as Toastmaster to the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, a function I have covered for a good few years. They always have excellent speakers and on the occasion, some thousand plus guests attend, all from the Midlands business community. This year’s key note speaker was Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam who served as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England. Some of you may remember him standing alongside our Prime Minister during the interminable daily Covid briefings.

Tom Vice-PresidentReddy Sir Jonathan Van-Tam

As I got older, and so did my grandmother with her degenerative vision, I would go and pick grandad up in the City every week for a bit of pocket money. I always made sure I arrived early and dressed smart, so I could go into the venues to meet him. He would always introduce me to the most interesting people in the most amazing venues and this really did rubber stamp the idea in my head that I would love to be a Toastmaster one day. Bernie was honoured to receive an MBE in 1990 for his services to the industry and we sadly lost him in 2017, aged 96. I promised him I would become a toastmaster one day and would make him proud. I have been fortunate enough to be best man on a few occasions, and the feedback I received from those speeches gave me a lot of confidence in public speaking. I was lucky enough to get married in London in late 2019, just before Covid, and again, I loved being up there on stage public speaking. I even did my own rendition of Elton John’s ‘ your song’ which got a great laugh. I knew it was time for me to begin the process of becoming a toastmaster. I had already informally helped friends out, but I had just turned 40, and actually immediately regretted not starting sooner. I have worked in events myself since 2006. My brother and I have run all sorts of events over the years including club nights, dinner and dances, jazz nights, comedy nights, boat parties and Q&A’s, and

I first became aware of ‘Toastmasters’ at a fairly young age. This was largely due to the fact that my Grandad was Ben ‘ Bernie ‘ Sullivan, who was a much loved and respected master of ceremonies for over 40 years. The organisation he was a part of would host Christmas parties every year at fantastic venues across London, such as the Grosvenor House and the Mansion House. They were always lavish affairs and all the family were invited. It was at these events I would meet and chat to colleagues of my grandad’s and ask them a hundred and one questions about the role, and it was also around this time where the seed was planted in my head, that I would love to take it up one day. It was in the city where grandad really made his mark, where he was even referred to as ‘ Mr City ‘ due to the fact he was so well known and regarded there. They organised an 80th birthday party for him at the Crypt in the Guildhall, which was an amazing night, that I remember fondly. It wasn’t just the city jobs either. I was lucky enough to see ‘Bernie’ work at weddings, but also he was privileged to be the Master of Ceremonies for the World Boxing Association in the 1980’s, with the highlight being the Heavyweight Championship of the World fight between Frank Bruno and Tim Witherspoon at Wembley Stadium. Unfortunately, I was too young to witness this, but we have a big signed picture at home with the two fighters and his name underneath it, and we are so proud of him as a family. If I can achieve half of what he did in his career, I would be

Frankhappy.Bruno

v Tim Witherspoon - Heavey Weight Championship of the World

Followingfootsteps

Following in footstepsGrandfather’s Bernie Sullivan

I’m a big ‘ foodie ‘ and I am a huge fan of seeking out the best restaurants and organising the trips entirely based around the restaurants. In saying that, we are lucky to be blessed with some of the best and most diverse restaurants in the world in London, and I’m often out and about with my wife trying out the latest recommendation’s. Aside from this though I am just very much looking forward to getting as much experience as possible as a toastmaster, working at wonderful venues around the country as well as hopefully making some good friends along the way. Here is hoping this is the beginning of a 40+ year toastmaster career, just like my grandad.

I think this will set me in good stead for the role of the toastmaster as there are obviously lots of cross overs. I’ve also worked for a law firm in the city since Outside2009.of work I’m very sporty and I’m also a qualified personal trainer. My main loves are football (big Chelsea fan), golf and squash where I try to play as much as I can. I also have a real passion for travel and have visited many countries in all four corners of the globe, including a year spent in Australia and New Zealand. I would love to get the opportunity in the future to travel overseas in this line of work, as I know some do, showcasing our very British tradition.

Ross Sullivan

My suggestion was that they were playing as guests arrived so that the party was under way from the beginning. I also suggested that their last set should be where we really wanted the greatest audience participation and could possibly conclude with ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. Two problems here - the band did not know the tune and there were no words. Cue hotel to print words and the band learned a new tune during their breaks!

The food was to be a grand barbecue and whatever time guests arrived they would be accommodated for the three planned courses - a significant challenge for the catering team! Part of my role was to coordinate tables going up to the buffet, which was completely restocked after each table.

Having been initially a little wary of travelling by train on the Spring Bank Holiday and the official day of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, I found that trains were busy but there was a much more pleasant atmosphere than on normal commuting days. London was filled with groups of happy smiling people just eager to have a lovely time with flags hats, waistcoats and dresses bearing Union Jacks in abundance.

After the Loyal Toast the band started their last set and it was a huge hit with guests singing, waving and dancing. (It is shame TMV cannot include video).

The staff also enjoyed a lovely afternoon that was special and different.

I was quite relieved when virtually all the guests arrived relatively early and I greeted them and directed them towards the Champagne Bar, the Pimms Bar and the Cocktail Bar. After a brief welcome address by me, the lunch started and the food was fantastic.

I asked the Hotel team if there was to be a Loyal Toast in view of the occasion. That had not really been considered but the reply was ‘can you do it’. They also agreed to supply champagne for everyone.

Those attending started off as strangers and by the end of lunch had formed friendships with those on their tables and many went to the hotel bar afterwards in groups to continue the celebration.

I arrived at the hotel as the courtyard was being set up. This quickly led to me honing my helium balloon inflation skills. I was told that this was a lunch with a street party theme. Approximately 60 guests were to attend but they may arrive at any time between 12 noon and 4 pm. There was no designated start time for the food. The pre-arranged table plan was quickly scrapped so that the tables could be filled as guests arrived. Flexibility was certainly in order there!

The music for the lunch was to be provided by a fabulous trio called ‘The Wandering Hands’, two guitarists and a sax player. I had been advised on the phone earlier that the hotel wanted to create a party / last night of the proms feel to the event. The band had not been briefed when to play, but that when they were off, a juggler would be performing.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Gillian and I were gaily planning what we were going to do to celebrate the Queen’s incredible Platinum Jubilee and were dusting off our bunting and polishing the Weber. That is until I received an email on the 25th of May from a prominent Mayfair hotel asking if I would be free to assist with a Street Party style Jubilee Celebration on the 2nd and 3rd of June. I replied that I would be delighted to assist, agreed a fee, and waited to receive a detailed brief. As is often the case it was necessary to push for these and I was advised that my contact would be in Frankfurt until the day of the event. I spoke to the Head of Marketing but knew that I would have to turn up and ‘wing it’ a little bit on the day.

Jubilee - West End Style.

It is always great when clients and guests say how well an event has gone and how much they have enjoyed themselves. One question we could perhaps ask when reflecting on an event is ‘Did my contribution make a difference’. I can most certainly say that it did on this occasion and it is one which will be a highlight for me for some time to come Peter Thompson

Our Editor has posed this topic for TMV: “The one person I’m glad I met……who, where, why, how?” I guess many of you have met so many famous people in your capacity as Toastmasters, but this meeting of mine came some time ago, in fact nearly 50 years ago. It was 4th December 1974 and I was working for British Airways in their offices at Hatton Cross on the perimeter of Heathrow. A good friend of mine was working in the then First Class suite, the Monarch Lounge in Terminal Three. No Terminals 4 and 5 then and the Monarch lounge itself was not airside, that is it was before check-in, so publicly accessible. My friend called me and said “Get over here quick. I’ve got Muhammad Ali in the lounge”. I dropped whatever I was doing and hared over to the Terminal, parked the car, and raced up to the lounge. No security in those days so I asked for my friend at the desk, showed my ID and went straight in. No problem picking out he great man who was sitting quietly with his retinue jumping about all around him. I was introduced, got the obligatory signed photo, and kept my distance. After a while most of his group went away and he was sitting on his own looking quite tense, certainly nothing like his public pre-fight persona.

A Brush with 22

I suddenly remembered reading that he didn’t much like flying so I went up to him and said something like “You’re not looking forward to this are you?”. He looked up from the floor, looked straight up at me and just replied “Last week 60 went up, 60 came down” referencing a 747 crash in Nairobi the previous week. I can’t remember how I replied but just then his retinue returned, and he got up to go through to Departures. I walked with the group a little way and I do recall the whole terminal stopping whatever they were doing to look at him. Not a long time in the company of greatness, but long enough. Michael Myers

with Greatness! 23

I don’t want to live to a 100 2022 – oh how the years do fly by I cannot believe that I’ll achieve 90 on the 8th of July I don’t want to live to a 100 92 or 3 may appeal, But Bryn would have laughed And said Ann don’t be daft, You’re only as young as you feel. I don’t want to live to a 100 Recalling tales of toastmaster high jinks All those stories so bold That Bryn often told Would be an x-rated novel, methinks I don’t want to live to a 100 With both ears and both eyes in decline All those hospital trips for my new knees and hips Gosh will I get past 89? I don’t want to live to a 100 Unless I could have just one wish I’d have long curly hair And fine clothes I would wear And be a long-legged beautiful dish I don’t want to live to a 100 Even though I’m doing just fine As I write from Belle France With Warnings in advance That I may send you love, aged 99 I don’t want to live to a 100 Will I make 92? Wait and see I’ve some money in my pocket For a heaven bound rocket Where Bryn is waiting for me I don’t want to live to a 100 With the world in the mess that it’s in No more heartache and fears For I’ve lived my best years With the love of my life, darling Bryn By Ann Williams 24

Sally, Bryn and Ann 25

I ran to the kiosk at the front of the line and explained my predicament and the lady said she would sort me out when I got to the kiosk. I got back into my car and waited in the queue as time appeared to stand still. After what seemed an age, I arrived at the kiosk in my car and identified myself as the idiot who had got lost and did not want to go to France. She said that it was a fairly common mistake and handed me a get out of jail free card and gave me directions out of the port. I could have kissed her!

Peter

ExactementThompsonoù 26

Panic by this time had set in with a vengeance. I was certainly sweating far more than the warmish weather warranted.

Despite having been in this business for some time now, I recently experienced the worst panic I have known for many years. One Friday in June I was driving to a wedding at Westenhanger Castle. It was a lovely summer day and I was in our new VW Tiguan (Having moved from a car which I step down from rather one from which I struggle to climb out of, often accompanied by groaning!). I have worked at Westenhanger Castle before and was sure that I knew the best way to go. However, I thought that it would be a good to use the new car’s navigating system just to see how I got on. I was fully prepared, feeling carefree and dutifully following the directions, which did seem a little strange to me, when I received a phone call from Ted Prior. We were enjoying a lovely chat when the road just ended. What had previously been a through road was now permanently blocked and I clearly needed to be other side of the blockage. I could not use the navigator for help as it would just direct me back to where I was. I said to Ted that I must go so that I could concentrate. Simple I thought, as I tried to retrace my route. Using my sense of direction and logic, and keeping half an eye on the navigator, I thought that I would quickly sort out this little hiccup. Until that is, I found myself in the queue for the toll booths for the Eurotunnel to France. I was about eight cars back from the booth and there was absolutely no chance of turning round into many lines of opposing traffic. It was at that stage I thought surely I will not have to go to France, closely followed by what will this cost me?

On reflection I was just delighted that I always make sure that I am very early for every engagement and that ethos certainly paid off.

As our experience in the world of the toastmaster increases we hope that this will happen far less frequently in our working life.

Occasionally in life things happen which bring us up short and induce a state of total panic!

It’s hard to describe the relief I felt when I arrived at Westenhanger Castle, checked everything for the reception, changed and headed off for the wedding service in the church in Hythe without further incident. The rest of the day went swimmingly and the couple and their family were delighted with the day.

Castle 27

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marriageWesterhanger

“What was the best job A toastmaster is sometimes asked “What was the best job you ever officiated at?” During my twenty years as a professional toastmaster, there are two events that stand out among the Theothers.first was the official opening of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dallas, Texas. The late Neil Pannel, some years before, had officiated at the official opening of another Ritz Carlton on the island of Curacao in the Caribbean. The General Manager at that hotel had moved on to Dallas to oversee the building of the new hotel there. When the official opening was being planned, he telephoned Neil to offer him the job. Neil had retired by this time and kindly recommended Ritzme. Carlton HQ sent me an airline ticket and I flew to Fort Worth where I was picked up by a limousine and driven to the hotel where I was introduced to the general manager. This was a Monday afternoon. There were no guests staying there and I was given a suite on the eighth floor. It had panoramic views over the city of Dallas. I was invited to a banquet in the hotel that evening. Many dignitaries and celebrities from the area had been invited to a tasting. The chef was as famous there as Gordon Ramsay is here. It was a sumptuous meal of several courses On the following evening I was invited to join a staff party where entertainment was provided by the cheer-leader girls of the of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. The following day was rehearsal day in the morning and a tour of Dallas in the afternoon followed by a swim in the hotel pool. The big day arrived The opening ceremony was to commence at 11am with five speeches, a blessing and then the cutting of the tape at the entrance. Having taken part in the rehearsal, I knew exactly what would happen. A large canvas awning was erected at the front of the building and 100 seats moved in together with several cooling fans. It was a scorching day. Guests started to arrive and were shown to their seats. The front door of the hotel was under cover with stone columns supporting the roof above. A dais with a microphone had been placed there, in the shade, facing the audience. There were three steps up to it. At the appropriate time, I introduced the International President of the Ritz-Carlton hotel group. After his speech, I introduced the President of the American/ Caribbean collection of Ritz-Carltons. Next was the chef who had prepared the dinner two days before. Next was the General Manager. While he was speaking, a member of his staff handed him an email. The Mayor of Dallas was due to be the next speaker and the email was to say that he was unable to attend but his speech was included. He was quite happy for someone else to read his speech. It was given to me and I was asked to deliver it. I climbed onto the dais and read the speech to tumultuous applause. I was followed by a clergyman who gave a blessing. My next task was to introduce a corps of US Marines who performed several minutes of rifle drill, not as we know it, but moving into various marching positions while throwing their rifles at each other. It was very skilful and entertaining. Now for the grand finale. I nodded to the appropriate staff member who nodded to another then to one outside the grounds. It was all to signal the next bit of razmataz. Clipclopping along the road and into the grounds and pulling up in front of the audience was a genuine Wells Fargo stagecoach. When it pulled up, I was supposed to introduce the person who would get out. As he alighted to my introduction, my voice was drowned out by the applause. Everyone recognised America’s most famous footballer (whose name meant nothing to me). I had been given the words to read as follows. “The General Manager will now hand the key to 28

The General Manager told me that I was welcome to stay at this luxury hotel for as long as I wished and could return at any time in the future. Unfortunately, I had a wedding in London at the weekend and could not take him up on his offer and I have been unable to return since.

job you ever officiated at?”

the hotel to the driver who will take it out into the prairie and bury it in the sand, a gesture to prove that the Ritz-Carlton will never close.”

As the stagecoach drove off, the speechmakers gathered at the front door. A ribbon was strung across the door and each was given a pair of scissors and at my command, the ribbon was sliced and the doors thrown open. I let the group through. I knew that we would encounter what was listed as a ‘wall of applause’ but I did not know what to expect. In fact the wall on either side of the route through the hotel was lined with every member of the hotel staff, all 300-odd of them in their various uniforms, all clapping as the VIPs and all the guests passed through to the meeting room adjacent to the dining room. Although it was not included in my script, I assembled the VIPs into a receiving line and announced every guest. A number of guests commented on how impressed they were with my performance and during the dinner, several asked me to join them at their table and talk about my role in the UK.

The second most outstanding job will have to wait for another time, but just to whet your appetite, I can tell you that it was at Buckingham Palace. Tony Forward 29

- Greet guests and coordinate cocktails, meal, dancing etc at 2 Temple Place.

The ‘simple’ overview of the day was - Meet guests and tell them where the wedding will be when they are on a boat. -Disembark at Westminster Pier and lead them all into the Palace of Westminster for the ceremony. - Coordinate photos before loading them onto 2 London buses for a tour around London whilst I hot foot it to check the reception venue at 2 Temple Place.

Whilst the couple, James and Blaeke, had a few photos in the garden inside Parliament, it was time to get everyone moving again.

Phase Arrival3.at Westminster.

Answer ‘Of course’ - Problem- where do I park and change into my uniform. I cannot park at the reception venue due to parking time limits and the venue does not open until 2pm. I therefore parked at a The Old Royal Naval College and caught a boat to North Greenwich Pier to start work. I was told the CEO and Head of Catering for the Clipper Company were guests and would assist when I get to the pier. As well as about 80 guests boarding the Clipper there were newspapers to give out, check snacks and drinks were aboard, collect personal named invitations for the ceremony to give out on the way and deal with any queries from anyone who would not be there in time as the boat will not be late leaving. There were a few guests who rang me and had to be told to go to the Palace of Westminster and our arrival time. A recce at Parliament had showed that it takes some time to get through security so these guests, who included the CEO, were advised to wait outside so that we could all go through together and so that I could give them their personal invitations.

What a

After collecting any leftover newspapers and picking up invitations for those meeting us at Parliament out short walk started. Despite having to get through crowds of tourists and cross busy roads we arrived at the security entrance to find that none of the guests were waiting! An enquiry with the security team revealed that they were now waiting inside - somewhere!

Phase 4 Lead guests to the two buses which will be waiting in Parliament Square.

Phase ‘Peter,1we are not telling our guests where our wedding is going to be. Can you meet them at North Greenwich Pier, check them off and get them onto a Thames Clipper when they will be told where they are going’

Phase 2 Travel to Westminster Pier. Once under way the newspapers were distributed, which were about the couple and the plans for the wedding. As well as the boat safety announcements, I let everyone know where we were going, asked them to stay together and follow me when we got off and that they would need to receive the invitations from me to get into Parliament before we get there. That took the whole of the journey time. Whilst they relaxed and had pastries, hot drinks and a relaxing cruise, it took all of my time to hand everything out.

I am sure that we all say to couples that every wedding is unique and special and that there are no rules. Two lovely young men who got married in June this year took that ethos to the limit! After three years planning, two previous postponements due to Covid, and venue changes, the day went like this.

I managed to collect the outstanding guests and got them all to the Members Dining Room for the Ceremony without losing anyone. After the pre-ceremony announcements and introducing the registrar I had a few minutes of calm.

After the Ceremony there was a very short time for the arrangement of group photos but thankfully the photographer, Ian Gomes, is both quick and very good.

Of the 100 or so guests about 70 had got onto the first bus so that when the second bus arrived the remaining 30% of the guests had 50% of the ample champagne provision. When they later got off they were not at all sorry. An unexpected extra duty. The night before one of the couple had asked if I would kindly assist the wedding gopher to take two flower arrangements to the reception venue from Parliament. Answer - ‘Of Course’. When the buses left this meant that the young lady gopher and I had to go through security again and pick up two huge glass vases with enormous flower displays in. We struggled with them out onto the pavement to hail a cab and quickly headed off. The gopher then said ‘I also need to pick up a number of suitcases from a couple of hotels, perhaps we can do that on the way’. A very discrete answer was no, because I had been made aware of an event which might potentially affect traffic and I could not afford to be late. Phase 5. The reception venue. Arrival in time and delivery of flowers complete, liaison with venue, musicians, AV team, caterers etc complete, there was a short time to wait for the buses outside (and admire the 100’s of fresh oysters being shucked for the guests).

The photographer Ian and I then became aware of the event I had heard about passing almost right outside. This was the ‘Naked Bike Ride’. That is certainly not something one sees every day at a wedding so the photographer and I took a few photos of the occasion, which was a bit of a ‘you will never guess what happened to me at work today’ occasion. I am still not entirely certain of the reason for the bike ride and my abiding observation is ‘Why are so many riding Boris Bikes and I hope that they washed them

Whenafterwards’thebuses

There were now in the order of 100 guests who had to be put onto 2 London Buses for their tour as well as loading champagne and cakes for the journey. This would have been relatively easy had the two buses been waiting as arranged. It is also Murphy’s Law that I had the telephone number of one bus driver and only the company name for the other. The one actually there would be the one whose driver I had the phone number for. In the meantime the champagne and food was divided into two equal piles. I managed to speak to the missing bus company and was informed that the second bus was parked somewhere close. I hope that I was calm and polite when I said words to the effect that could the driver get his bottom, and his bus, to us like rocket socks!

In hindsight I suspect ‘Ahoy shipmates’ may not have been the best introduction on the Clipper earlier in the Afterdaya very full and eventful day, I decided to end as the day started so took a clipper from Embankment Pier back to Greenwich to get back to my car. This gave me time to relax in the cool evening and reflect on an unusual but very fulfilling wedding day (despite drawing some odd looks from other passenger for the old guy in the red coat!)

Peter Thompson

a Day! 31

A particular requirement which gave pause for thought was that the couple, James and Blaeke, were particularly keen that any announcements were made only with inclusive language so ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ did not feature at any time during the day.

arrived and guests made their way into 2 Temple Place the rest of the day became rather more straightforward with everyone in the same place for the rest of the evening. The drinks reception, music, meal, speeches, cake cutting (with guests lining the stairs and balcony) and opening dance proceeded without a hitch.

It’s funny, isn’t it, reflecting on the first thing someone said to me when I told them I’m thinking about becoming a toastmaster. “You’re too young!” - “No one will listen to you!” Looking over at my shiny new medallion, this amuses me, but at least they knew what a toastmaster is - a rarity, I’ve found. Now, they’re probably not entirely wrong, I’ve seen toastmasters at work and have never known one to be the definition of “young” - no offense intended to fellow TMV readers - although the question whether the stereotype of the toastmasters and masters of ceremonies roles being for older people is a barrier to some people having one at their event, in an ever modernising world, must be asked.

Too Young to be

When I told Howard and Ross that story at our first meeting in September 2021, Howard laughed - a very short laugh - before asking me, “Do you know how old I was when I became a toastmaster?” I replied, “My age, 24?” Howard said, “No, 19”, before telling us his fascinating story about his father and grandfather. I recently watched Four Weddings and a Funeral (again). Each time you re-watch a good film you notice something new that you didn’t pick up on last time. Like riding in a car before learning to drive, you don’t pay much attention to anything the driver does. Once you’ve passed your driving test, you can’t leave that knowledge behind, so when you drive off road, you’re forever checking your mirrors when you don’t actually need to. So, when I go to an event where a toastmaster is working, or indeed watch a ‘90s rom-com featuring four weddings, one of which clearly shows Donald Weedon working and makes a great point of using footage of the call to dinner, I notice more and more about what they’re doing and what their role is in that setting. Admittedly, it was a huge traditional English wedding with an awful lot of guests. However, I also picked up on the fact that not all of the weddings in the film had toastmasters, and probably could have done with one upon reflection. One was in Scotlandmaybe they have their own way of doing things - and the other only got as far as the first “I do”, but the first wedding could really have done with a toastmaster. Why didn’t they have a toastmaster? Is it a fashion thing? If you look at the class of the characters as wedding guests in the film you’ll notice a healthy mix of social groups who knew each other from university. So, why was a toastmaster used in the second wedding and not the first? Was it Bernard’s (David Haig) lemon-sucking dad being ‘upper crust’, thinking he’s got to do the ‘right thing’? Or the couple in the first wedding being an example of a modern, progressive, DIY-kind-of couple? Before I go off on a complete tangent and inadvertently write a film review, I’ll try and bring back the point I made at the start - stereotypes. What I’ve just been reflecting on is the ability for the human mind to stray from the beaten track into unknown, or unfamiliar, territory. From this, I have deduced that Bernard’s dad is a tad pretentious, all from a couple of camera shots during Rowan Atkinson’s infamous priest scene, filmed in the beautiful Old Royal Naval College Chapel (“the Father, Son and Holy Spigot... I mean Spirit”) and that the tipsy nature of Laura (Sara Crowe) the first bride in the film and the calm, collected, and slightly worried nature of her new husband, Angus (Timothy Walker), shows them to be tolerant and open minded people. Perhaps that’s what Richard Curtis wanted us to think. Perhaps not. So perhaps “what’s that young man in a red tailcoat ordering

everyone around for?” is an unhealthy attitude to take, instead we should be inquisitive and interested in why and how. Why is there a younger person at the helm, doing a toastmaster’s job? It leaves me wondering if society has lost something, why certain things aren’t like they used to be. Why is toastmastering reserved as a nice thing to do when one retires? Without much factual evidence to hand, I don’t think I can answer that question here, so I’m reminded of something else Howard told me at our mock exam. When the examiners ask you, “Why do you want to be a toastmaster?” you reply, “Because I want to.” And how right Howard was on that one, because why not? As Paul taught me when discussing wedding fairs and how to answer, “Why should we have a toastmaster at our wedding?” The answer should always be, “Why not?” Looking at the facts then, I have already learnt a lot, despite not yet having much hands-on experience of the profession. I have enjoyed shadowing Howard, Paul and Michael at events and am about half way through Debrett’s. I really do consider myself lucky to be in the position I am, possibly the youngest (formally qualified) toastmaster in the UK, maybe even the world, which is something - judging by what I’ve been talking about - I hope I don’t have the pleasure of being forever. One thing I really have realised during my associate training is the appreciation of upholding standards and order, something an organised and knowledgeable toastmaster will always be thinking about. From my experience so far, event organisers don’t always know what order to put things in or who to introduce first - how can they be expected to? I’ve learnt that the toastmaster is that ‘fountain of knowledge’ able to advise and direct an event appropriately and always thinking on our feet. After all it would be unprofessional, unthinkable, to be otherwise and say, “Sorry, I don’t know”, or “I’ve run out of ideas”. As I mentioned earlier, I have a feeling society has lost its grip and has tried to create new ‘norms’ by forgetting the ones already invented, failing to realise they’re actually the same. Thus, being able to be a point of reference at events, setting a good example of how things should traditionally be done, is a privilege, not a job. My favourite bit of training was the receiving line excercise Paul gave us, running in circles at the Tramshed in Woolwich, reading out names and titles on cards. That evening was the first time I tried a tailcoat on, and that reminds me of what Sheila told us at the exam, “It’s not you they’re looking at, it’s the coat!” Wearing it changes you, it brings a sense of pride and example, which draws a different feeling of ability and confidence that I’ve only found on stage or behind a microphone. Being a toastmaster is like being a performer, practice until you can’t get it wrong and you’ll be fine and you’ll be helping create an environment where people are whisked away from the everyday. To answer the question I posed at the start: Do I think that stereotypes have created a golden age of toastmaster work? No. Nor do I believe any major portion of society has forgotten what one is. But I do think there is an unhealthy attitude in some people who regard anyone younger than them as less able, or subordinate. I hope for my sake, for any young toastmasters and for the whole profession, that our careers are as successful, prosperous and long as any toastmaster. I have enjoyed introducing young people to things like music and model aviation before and hope to do the same with toastmastering since, after all, we all have to start and end somewhere and I am thoroughly excited to be starting where I am now. Rory Windass

be a Toastmaster?

1. So, weddings and events are now in full flow. We are looking for your articles and photos on anything that you have done over the summer period. All contributions to be sent to richard@cambridgetoastmaster.com The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the NAT. How to be a part of theWinter edition of the TMV