Echo editor in zoom ‘visit’

CLEARLY in his element with Zoom technology Peter Minshall chaired the last Loughborough Charnwood Speakers Club meeting as president of the club.

With holidays in mind, Peter presented himself in a colourful floral shirt against a background of swaying palm trees and rolling surf lapping golden sands.

The last meeting of the season is an occasion for a formal dinner or a social evening which gives the opportunity to present an after dinner speech and toasts to the club and guests with the relevant replies.

Peter had made sure we had lots of guests attending including those who had been former members who had moved away or had taken a break from the club meetings.

Especially welcome was

Andy Rush, editor of the Loughborough Echo, who gamely took part in our Topics session.

Incoming president Sue York gave the first speech on “Becoming President”.

Sue outlined her plans for the club which she says she “has a passion for”. This was evident in her enthusiasm for its future development and wanted the club to have something for everybody. Their aim is to educate, inform and inspire confidence in public speaking.

“I’m fired up” said Sue. “Let’s have a great year together”.

Kay Light then took us on a holiday she hoped we would all accompany her on. Starting her journey in Gibraltar, describing the main High Street where you can sit over drinks and watch the people go by.

Then going up to the Rock where you will find the Barbary Apes who were wondering where all the tourists had got to with their snacks.

Kay explained that the Rock is a unique place to visit.

Returning to the border crossing she made her way along the Spanish Coast line to Marbella to watch the rich and famous, on to the magnificent Rhonda Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

She advised us that the petrol stations were the best places to eat whilst travelling on to Granada, Seville and Malaga.

Following a short break to recharge our glasses, Eric Baker took on the chair for the Topics session. This was based on what the topics takers had experienced during the Lockdown. What they had missed, how it had changed their lives and what had given most pleasure were some of the subjects.

Past president Arthur Murray, long term treasurer and responsible for all the colourful posters he produces in his constant efforts to publicise the club and recruit new members gave a toast to the guests.

This was followed by a reply on behalf of the guests. Carol Abbott who had been a member of the club for 25 years, only leaving to move to the south coast to be nearer to her daughter and her family, thanked the club for the years she had spent with them, her love of Loughborough and her new life in Southend on Sea.

Although Carol had not joined a speakers club when relocating, she had lost none of her skills in producing an entertaining and informative speech.

Bringing the evening to a close Peter invited the guests who had not had chance to comment due to time constraints to say a few words.

It was good to see familiar faces like Sesha, Russ and Sandra who are missed and the good news that Eva who came here from China with her family then moved to Guildford but still looks after our social media have all become British Citizens.

The new season will start in September with Sue York at its helm.

To keep in touch visit us at www.loughboroughspeakers. org.uk