Interesting speeches strike a chord

Vice-president Tony Dinwoodie opened the latest meeting of East Kilbride Speakers’ Club with a warm welcome to David Webster who took the chair to conduct the evening’s proceedings.

The first speech on the programme struck a chord with many in the audience as Alex Rintoul skilfully employed wry humour and a self-deprecating tone in telling how his diminutive stature led to the crises of confidence he faced in playing games with his childhood friends through to later years at the Glasgow dance halls as he tried to impress young ladies; all whom were much taller than he was.

Drawing on her career as a primary school teacher, Isobel Dunlop then delivered a cheery speech complete with bold gestures as she told of the exasperations she and her colleagues experienced in giving dancing lessons to 11-year-olds in preparation for their first school Christmas dance.

Starting with the children’s unwillingness to even hold hands, Isobel took her listeners in vivid fashion through the trials and tribulations of each stage of their persuasion and coaching that culminated in a successful occasion enjoyed by all.

Ewan McRobert followed with a speech that was as amusing as it was enthralling as he told of a visit to the north of Spain to the Basque country.

By using excellent word pictures, Ewan encapsulated and conveyed every aspect of the region from its picturesque scenery, contrasting cities, the Guggenheim museum and impenetrable language to its pride in the cider it produces.

The main speeches were concluded by Chris Smyth in a very well prepared and informative speech on the history and construction of the Caledonian Canal.

Chris included surprising points of interest in his confident delivery, such as construction of the canal first being proposed as early as the year 1620 before eventually being built in 1820 and the fact that today’s tourist cruise boat on the canal is actually too long to fit into the locks to be navigated en route, and allowance has to made for the prow to overhang the lock gates.

Well-considered responses were given to the impromptu topics presented by Ken Murray and Mr Dinwoodie provided beneficial advice to all participants when he fulfilled the additional role of general evaluator for the evening.

Visitors to the club are warmly welcomed and details can be obtained from secretary Ken Murray on (01355) 265424.