Humour is on the agenda!
HUMOUR was evident at Loughborough Speakers Club’slatest meeting with two prepared speeches from the eighth section of the speaking guide. This is often thought to be one of the most difficult as humour does not come easily to some people.
However both Sue York and Vince Jupp passed the assignment with flying colours.
Sue’s speech, “Music,
Memories and Misheard Lyrics” was something we could all relate to. How often have you hummed a tune or sung a song with a misheard lyric only to find out much later what the word or phrase actually was.
We heard “Feel the beat of the Tangerine” from an ABBA song which should have been Tambourine!
“Poppadom Peach” instead of” Poppa don’t Preach” from Madonna. “Take a piece of meat with you” instead of “Take a piece of me”
Sue told us that hearing music links us to memories and in particular, an amusing story about being on holiday in France when an unfortunate incidence occurred with a Frenchman and his dog. The song “Walking on Sunshine “always reminds her of this.
Vince Jupp was equally entertaining with his speech “Laughter, not a bad medicine”.
Vince began with a joke which made everyone laugh.” Laughter is good for you” he said, and described the different types of humour that can be used. From playing “Peek a Boo” with babies which gives pleasure from a very early age and is an early lesson in feeling safe when Mum disappears but then comes back. It’s a joy to see them laughing.
He told us about Gallows Humour, Superiority Humour, Slapstick Humour and Relief Humour.
Who hasn’t laughed at themselves when walking into a lamp post or laughed instead of cried with relief.
We had a first speech from new member Seron Tsegaye
Bekele who told us about growing up in Ethiopia with some surprising facts.
Christine Calloway chaired the meeting for the first time. Everyone gets the opportunity to take part in the various roles within the club when they feel ready.
Frank Rawson chaired the Topics session with his subject of “Light Refreshments” and Nick Aginkya as Topics Advisor chose Martin Cox as the best Topics taker.
We had a welcome visit from a former member of the club when it was men only! Andy Jervis who belonged to the club way back in the early seventies had found the original framed Certificate of Charter as members of the ASC ( The Association of Speakers Clubs). It was dated 15th April 1972.
The men’s club began in 1971 and the ladies club began in 1979 but they were not allowed to become official members until eight years later.
They were admitted as affiliate members but could not enter into competitions until they became a chartered club. Nowadays most clubs have a mixed and varied membership with people from different countries and cultures.
They still meet in John Storer House after all these years and continue to welcome new faces as others leave for different paths in life.
For details of how to join us go to www. loughboroughspeakers.org.uk or come along to one of our evenings.
We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm.