Men welcome as lady speakers move with the times
After more than half a century, an all female club has opened membership to all.
Renfrew Ladies was formed as a speakers club way back in the swinging sixties.
But times have changed, and the national association insisted it was now a requirement of affiliation to drop single sex clubs.
Renfrew Ladies has now changed its name to Renfrew District Speakers Club, with a new base in Paisley.
Education director Joan Milburn said: “We only have lady members at the moment and are now open to both genders.
“So we will be happy to welcome in our first gent.”
She accepts it can be daunting to join a new group and is encouraging men as well as women to“bring a friend”for their first meeting.
Over the years the club has met in Renfrew Town Hall, The Normandy Hotel and latterly the Glynhill Hotel.
But the first meeting post lockdown is at Sherwood Greenlaw Church in Paisley’s Glasgow Road.
The confidence-boosting sessions over the years have helped members get promotions at work as their public addresses improved.
Joan added:“We are now open to both men and women and it’s a good time to come to a meeting.
“Being in a speakers club and taking part is a good way of boosting confidence.
“We have not met for over 18 months and so we all feel rusty and out of practice.”
In the past the club had a close link with the all male Renfrew Speakers Club, which is continuing outside of the national umbrella body.
The first meeting of the new group featured a“True or False”session which led to a wide variety of stories, up to ten minutes long.
Tales included travelling in a royal procession behind the Queen Mother, mention of the Mafia and the origin of Auld Lang Syne.
Renfrew District Speakers Club will meet fortnightly on Thursdays.
The next meetings are in Sherwood Greenlaw Church, Glasgow Road, Paisley on October 7 and 21; November 4 and 18 and December 2.
Contact jmmilburn@btinternet.com or 01505 325062 for information.