Silver and gold make for glittering talks

Renfrew District Speakers Club president Mary Phillips welcomed along members to the latest meeting.

Joan Milburn reported on the high standard of speech, evaluation and topics contests at the recent area conference held in Glasgow.

Cate Donaldson, as chairman, outlined the programme for the evening. The theme was‘Gold and Silver’.

Joan opened by reading two poems:‘What is Gold’by Mary O’Neill and‘Silver’by Walter de la Mare.

Dorothy Hamilton’s speech was wide-ranging.

She began in space with helium and hydrogen but quickly added that gold and platinum were formed when stars collided. This led to interesting facts.

She spoke of the gold mines of South Africa and gold found in the UK. We learned that China is the second-largest silver producer; and that Poland is the largest producer of silver in Europe.

She said:“Silver has a vital role in producing electricity. I’m wearing gold and silver,”as she displayed necklaces, bracelets and earrings before adding:“Islamic teaching forbids men to wear gold.”

Her evaluator, Norma Murray, praised the speaker’s voice modulation and eye contact.

She enjoyed the many interesting facts about gold and silver, adding:“I could have listened to more.”

Historically, Renfrew Ladies Speakers Club became a member of the Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC) in 1988, when Greater Glasgow Area was born. The club had previously been a Toastmistresses Club.

Pat Thompson had been an active member of Toastmistresses and, in 1989, she became the first lady to be Glasgow Area president.

Up until 1987, ASC was only for men.

Joan remembered being a very new member and having several fast-learning curves as she was told about areas, then districts and then national. The club is now Renfrew District Speakers Club, open to both men and women.

Club memories followed. Joan remembered lunches on the Isle of Bute, afternoon teas at East Kilbride, fun nights at Clarkston, Yuletide Suppers were usually packed to overflowing.

There were visits to club nights at other clubs. It was fun, challenging and valuable. She read out an impressive list of many club members who had been contestants in speech, evaluation and topics contests; sometimes on several occasions.

Sheina Ross recalled happily going to national conferences, held in places to which she had never been, and the pleasure of expanding her wardrobe to include evening wear.

President Mary read from‘So Here I Am’and focussed on a speech by Emmeline Pankhurst in 1913. The radical politics are remembered in her words,“Either women are to be killed or have the vote. Give us freedom or death”.

Women (aged over 21) gained the right to vote in 1928. A lively discussion about the roles of women in today’s society followed the reading.

Irene Thom was general evaluator.

She enjoyed the variety of items, in particular the reading and discussion about the suffragettes.

The club meets fortnightly at 7.15pm, in Holy Trinity & St Barnabas Church halls, Paisley.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 7. Anyone interested in gaining confidence in speaking is invited to come along and visit.