Toastmasters heat up cold evening
The weather was cold, but Toastmasters have a knack of heating things up with their lighthearted humorous speech and table topics contest.
Past president of Mullingar Toastmasters, Pauline McCabe, kicked off the last club meeting and introduced veteran speaker, Lorraine Murphy, as contest chair.
Six contenders entered the fray offering a diverse selection of humorous speeches. They included John Waldron, Brian McLoughlin, Niamh Tubridy, Anthony Viney, Derek Walsh and Pat Kenny.
Subjects ranged from the joys of being weird, blocked toilets and leaky baths, to career opportunities while wearing pink, raging against those who start a conversation with ‘so’ and mysterious guests at drunken weddings.
All entertained.
After a break for coffee and chat, the Table Topics contest put the audience on the edge of their seats, as contestants responded, off the cuff, to the theme of ‘Your Favourite Waste of Time’.
Wasting no time, Patsy Fagan, John, Niamh, Pat, Derek and Brian threw in their two pennyworth with some surprising insights on the subject.
Silence and anticipation followed.
The winners of both contests were announced.
In humorous speeches, John Waldron, Brian McLoughlin and Pat Kenny were first, second and third respectively.
In table topics, first, second and third places were awarded to John Waldron, Niamh Tubridy and Pat Kenny.
All first and second places go on to compete at the Area Contest on November 4.
Lorraine concluded by reminding the meeting that everyone is a winner simply by taking part. She also thanked Anke Von Bunau, as chief judge, the timekeepers, John and Gareth Waldron, fáilte officer, Eilish Fox, and Sgts at Arms, Aansira Giarza Lopez and Jacqui Wiley.
Pauline thanked all and concluded the meeting.
A cold night perhaps, but a Toastmaster session leaves everyone a little bit warmer.
The next public Toastmasters meeting is at the Greville Arms Hotel on Thursday November 23 at 8pm, and everyone is welcome.
– Anthony Viney, public relations officer