Toastmasters UK North & Ireland

The Prompter

He was always a postman called Dinny, in a scratchy, serge, shiny-buttoned suit  – An oxtered cap lined with snotty avocado. Delivering the village’s One O’Clock News, to a headscarfed hausfrau with a five o’clock shadow. Cochlea cocked for the prompt, from his 10 years old understudy in flares and Fairisle in the front row. … Read more

Starting a new club and leading since then. Mary McHugh – Tallaght Toastmasters

Mary McHugh has been in toastmasters over twenty years. She is very quiet and obliging, working for the common good. I told her ten years ago I was thinking of setting up a toastmaster’s group in Tallaght and immediately she offered to help. She is an exceptional speaker and leader, filling many roles in Tallaght … Read more

Fifteen Years of Voices, Leaders and Friendships

Leicester City Speakers celebrates 15 extraordinary years. On the evening of 23rd April 2026, Leicester City Speakers — Club No. 1591173, Area 06, Division E, District 71 — gathered to mark a milestone fifteen years in the making. Thirty-six members and guests filled the room at 1 Richmond Street, Leicester, for a celebration that was … Read more

The Unexpected Gift of Conference

What was the conference like for me? Honestly? Expansive. Not because everything went perfectly. It didn’t. There were moments of exhaustion, accessibility challenges, nerves before my workshop, too much coffee, not enough sleep, and the occasional “What on earth am I doing?” moment that many of us secretly have at conferences. But somewhere between the … Read more

Using Your Voice

Psychologist Albert Marahabian is quoted as saying “we are five times as likely to be influenced by voice than by spoken words as we listen to a speaker” There is a lot of learned wisdom in his words. When one reflects on one’s tone of voice when speaking one very quickly learns about volume. Does … Read more