For our final meeting of a challenging and some would say calamitous year, Toastmaster Simon lead us smoothly through a festive session with three insightful speeches, a festive Table Topics session, and members in festive attire, notably hats and Christmas jumpers.

Simon’s warm-up had us sharing Christmas plans which did seem to focus on making the best of an unprecedented situation. It would come as no surprise if a number of members’ New Year resolutions include weight loss! 

Our three prepared speeches came from Kirsty, Chris, and Santiago. Kirsty gave us a heart-warming speech about what she has learned through 2020 that has helped her pull back from a hectic lifestyle to one that allows her to enjoy little but more fulfilling pleasures. Chris reflected on what he had learned from mentoring people in public speaking, and particularly about re-framing a challenge as an opportunity to enjoy the moment. Santiago spoke eloquently about the notion of organic education and how the “gift of human creativity” should be part of education’s future focus. 

Evaluations were delivered for the second time by Sania, the rapidly improving and insightful Michael, and first-timer Tonderai. Congratulations on all your evaluations.

Topicsmaster Steve when straight for the seasonal approach with the 12 days of Christmas as his theme. But this time, he asked what each participant would give him on each day. No one opted for five gold rings, but after a close run context that saw first time guest Emily bank second place, our winner and reigning Table Topics Champion was Imogen Murphy who promised Steve a ‘sprinkling of Christmas sleep’ and her dreams. 

Our Grammarian Marie, chose ‘calamitous’ as the Word of the Meeting which was fitting for 2020.  Although not a word to use in describing any Tunbridge Wells Speakers Club meeting, it did see use a large handful of times at this one.