After welcoming a slightly lower number of members than in previous months our Chairman Michael Fisk had the pleasure of presenting Graham Churchill with a bottle of Claret to celebrate his recent birthday and joining the ranks of the octogenarians in the Club.
When accepting his bottle Graham said how he had initially been reluctant to join Cheam Probus when asked by the late Peter Vickery but having finally succumbed to Peter's repeated requests he has thoroughly enjoyed every minute of his membership and the friends and fun that he has experienced over the years.
This month's lunch was an Italian Style Chicken with Mozzarella, Ratatouille, Tomato & Herb Sauce, and Crispy Potatoes followed by a delicious Chocolate Mousse & Profiterole Torte. Much enjoyed by all.
After lunch our Speakers Secretary Bill Scott welcomed Stephen Hall from the London Guild of Toastmasters to tell us all about the trials and tribulations of a modern Toastmaster.
The role of the Toastmaster in English Society dates back to 1705 with Richard "Beau" Nash as the Master of Ceremonies for the City of Bath. The red Huntsmen's Pink jacket and tails dates from 1894 when Toastmaster William Knightsmith being fed up with being mistaken for a waiter at events took up his wife's suggestion for something more colourful.
Stephen became a Toastmaster 1989, following a career in the police force and has officiated at nearly two thousand weddings since first putting on the red coat. Whilst having to be knowledgeable in etiquette as well as the catering process and procedures a Toastmaster has to be first and foremost a diplomat especially when guests and hosts have been enjoying themselves at the bar. He likened organising a reception line to being a sheep dog with a watch!
Thank you Stephen for a most entertaining talk and for waking some of us all up part-way through with your very strong voice "Ladies and Gentlemen!!!" Maybe some of us will have need of your services at a forthcoming special occasion.
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