At the AGM on 16th May 2013 Niki Boersma was elected President for the a second year, and possibly for the first time ever, every club officer was re-elected for the 2013/14 season.
This is the full committee:
| President | Niki Boersma |
| Publicity Officer & Vice President | Jocelyn Brooks |
| Education Director & Imm Past President | Howard Herbert |
| Secretary | Peter Wilson |
| Treasurer | Neil Wilson |
| Social Secretary | Mavis Cryer |
| Webmaster | Chris Clissitt |
Chris with the National Speech trophy and the Wetherby SC banner, which was on display all weekend at the conference
Chris Clissitt came first in the National Speech Contest at Castle Donington on Saturday 27th April. There were 8 competitors representing the 8 districts which make up in the National Association, and Chris won with his speech entitled “The Problem With Solutionism.”
This was Wetherby’s 3rd different winner of the trophy following Roy Bowen in 1980 and Terry Ryan in 2009. In fact, Wetherby have provided two winners and two runners up in the last 8 years alone (Terry was runner up in 2011.) Not bad for a small club!
And it doesn’t end there….. Neil Wilson represented the club in the National Evaluation contest on Sunday morning and delivered an excellent evaluation. Whilst not in the places on this occasion, he acquitted himself well and enjoyed the experience.
Neil Wilson, who competed in the National Evaluation contest
And for Eastern District more good news – Lindsay Dutch of York RISC was installed as National President. We wish him all the best for a very successful year of office.
Mention must also go to Martin Bishop of Bradford SC who was appointed Eastern District President.
Thanks to Jocelyn Brooks, our Publicity Officer, who took the opportunity to display the Wetherby Speakers Club banner in a prominent location for the whole weekend, generating a healthy amount of interest from passers by.
Wetherby’s traditional light hearted after dinner speech contest took place at The Bridge Inn, Walshford on Friday 22nd March. This time the charade was the ASC “Product Placement” Dinner. Imagine that the ASC has descided to use its vast marketing budget to invest in product placement – not in a film or a TV series, but in a novel, presumably to reflect its erudite target market.
Five world famous novelists staked their claim to be the writer chosen to feature the ASC in their next book. The winner, for the second time in three years was our president, Niki Boersma, for her portrayal of J K Scowling.
The other speakers were George Snorewell (Neil Wilson), Salmon Cushtie(Chris Clissitt) Agatha Cushtie (Mavis Cryer) and Chas “Boz” Thickens (Howard Herbert). The MC was Hilarity Mantelpiece (Jan Millar) and the judge was Chris Birch.
Niki Boersma was runner up in the Topics Contest to Veronica Baldwin of Halifax & Huddersfield SC, and Neil Wilson also took silver in the Evaluation Contest. The winner was Sylvia Walker of Craven SC. We understand that a holiday commitment may prevent her appearance at Castle Donington in April, so Neil is in line to take her place. Having supplied all three Vale of York contestants at District for the first time, Wetherby may now have two National finalists in the same year!
Unfortunately Neil was unavailable for the photoshoot….
Chris with the District Speech trophy
Niki with the District Topics Runner Up trophy
A hat trick for Wetherby Speakers Club at the Vale of York Area contests on Sunday 13th January – Chris Clissitt won the speech contest with “Strivers”, Neil Wilson won the evaluation contest and Niki Boersma took home the topics trophy. Just for good measure, Neil was also runner up in the topics to make it a Wetherby 1-2.
Chris, Neil and Niki will represent Club and Area in the District Contests at the Bridge Inn on Sunday 17th February.
Congratulations to Neil Wilson who won the club evaluation contest on Thursday 10th January and to runner up Jeff Denton. Our thanks to Sandra Barton who judged the contest.
There have been a couple of changes to our line up for the area contests on Sunday 13th as a couple of contestants are unable to attend:
Speech: Chris Clissitt & Neil Wilson
Evaluation: Neil Wilson & Howard Herbert
Topics: Niki Boersma & Neil Wilson
Chris Clissit chaired the annual Topics Contest on 6th December and asked members to speak for three minutes on topics based on phrases such as “Shooting the Breeze”, “Squaring the Circle” and “Wiping the Floor”. Votes were cast by all present and the winner was John Holian with Niki Boersma runner up. Both will represent the club at the Area Topics Contest to be held in York on Sunday 13th January.
Both the Area and District contests have been moved back by one day to Sunday.
The Area Contests will now take place at on Sunday 13th January 2013 at York Railway Institute from 12:30 – 16:30.
The Eastern District Contests and Conference will now take place at The Bridge Inn, Walshford on Sunday 17th February (time tbc.)
Neil and Chris will represent the club at the Vale of York Area Speech Contest on 13th January 2013 in York.
Chris Clissitt receives the trophy from Judge Jan Millar
Long time members of the ASC may remember Roger Taylor who passed away on the afternoon of Friday 14th September. Roger was President of Wetherby Speakers Club in 1986-87 and Vale of York Area President sometime after that. He was instrumental in reviving the fortunes of the Club after a period of low membership and will be sadly missed.
At the AGM on 24 May 2012 Niki Boersma was elected President for the 2012/13 season. Niki was recently the President of the National Association of Ladies Circles, so is more than a little qualified for the role of Club President!
Neil Wilson will take over as Treasurer (our fourth in four years – a role that is clearly a bit of a hot potato!)
Howard Herbert will step in as Education Director, taking over from John Holian, who is the new Eastern District President.
Jocelyn Brooks is the new Vice President and will continue as Publicity Officer. Other positions are unchanged.
The new season will kick off on Thursday 13th September at the Days Inn.
This is the full committee:
| President | Niki Boersma |
| Publicity Officer & Vice President | Jocelyn Brooks |
| Education Director & Imm Past President | Howard Herbert |
| Secretary | Peter Wilson |
| Treasurer | Neil Wilson |
| Social Secretary | Mavis Cryer |
| Webmaster | Chris Clissitt |
Chris Clissitt failed to bring home any silverware from the National Contests in Cardiff at the end of April. At the Topics Contest on Friday evening it was all going so well as Chris spoke on “Raising The Bar.” Some kindly observers even said they had him ahead at one stage. But he ignored the extinguishing of the red light at 3 mins 15 secs and continued to speak for 5 more seconds; thus any hopes were in turn extinguished by the obligatory penalty points.
At the Evaluation Contest on Sunday morning he surprisingly completed his evaluation within the allotted 4 minutes, possibly for the first time ever. The evaluation included analysis of the assignment, previous assignments, advice, praise, recommendation – in fact the whole array of ingredients that Chris had previously found impossible to squeeze into 7 or 8 minutes! It was to no avail – once again he was unplaced.
Helen Tate completed a consistent performance by Eastern District by achieving a similar position in the Speech Contest on Saturday afternoon.
It was not all gloom – our District President, Lindsay Dutch of York RISC, was invested as the National Vice President for 2012/13. We wish him every success in this role, and even more success when he goes on to become National President in 2013/14.
At the District Evaluation Contest in February Chris Clissitt became the first winner of the Trevor and Sheila Wyatt trophy (see news item below.) Unfortunately the engraver had caused some damage to the plating and the trophy had to be remade and engraved again. Peter Wyatt, Trevor and Sheila’s son, came to the club meeting on 26th April to present the trophy for a second time.
Peter Wyatt (right) presents the trophy to Chris Clissitt with Howard Herbert, Club President (left)
Jan Millar receives the trophy from Lindsay Dutch
After six entertaining speeches, Jan Millar was declared the winner for her highly amusing take on the part of Jacqueline Goldmine, Chief Executive of a lingerie and sex accessory chain.
The other speakers were Michael O’Dearie (Peter Wilson), Jim Trytrytryson (Howard Herbert), Richard Iamthebrandson (Neil Wilson), Mark Sugarmountain (Chris Clissitt) and Alan Zucker (John Holian). The MC was Miss Feasance (Niki Boersma) and the judge was Lindsay Dutch, Eastern District President.
Chris receives the Trevor & Sheila Wyatt Trophy from Peter Wyatt
Chris Clissitt followed up his double at Area with a repeat performance at the Eastern District contests on the 19th February when he won both the topics and evaluation contests. He will now represent the District (and Club and Area) at the National finals in Cardiff on 27th and 29thApril.
There was a new prize for the District Evalution contest – the Trevor and Sheila Wyatt trophy. Trevor was a member of Wetherby Speakers Club for many years and twice past president.
He helped to found the club in 1978 when he was a member at Leeds. Sheila was also a good friend to the Club having been a frequent visitor to meetings and dinners and acting as a judge for our club contests on many occasions. Sadly Trevor died in 2010 and Sheila in January this year.
Chris was delighted to be the first winner of the trophy created in their memory and especially pleased that on its first outing it should go to Wetherby Speakers Club. It was presented by their son, Peter Wyatt.
Denise Adlard of Bradford SC was runner up in both contests. Helen Tait of York RI SC won the speech contest and will compete at Cardiff on 28th April.
You can also read the report submitted to the Wetherby News under “articles”.
Chris Clissitt won both the topics and evaluation contests at the Vale of York Area contests on Sunday 15th January and will represent the Club and Area at the Eastern District contests on 19th February in York.
In the speech contest Neil Wilson (with “They’ll be Dancing in the Streets of Hawick” ) and Jocelyn Brooks (with “Ramblings of a Church Warden) both gave excellent deliveries, but the contest was won by Helen Tait of York RISC with Lindsay Dutch runner up.
Howard Herbert and John Holian also represented the club in the evaluation and topics conests respectively.
You can also read the report submitted to the Wetherby News under “articles”.
Congratulations to Howard Herbert, who won the Club Evaluation contest last Thursday 5th January. The runner up was Peter Nellist, but unfortunately he is not available on Sunday 15th so he will be unable to represent the club at the Area contest. John Holian will stand in for him.
Here is the full line up for Wetherby at the Area contests:
Speech: Neil Wilson & Jocelyn Brooks
Evaluation: Howard Herbert & John Holian
Topics: John Holian & Chris Clissitt
Congratulations to Neil Wilson on winning the Annual Speech contest on Thursday 15th December. Neil has represented the club in various contests at Vale of York Area, but this is the first time he has won the club speech contest, so we have a new name on the trophy. Neil spoke about Bill McLaren with his speech entitled “They’ll Be Dancing In the Streets of Hawick.”
The runner up was Jocelyn Brooks who dragged herself off her sick bed to deliver a very entertaining speech entitled “Reflections of a Church Warden.” Jocelyn will join Neil in representing the Club at the Vale of York Area contest on Sunday 15th January. If either Neil or Jocelyn prevail, we predict that they’ll be dancing on the streets of Wetherby!
There were 7 contestants in all, 7 high quality speeches, and a very close decision, according to the judge, Barbara Cresswell of White Rose Speakers Club.
Peter Wilson chaired the annual Topics Contest on 1st December and asked members to speak for three minutes on topics based on modern phrases in current use such as “Silver Surfers”, “Spin Doctor” and “Biodegradable”. Votes were cast by all present and the winner was John Holian with Chris Clissitt runner up. Both will represent the club at the Area Topics Contest to be held in York on Sunday 15th January.
This September Wetherby Speakers Club begins the new season in a new venue, The Days Inn at Wetherby Services at Junction 46 of the A1M. We will use the ground floor meeting room where flip charts, white boards and a computer linked LCD TV screen are available. The hotel will provide water and stationery. Must be one of the easiest to find venues of any Speakers Club!
We had 6 great years at The Ramada Jarvis Hotel, an excellent venue and very good value. Unfortunately the price was set to rise several fold this season, so we had to explore elsewhere. Our appreciation to Peter Wilson for his fine work in finding a venue which we believe is equally as good as the Ramada and on favourable terms too.
Life in the fast lane! (Or at least very close to it…..)
At the AGM on 12 May 2011 Howard Herbert was elected President. This is Howard’s second term, having served as President from 2006-2008. Neil Wilson remains on the commitee as Immediate Past President.
We welcome two new faces to the committee: Niki Boersma, who is our new Treasurer and Vice President, and Jocelyn Brooks, who has taken the role of Publicity Officer. Other positions are unchanged.
This is the full committee:
| President | Howard Herbert |
| Immediate Past President | Neil Wilson |
| Treasurer & Vice President | Niki Boersma |
| Secretary | Peter Wilson |
| Education Director | John Holian |
| Social Secretary | Mavis Cryer |
| Publicity Officer | Jocelyn Brooks |
| Webmaster | Chris Clissitt |
Terry Ryan came 2nd in the National Speech Contest in Edinburgh on Saturday 16th April with his speech “7 Billion Day.” There were 8 competitors representing the 8 districts which make up in the National Association. Congratulations to Terry – we are delighted that he has brought some silverware back to Wetherby for the 2nd time in 3 years.
Congratulations too to Lindsay Dutch of York RI Speakers Club. Lindsay won the National Evaluation Contest for the 2nd time, and his 3rd national title (he also won national topics in 2008.)
Another spoof scenario for this traditional light hearted contest which took place at The Bridge Inn, Walshford on Friday 18th March. To commemorate the 804th anniversary of the creation of the Borough of Leeds and the 118th anniversary of gaining city status, the event was the ”Legendary Loiners Tribute Dinner” in tribute to Leeds and the great people who come from the city. Each speaker was a Leeds Legend who had to state their claim to the title “Greatest Living Loiner.”
We heard five great speeches. The winner was Niki Boersma who took the part of Lemony Brown, a member of 90s group The Slice Girls, pioneers of “girl power”. We have a new name on the trophy – although the name Boersma is new to Niki, not just the trophy!
The other speakers were Barbara Taylor Brighouse (Caroline Boom), Jimmy Snaffle (Peter Wilson), Mark Peter Bianco (Chris Clissitt), and Mike Tinballs (Neil Wilson). The MC was Aaron Calder (Terry Ryan) and the judge was Barbara Cresswell of White Rose Speakers Club.
At the Eastern District Contests on Saturday 19th February, Terry Ryan won the speech contest with “I Am No Conspiracy Theorist”, beating Martin Bishop (Yorkshire Dales Area) and Ken Creen (North East Area.) Terry is through to the national final in Edinburgh in April – his second appearance. On the last occasion in 2009 in Dundee Terry emerged victorious and brought home the national speech trophy. Here’s hoping he can repeat the feat in 2011!
Lindsay Dutch of York RI Speakers Club won both the topics contest and the evaluation contest making it a clean sweep for Vale of York Area. Lindsay will make his seventh consecutive appearance in the national finals…..surely an unprecedented sequence?
Terry Ryan receives the Area Speech Contest trophy from Chief Judge, Tony Morris
It was a Wetherby 1-2 in the speech contest, as Chris Clissitt claimed the runner up spot with his speech “The Idle Brume.” In fact, Wetherby made clean sweep of silver medals, as John Holian was 2nd in the evaluation contest, and Chris Clissitt 2nd in the topics contest. Lindsay Dutch of York RI Speakers Club was victorious in both these contests.
