Posts Tagged ‘News’

Wetherby carry the day at area contests

Sunday, February 25th, 2024

Wetherby Speakers Club won all three trophies at the Yorkshire & North East contests in York on Sunday 11th February.  John Holian won the speech contest with “If It Grew On Trees”, a look at what life would really be like if money did indeed grow on trees. Neil Wilson was runner up with “Memories Are Made Of This”, a speech unsurprisingly about some of Neil’s memories, delivered with both colour and vigour.

John Holian was declared winner of the topics contest, where the subject was “Green Spaces”, while Neil triumphed in the evaluation contest.. York took second place in both topics and evaluation through Torin Zieboll. John, Neil and Torin will represent the area at the regional contests in Bramhope on Saturday 9th March.

It was great to see Sheffield Speakers Club so well represented at the contests. They fielded 4 competitors and brought several supporters too. Let’s hope we see more of them at future events and that we see members of the newly formed Newcastle Club

These were the first area contests since 2020, with 2021 ruled out by the pandemic and competitors going straight from club to region in 2022 and 2023. It was good to brush the dust off those old trophies and give them an outing!

Sandra Barton

Friday, May 7th, 2021

We were saddened to learn of the death of Sandra Barton on 9th April.Sandra Barton 2003 (2)

Sandra was a great friend to Wetherby Speakers Club. Over the years she regularly attended our dinners, judged our contests and was a constant source of advice, wisdom and humour.  She was a member of Leeds SC and when the club folded she joined Wharfedale SC.

Sandra was probably the first lady to visit Wetherby Speakers Club when we became a mixed club many years ago.

She was a great servant to the ASC and was National President in 2002-3, only the second lady to hold that office. The picture is from her presidential year handing the Speaker of the Year trophy to Simon Weston in Cardiff in January 2003.

Committee for 2010/11

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

At the AGM on 20 May 2010 Neil Wilson was elected as President for a second term. Our new Education Director is John Holian, who takes over from Chris Clissitt, who has served 6 years in the role. Peter Nellist takes over from John as Treasurer. Other positions are unchanged.

This is the full committee:

President  Neil Wilson
Immediate Past President & Social Secretary  Mavis Cryer
Publicity Officer & Vice President Terry Ryan
Secretary  Peter Wilson
Education Director  John Holian
Treasurer  Peter Nellist
Webmaster Chris Clissitt

Neil Wilson elected President for 2009-10

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

At the AGM Neil Wilson was elected President for 2009-10. Congratulations to Neil, who has done some sterling work this season as Publicity Officer.

The full committee is as follows:

President                     Neil Wilson

Vice President             Terry Ryan

Social Secretary         Mavis Cryer

Treasurer                    John Holian

Education Director      Chris Clissitt

Publicity Officer           Terry Ryan

National Speech Contest Dundee

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

Great news – Terry Ryan won the National Speech Contest in Dundee on 25th April with his speech “Flying Lessons.”

This is a fantastic achievement. Terry was up against the winners of the other 7  District Contests and you can be sure that competition was of a high standard.

See and hear Terry’s speech here: \”Flying Lessons\” by Terry Ryan

Our congratulations also to Lindsay Dutch of York RI Speakers Club who won the Evaluation Contest, making it a double for both Eastern District and Vale of York Area. You can see Lindsay’s performance here: Lindsay Dutch, Evaluation Contest Dundee 2009

BBC2 “The Speaker”

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

BBC2 series ‘The Speaker’ commences on Tuesday 7th April at 8.00 pm and is aimed at finding the best young speaker (aged 14 to 18) in the country. 160 youngsters were invited to audition, and over the first three shows the finalists are whittled down to 8. Over the remaining five shows the final eight will be helped by celebrity Mentors. The finalists will be set challenges that will see them learn new skills and put into practice everything they’ve learnt so far. One youngster will be eliminated each show, until only three remain in the final.

More information on the the website BBC2 The Speaker, including tips on how to improve your speaking.

Eastern District Contests 2009

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

National Vice President David Grainger presents Terry with the District Speech Trophy

 

Another victory for Terry Ryan who will now represent Eastern Distict and Wetherby Speakers Club in the final of the  National Speech Contest in Dundee on Saturday 25 April. Terry’s speech was entitled “I Speak As I Find” This means Wetherby Speakers Club have now fielded contestants in four of the last five National Contests. Best of luck to Terry in the final – we will all be rooting for him!

Chris Clissitt was second in the District Topics Contest. Lindsay Dutch of York Speakers Club won the Evaluation Contest, and we wish him all the best in National Final.

Vale of York Area Contests 2009

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Terry receives the Area Speech Trophy from Chris Birch

Chris Clissitt wins the Topics Contest

 

Terry Ryan won the Vale of York Area speech contest with “La Crise Economique” and Neil Wilson made it a one-two for Wetherby Speakers Club by claiming the runners up spot with “There’s No Place Like Home.”

No luck for the club in the Evaluation Contest, but Chris Clissitt won the Topics contest to make it two wins out of three for Wetherby.

National Speech Contest

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

At the National Conference in Blackpool Chris Clissitt represented Eastern District in the national speech contest with a piece entitled “Small Things.” There were 8 competitors in all, representing the 8 districts which make up in the National Association. Unfortunately no place this time, but Chris was proud that Wetherby were again represented at a national contest.

Our hearty congratulations to Lindsay Dutch of York RISC who won the National Topics Contest in Blackpool. Lindsay has competed at National level in both Speech and Topics contests over recent years and we are all delighted that he has landed gold on behalf of Eastern District.