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The National Association of Toastmasters

TOASTMASTERS’ VOICE TMV SUMMER 2026

TMV Contents 34. Becoing a Beadle - Brian Lee

14. NAT Summer Party

In Memorium Barry Dorn

Message from the President

30 32

Editor introduction and miscellaneous information

NAT Summer Party - Michael Brunker

14 22

Have You Considered an Alaska Cruise - Michael Myers

My First Solo Gig as a Toastmaster Sharon Jhheent

Becoing a Beadle - Brian Lee

The Tamada and the Toastmaster Two Traditions, One Purpose - Robert Persell

Two Wonderful Waterfalls and the Privilege of Being a Toastmaster - Dips Sharma

Publicity Forum - Geoff Harris

No Win, No Fee! - Rodger Oatley

22. Two Wonderful Waterfalls and the Privilege of Being a Toastmaster - Dips Sharma 3

IN MEMORIUM.

BARRY DORN 1932 - 2026 We gather today to honour a man whose life was shaped by adversity, resilience, and an extraordinary ability to keep moving forward no matter what stood in his way. My challenge is to give you a flavour of that life, in a limited time. But so much of it had so many bizarre details and unique achievements that it has been very hard to summarise. I’ve tried to pick out a few examples to highlight his ethos and morality, but for each there are a 100 more unsaid. 4

Dad was born in 1932 into a difficult home. His parents struggled with relationship issues. Both were heavy smokers and carrying their own scars, especially his father from the trenches of the First World War. Home was not always a peaceful place, and as a child he often found comfort with his friend Colin and a loyal collie dog named Judy. Those early years were hard. He was frequently ill with asthma, spending long periods in West Middlesex Hospital with pneumonia, at one point coming

close to death. The illness left its mark on his body, creating a little dimple in his chest that gathered water when in the bath, fascinating us as children. But his spirit was never dimmed.

he would do many times with courage and clarity. He moved into technical sales with Shell, travelling the country selling specialist lubricants and epoxy resins, even into the Blue Streak programme.

During the war he was evacuated twice. First to Wales, where he was treated poorly, and later to Devon, where he finally found family warmth with his cousins. This also ignited a passion for gardening based on the Dig For Victory ethos. All of our houses had a “veg patch” with food of various quantities and qualities produced. The “make do and mend” attitude pervaded much of what he did.

He joined the Masons and was an active member of Kynaston Studd Lodge, achieving the hights of “London Grand Rank”.

As he grew into his teenage years, he discovered running, and a determination to overcome the asthma that had plagued him. He became a talented runner, so talented, that he became the Amateur Athletics Association quarter‑mile champion in the early 50’s. But an Achilles tendon injury in winter training ended his Olympic hopes, he continued running throughout his life. Despite the War, he never had animosity towards the German people and mentioned many happy times touring Europe especially for Athletics events, even behind the iron curtain with groups of friends in an old Volkswagen Beetle, confusing the border guards. Academically, he excelled. He completed a degree and then a master’s in biochemistry with medicine, researching treatments for bilharzia disease. But he soon realised that medical research wouldn’t support the lifestyle he hoped for, so he pivoted, something

Around this time he married Janice and they were married for 62 years. Having us two boys in the late 60’s. To better himself and with an emerging family, he studied for a Diploma in Management (=MBA) and landed a job with management consultancy Cooper Brothers, where his intellect and scientific understanding helped companies transform themselves. He worked in steel, chemicals, marketing. Around 1972 he moved to Rubery Owen in Birmingham. Once again, he often succeeding in places others wouldn’t dare to go, including Libya and Algeria. He wrote sales documents in French of a quality that surprised even native speakers. He also mentioned having to complete a sales deal, naked, with a beer, in a sauna, in Sweden as the customer sort every last scrap of leverage over the negotiations. But that didn’t phase him. In the mid 70’s mum & dad bought a cottage in France. It was a source of joy for him, although the novelty wore a little thin for the rest of the family. But did provide unique moments and confirmed his deep love of France. We moved to Twickenham in 1977 and 5

he worked for a variety of companies. Still finding time to support Round Ta organise major social events for the Institute of Marketing.

But life in big corporations was not always kind. He faced redundancy more tha

Eventually he was offered the opportunity to stand-in as a Toastmaster for a fr What started as a sideline became a vocation. He rose to become President of well into his nineties, he was still climbing scaffolding for topping‑out cerem bringing a sense of occasion wherever he went.

In the late 80’s Mum & Dad dealt with empty nest syndrome through a Border brought huge joy to his life and everyone they met, but also kept him mobile. J

When we look back on Dad’s life, what stands out is not just what he achieved, b setbacks. Yet every time, he found a way through. He lived almost 94 years. Ye he met them all with determination, intelligence and enduring strength. May he rest in peace.

Janice a

able, 14th Richmond Sea Scouts, Twickenham Park Residents Association and

an once.

riend. This became one of the most unexpected and joyful chapters of his life. f the National Association of Toastmasters three times. He continued working monies, accompanied by a friend with bagpipes, explaining the traditions and

Collie named “Flair”. Followed by Minx a few years later. These dogs certainly Joining him on weekly runs well into his 80’s.

Flair and Minx

but what he overcame. A difficult childhood. Illness. War. Repeated professional ears that spanned some of the most turbulent moments of the last century and

and Barry Dorn at the NAT Christmas Lunch 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Members, I hope you have all managed to get through the very hot summer. Although it was beautiful, I think we all suffered in our own way wearing red coats and starched shirts. I hope, on balance, it was a good summer for you and your families, and for those of you who had a holiday, I hope you enjoyed a lovely time away. Since the last magazine, I am delighted to report that we have

elevated three members to Fellowship, and I send my heartfelt congratulations to David Wylie, our incoming President for 2026, Guy Boyling and Lee Taylor. Although we celebrate their success, I am also saddened to report the passing of our life Vice President, Barry Dorn, who gave so much to the NAT over the years and for which we are extremely grateful. At the end of July, many members

and friends of the NAT went to the home of our Honorary Secretary, Brian Lee, and his wonderful wife Gill, who hosted us for a summer garden party. They provided a fantastic lunch and plenty of drinks, and a great day was had by all. My thanks also go to Archie Tipple, who provided a fun garden game for which we all enjoyed great friendly rivalry, and I’m pleased to say I was on the winning team. The fantastic day ended with a few brave members taking a dip in Brian and Gill’s swimming pool, and on behalf of everyone, we extend our heartfelt thanks to both of you for hosting such a wonderful summer garden party. I, together with our current Life Vice President, Howard Robbins, were delighted to take the two hour drive down to Hastings to visit Tom Broughton, who was celebrating his 90th birthday. We reminisced a lot about the NAT over the years, and Tom sends his regards to each and every one of you. Tom was a well known Toastmaster and a trainer for many successful Toastmasters. Happy birthday Tom! As always, I want to thank my fellow officers for all their hard work, and extend special thanks to Richard Mitchell, who works tirelessly to ensure that the magazine goes out throughout the year. As always, if you have any articles of interest,

please send them to Richard for the next issue. This will be my last President’s Message for the magazine before I hand over the reins to David Wylie, so I would like to thank everyone for their continued support, guidance and friendship during the last two years. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve as President of the NAT, and this certainly isn’t a farewell, as I will continue to be involved in this fabulous association of professionals and friends. My final note goes to all of you: please support David Wylie at his Christmas lunch in December. Full details have been emailed, but if you need further information, please reach out to our Secretary or to David personally. Please do not let this be the end of the NAT Christmas lunches, as it is always such a fantastic event, and I look forward to seeing every one of you there. Enjoy the rest of the summer, and I hope to see many of you at the AGM, where I will hand over to our new President. Warm regards, Robert Persell President of the NAT - 2024-2026

Welcome to the Summer Edition of the TMV I hope you’ve all had a full, busy and enjoyable summer, whether you’ve been hard at work or making the most of the fabulous weather and having holiday time. We have a bumper summer edition of the TMV for you, packed with interesting and varied articles. As ever, a huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contribute. The TMV simply wouldn’t be possible without your stories, ideas and enthusiasm. There’s a plethora of articles to tickle your fancy in this issue. We hear from our newer Toastmasters as they share their experiences and first engagements, delve into a little history with Toastmastering, and enjoy a selection of other Toastmaster-related articles. We are certainly a hard-working association, and I think it’s fair to say we all need a holiday now and again to relax and recharge! With that in mind, I’ve continued our travel feature, which has appeared in recent editions. If you’ve enjoyed a great trip, discovered somewhere special, or simply have a travel tale you’d like to share, please do send in an article. And if you have photographs to accompany it, even better! So, pour yourself a cup of tea or something stronger, find a comfortable spot and enjoy this summer edition of the TMV. Happy reading! Richard Mitchell

All contributions to be sent to richard@cambridgetoastmaster.com The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the NAT. 10

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THE NAT 100 CLUB – BE IN IT TO WIN IT! Dear Members of the NAT. I am delighted to report that all 100 numbers have been sold which takes us up to the end of and including April 2027. Coming soon will be the NAT Christmas Luncheon when we shall have the December Draw and also the 3 extra Prize Draws for £25.00, £50.00 and £100.00

2026 Winners May June July August

25 51 51 91

Sheila Davies Gordon Haining Gordon Haining David Tinney

£20 £20 £20 £20

Dates for the diary Annual General Meeting Sunday 11th October 2026

Christmas Lunch Monday 14th December 2026 - Victory Services Club 11

Archie’s Antics

Congratulations to these fine gentlemen on becoming NAT Fellows

Guy Boyling

Lee Taylor

David Wylie

Celebrating Tom Broughton’s 90th Birthday Robert Persell and Howard Robbins recently paid a visit to NAT Past President, Tom Broughton, at his home in Kent, marking his 90th birthday just days after the occasion. Their visit was not only a celebration of Tom’s milestone, but also a tribute to his NAT legacy. Tom Broughton enjoyed a distinguished career as a Toastmaster, gaining respect and admiration for his professionalism, kindness and dedication. His tenure as ‘President’ of the NAT was in 2004. Despite having lost his eyesight, Tom continues to live independently, taking excellent care of himself with the devoted help of his beautiful dog, Velma. It is a testament to his resilience and positive outlook on life. With guidance from Tom’s daughter, Robert and Howard treated him to lunch at his favourite café and the afternoon was filled with reminiscences. Many people who know Tom sent their good wishes, and he warmly asked Robert and Howard to pass on his greetings to all his friends and acquaintances. Geoff Harris echoed these sentiments, stating, “How wonderful! Great to see Tom looking so well. We became close during my training and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for him.” Such words highlight the lasting impact Tom has had on many lives, both personally and professionally. We wish Tom continued health and happiness, and thank him for his contributions to the NAT.

Robert, Tom, Howard and Velma 13

NAT SUMM

Forget Ascot, Wimbledon and Glyndebourne. The summer invitation that polite society hankers for has to be the NAT Summer Party. Hosted in late July by the ever-generous and welcoming Brian & Gill Lee at their lovely south London home, this event attracted twenty six NAT members from far and wide and a jolly good time was had by all. In the midst of a heatwave, colourful shirts and an eclectic range of headgear were the order of the day and no one was dressed to get past Christine at the examination panel! What was immediately apparent, and greatly encouraging, was a strong cohort 14

of recent arrivals to the NAT family and, indeed, one gentleman (David) who is still in training prior to his admission examination. The engagement and enthusiasm of newer members can only be of benefit to all, and it was an excellent opportunity to share experiences and ideas of how to build a nascent Toastmaster career. It was obvious that Brian & Gill had put a lot of effort into preparing for us - we were wined and dined wonderfully and it transpires that Brian is quite the pastry chef. In a vain attempt to rid his loft of it, Tom Reddy brought along the framed portrait of William Knightsmith but, alas, no one wished to pick up the mantle

MER PARTY

of custodian. We were, however, given its potted history - essential knowledge to keep the traditional history of our profession alive down the generations. As Victorian author Henry James put it “Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the most beautiful words in the English language”. Well, after the Summer Party, perhaps we can add “and the winner of the 100 Club is….”. Rodger Oatley turned up with not only the 100 Club draw, but then slipped into ‘Del Boy’ mode with his pop-up market stall of NAT goodies. At one stage, and in a sure sign that drink had been taken, we formed ourselves two ranks facing each other across the lawn and began launching wooden rods

in each other’s general direction. No, not the result of a violent schism in the association, but of Archie Tipple’s ‘Viking throwing game’. Enthusiasm may have outweighed accuracy by a country mile, and some of the distraction tactics were a little underhand, but much merriment ensued. The afternoon was capped off for a hardy couple of folk who took a plunge in the pool, before everyone wended their way home having enjoyed the company of old friends and making some new ones. Thank you Brian & Gill. Michael Brunker

Ian Lloyd, Michele and Si Shirley Robert Persell

Nina Vaseer

Brian Lee

Michael Brunker

David Wylie

Rodger Oatley

Howard Robbins

Si Shirley

Tom Reddy in full flow

Michele

Ted Prior

Gillian and Peter Thompson

DianePrior-Sue Reddy-Gillian Thompson- Gill Wylie

David Wylie 18

Brian Lee, Michael Brunker, Robert Peersell and William Knight-Smith

Gill Lee

Sharon Jhheent and Husband

Robert Persell and Archie Tipple

Ian Lloyd 19

Brian Lee, Michael Brunker and Robert Persell

Janine Robbins

Archie Tipple and Robert

Garden Games

RP, AT and IL

TMV Editor begging for articles 20

David Smart

Diane Prior

Sanjay Vaseer

David Wylie and David Smart

Ted & Diane Prior - Rodger & Margrget Oatley 21

Two Wonderful W Privilege of Bein One of the many things I love about being a toastmaster is that no two events are ever the same. Every wedding has its own story, traditions and personalities. Occasionally, however, the role takes us much further afield and offers experiences that few professions can. This year, I had the privilege of undertaking two international wedding assignments, one in Zimbabwe and the other in Canada. Both were wonderful celebrations, both introduced me to different cultures and customs, and both gave me the opportunity to visit two of the most famous waterfalls in the world: Victoria Falls and Niagara Falls. Zimbabwe – The Smoke That Thunders In April, I travelled to Zimbabwe to toastmaster a Hindu wedding celebration. Over the course of the visit, I was honoured to act as toastmaster for three pre-wedding functions as well as the wedding day itself. The family wanted each event to have its own colour theme, so I swapped my traditional toastmaster attire for a variety of traditional Indian outfits throughout the celebrations. For the wedding day itself, I wore a sherwani, at the family’s request, as they preferred that I did not wear red, which would have clashed with the bride’s attire.

Having been born in Zimbabwe, returning always feels special, but this trip offered something particularly memorable: a visit to Victoria Falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya – “The Smoke That Thunders” – Victoria Falls was named by explorer David Livingstone in 1855 and remains one of the natural wonders of the world. Formed by the mighty Zambezi River, it is considered the world’s largest curtain of falling water, stretching nearly 1.7 kilometres across.

Waterfalls and the ng a Toastmaster I was fortunate to visit shortly after exceptionally heavy rains, when water levels were among the highest seen in recent years. The sheer volume of water was incredible. Long before you see the falls, you hear them. Then comes the spray, rising high into the air like smoke, explaining perfectly how the falls earned their local name.

Canada – A Different Kind of Spectacle Just two months later, I found myself on another long-haul flight, this time to Toronto, Canada. Once again, I was engaged to toastmaster three events. The first was a Hindu wedding ceremony at a temple in Markham. The second was a Catholic wedding at St John’s Parish, also in Markham. Having never attended a Catholic wedding before, it was fascinating to observe the traditions and ceremonies from a toastmaster’s perspective. The third event was the evening reception, where I was asked to wear black tie rather than traditional toastmaster colours.

While there, I also managed to enjoy a safari experience and was lucky enough to see lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles in the wild. It was a wonderful reminder of the natural beauty Zimbabwe has to offer.

The wedding celebrations were wonderful, but no trip to Toronto would be complete without visiting Niagara Falls. Unlike Victoria Falls, which sits in a dramatic natural setting, Niagara Falls is surrounded by a bustling tourist destination. Yet the falls themselves are no less impressive. Comprising Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, they attract millions of visitors every year.

What struck me most was the sheer power of the water. More than three million litres flow over the falls every second. Standing beside them, you gain a real appreciation for the forces of nature.

I also visited Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, which provided spectacular views across the city and Lake Ontario. One personal challenge throughout the trip was driving on the “wrong” side of the road! As many members who have driven abroad will know, the first few journeys require considerable concentration. Thankfully, both myself and the hire car survived the experience.

Comparing the Two Falls People often ask which waterfall I preferred, and it is surprisingly difficult to answer. Victoria Falls feels wild, remote and untamed. The surrounding landscape, wildlife and enormous wall of water create an experience that feels almost prehistoric. Niagara Falls is different. It is more accessible, more developed and perhaps more visitor-friendly. While not as high or as wide as Victoria Falls, the volume of water passing through Niagara is astonishing. If Victoria Falls impresses with its scale

and natural surroundings, Niagara Falls impresses with its relentless power. Both are extraordinary in their own way, and I feel fortunate to have experienced them within just a few weeks of each other.

include a visit to a world-famous waterfall, so much the better!

Dips Sharma

Reflections As toastmasters, we often focus on the events themselves: the timings, the logistics, the ceremonies and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Yet sometimes the profession offers unexpected rewards beyond the function room. In the space of three months, I had the privilege of working at Hindu and Catholic weddings, meeting wonderful families, experiencing different cultures, revisiting my country of birth, exploring a new country and standing before two of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Not many professions provide opportunities quite like that. For me, these trips served as a reminder that being a toastmaster is about far more than making announcements and directing guests. It is about people, relationships, experiences and the unique journeys that come with helping families celebrate some of the most important days of their lives. And if those journeys occasionally

PUBLICIT It seems a long time ago now—and indeed it is, I suppose—back to a time when we still had rain! On the evening of 7th May, we held a Zoom forum to discuss ideas and experiences around publicising ourselves and our work. There was an excellent turnout, with a high percentage of active Toastmasters taking part. Those present included Mike, Martin, Ted, Peter, David, Tom, an unusually quiet Howard, Archie, Sharon and myself. Robert had intended to join us but had the best possible excuse for missing the meeting: he was dealing with a heart emergency in his role as a first responder. It was really good of him to drop in at the end of his shift—he must have been exhausted. The idea behind the forum was for everyone to share their experiences. Some of us are firmly in the dark ages when it comes to publicity, but we still have useful insights to offer. Others are much more tech-savvy and are exploring completely new approaches. Ultimately, it is up to each of us to decide what works best for our own business. Martin kicked off the evening by talking about wedding shows, an area in which he has been particularly successful. Some of the key takeaways were: • Be prepared to invest money in your 26

7TH MA

display—pop-up banners, brochures and business cards all help.

• Make it easy for people to contact you using QR codes and links to Facebook or Instagram. • Remember that you are selling yourself, face to face. • It often works well to have two people on the stand, perhaps with your partner. • Choose your wedding shows carefully and think about whether the audience is likely to book a Toastmaster. The discussion was lively and productive, and the general feeling was that wedding shows, if carefully selected and properly prepared for, can be an excellent source of bookings. Archie then took us into a completely different world. His main emphasis was on making full use of everything available through a Facebook Business page. The potential seemed almost limitless and, it has to be said, Archie’s enthusiasm is infectious. He has kindly offered to run a future forum on modern, technologybased marketing techniques. I, for one, will certainly be signing up for that. One of the topics Archie touched on was websites. I got the impression he feels they may be becoming a little old hat. Nevertheless, most of us still have one.

Y FORUM

AY 2026

Along with Instagram, I am frequently asked for my website address, so I think they still have an important role to play. However, they do need to be kept up to date. While browsing members’ websites through the NAT site, I was surprised by how many looked neglected. In most cases this was simply because the photographs or testimonials were dated from the last decade. The general impression this gives is that you may no longer be in business—or even alive! That’s hardly an incentive for a potential client to get in touch.

contributed—except Howard. He appeared to be fulfilling a purely observational role, which I found his silence slightly scary!

By the way, the work that has gone into refreshing the NAT website by Robert, Sharon, Archie and others has been absolutely terrific.

If anyone has ideas for future forum topics, either give me a call on 07753 638 427 or, better still, go ahead and organise one yourself.

A simple tip was to refresh your website regularly. You can even use ChatGPT to update and improve your copy—it’s quick, easy and surprisingly effective.

Geoff Harris

Personally, I think these forums are an excellent idea. We’ve held three this year: the Newly Qualified Forum, the Easter Quiz, and now the Publicity Forum. They provide an opportunity to stay in touch, exchange professional ideas and support one another in what can otherwise be quite a solitary profession.

The discussion also covered some forms of publicity that most people felt were best avoided: • Spending large sums on advertising in magazines. • Networking groups, where the general demographic is often not a good fit for Toastmasters. I think everyone who attended came away with something useful. Everyone 27

NO WIN, It started as a bit of a laugh when a Toastmaster colleague from Norfolk said that auditions were being held at Ipswich Town Football Club for a TV Quiz Show. It was too far for him to travel and he thought of me. It was 2003, I recently had had a few business issues and quite honestly money was tight and I thought why not! So, I attended the interview, answered a few questions and very quickly the offer to take part in the show came through by email.

answering a question. The contestants only meet on the day of the recording but in order to stay in the game, they must be able to predict the answers of the opponent, a game of bluff where the Host is happy to say “you’re out” because he then gets the prize money.

The show ran for 3 seasons from 20012003 at lunchtime/early afternoon and was produced for BBC by Hatrick Productions better know for shows like Have I got news for You, Father Ted and Room 101 and was filmed at Wembley Studios. The next stage to our studio was the setting for The Kumars.

The Show was the only Quiz Show where the host Paul Ross (Brother of Jonathan Ross) will only get paid if the contestant doesn’t win the prize of £4000.00. The premiss of the Show was a game of bluff, based on judgement of character and there was even the possibility of walking away with the prize without not actually

On arrival at the studio, we had already been advised to take 2 or 3 tops (without logos) with us and the studio wardrobe people took them away and ironed them and told us which one we were to wear. Prior to the briefing it was clear that some of the other people attending were serial contestants and make it a habit of trying to get onto different shows – didn’t I see you on Ann Robinsons show recently etc. There were a few reserves there too, presumably on a day off but promised £50 if they weren’t used! We had a bit of lunch then led off to makeup. Things were getting a bit serious now and then onto the set. What you don’t see behind the glitzy stage settings was just the basic backstage, a trestle table

NO FEE ! with plastic cups, soft drinks a couple of chairs to sit on, just rough and ready. We were then led onto the set to meet the Host, Paul Ross and given the briefing and a sound check. I can tell that’s when you get brain freeze. We all had to introduce ourselves and one of the guests said he was a Bookmaker. Could I get into my head that he worked in Betting – No! I wondered how he made books! Very strange even today how I don’t know how I didn’t understand that.

The Show started and there was lots of interaction between Paul Ross and the Production Team talking in his ear. We had to retake certain questions and situations to satisfy the Producer and even the final win question had to be retaken which ended a bit controversially to again satisfy the Producer. So, a game of bluff in which Paul asked a question to me and I had to think if whether the other contestant knew the answer or not. I got through 2 rounds correctly guessing the other contestant didn’t know … 1. What is a Connover’s Colossal – answer - a variety of Asparagus – I won - The lady said Onion commented after that she should have known it as she grows Asparagus!

2. Which number Symphony by Beethoven is known as the ‘Pastoral Symphony’. – answer 6 -I won as he said 11. 3. How many sides has a Dodecagon got – the answer is 12 and I said 20. I was thinking Latin -Duo and Decem 2 x 10= 20 instead of 2 + 10 = 12 so got it wrong. I asked him how he knew that and he said it was on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire a couple of weeks before! I’ve heard it so many times since then. So that was my Show over and had to sit down. All in all, a great experience, the only sad thing was that there was no audience but it shows just how easy it is to get the answers right at home but brain freeze gets you when the spotlight lands on you and I did get my train fare paid for. I managed to record the show which aired in 2004 and I have a copy. Rodger Oatley FNAT

Have you considere I’m not sure about handing in a “What I did on my holidays” essay as I believe TMV should be about Toastmasters stuff. However, our esteemed Editor has given the green light to this, so here goes. We missed the recent NAT Garden Party as we were in Glacier Bay, Alaska (some excuse!), having a wonderful time, as you all were, at the party. We started our holiday in Seattle, a great city and home to the works of Dale Chihuly, a glass artist we’ve seen in places as far apart as Murano and Kew Gardens. If you’re not familiar with his work look him up. It’ll be worth it. We boarded our cruise ship in Seattle for a 10-day cruise up Alaska’s inside passage with stops as diverse as Juneau (the state capital), Ketchikan, Skagway and Wrangell.

Rangers on board to give us a guided commentary as we sailed along. This is the glacier in all its glory:

Much as there were a lot of interesting people on board (Tim Peake, the astronaut, was a most accomplished guest speaker) it was the wild animals we came to see and the final roster was as follows: Humpback whales Grizzly bears California seals (males only, the females stay in California) Bald eagles in flight and at rest Harbor seals Sea otters And on one memorable day, a pod of Orcas (killer whales)

These places I’d barely heard of, let alone could place on a map. Despite being prepared for rain and the cold we experienced glorious weather with only one day of rain. One of the highlights of the cruise was cruising Glacier Bay right up to the Margerie Glacier which is a sight you never get in Mill Hill! Being 30 a US National Park we took some Park

We took a couple of excursions, one to the famed Mendenhall Glacier, and one jet boat to the LeConte Glacier. Both were truly memorable but the latter went past a host of icebergs before we spotted the Orcas at the foot of the glacier. The boat captain was so excited he took his own photographs to show his boss and also his father in case they didn’t believe him!

ed an Alaska cruise? This was them:

A really memorable cruise which included so much more. We got to see and experience sights that we wouldn’t usually come across on a warm weather holiday. Now, you certainly need to pick your time for an Alaska cruise but July certainly didn’t disappoint. But our holiday wasn’t over. After the cruise our daughter, who lives in Toronto, joined us on Vancouver Island for four days in a resort called Ucluelet, a world away from city life and memorable in its own way. Highlight of that stay was something I got to cross off my bucket list, namely a flight in a seaplane. Little short of amazing with a seat up front alongside the pilot.

Flying over the mountains in a single engine Cessna was borderline scary but truly remarkable. We even landed on a lake midway for some swimming before some coastline flying, which included spotting a grey whale from the air. Our four days on the island was too short, but we ended with a brief stay in Vancouver itself, another great city. If you’d like some more information from this one-time travel agent please get in touch and I’d be happy to give you the benefit of my experience.

Dale Chihuly glass

Hazel & Michael Myers in front of Margerie Glacier

MY FIRST SO TOASTM I have shadowed quite a few members of the NAT and those experiences have been invaluable – thank you Simon, Brian, Howard and Geoff. When I got that call from my first couple to book me for their wedding I was beyond excited. We had a discovery call, and the couple’s brief couldn’t have been clearer: strictly low-key….”No uniform, no announcements, no fuss,” . I was more than surprised and quite sad that I was not going to do my first debut in my uniform and it was going to be all very low key. What did they want me to wear? Nothing bright, understated and ‘muted’. They wanted a totally relaxed vibe with me just steering things quietly in the background. Since the groom was in the British Army, I pictured a crisp, punctual afternoon running with quiet, military efficiency. I tailored my whole plan around keeping a low profile and left my tailcoat at home. But if my first gig taught me anything, it’s that the true test of this job isn’t following the plan, it’s what you do when the plan gets tossed out the window.

So Much for “Low-Key”! The second the guests started arriving, the energy in the room was electric. “Low-key” was nowhere to be found. The place was buzzing, loud, and full of life. A huge group of the groom’s army mates were there, and they brought a level of cheer and energy that was rather loud! It took about five minutes for the couple to pull me aside with huge grins on their faces. The quiet background plan? Out the window. They wanted high energy, last-minute changes to the schedule, and big, bold announcements to match the mood of the room. Agility is the name of the game ! The rest of the day was an absolute whirlwindand an absolute blast. I was coordinating spontaneous moments alongside the wedding coordinator and belting out announcements over the joyful noise of a packed room. The groom’s military buddies were the life of the party, bringing amazing banter and so much warmth. My job became a delicate balancing act: keeping the day moving and on schedule, while giving everyone the space to have fun.

OLO GIG AS A MASTER

Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better trial by fire. It proved to me that being a Toastmaster isn’t about rigid scripts or fancy red coats. It’s about reading the room, adapting on the fly, and keeping your cool.

Sharon Jhheent

BECOMING I was delighted to be a Beadle for the first time for the Worshipful Company of Plumbers last July at their summer party at Trinity House.

Brian Lee - Beadle for the Worshipful Company of Plumbers

It took some time to be a Beadle, something I always wanted to do since I became a member of NAT. Whilst I have a steady flow of work “in Town” through my legal connections, that also extends to Shipping Companies, I always felt that being appointed a Beadle was considered the cream of City work.

I was delighted that Peter Thompson advertised through the WhatsApp group in mid 2025 stating that he was giving up being a Beadle to the Plumbers and would anybody be interested to be trained to take his position. I immediately replied. I’m not sure how many did but i attended my first meeting in October 2025, an installation of the Master with a church service taking place at Magnus the Martyr. A procession took place through the streets of London from the Livery Hall to the Church and then back again after the service. It was quite a fascinating event, pomp and ceremony, perambulations and quite a few speeches. It was quite overwhelming to think that one day I might be the Beadle , conducting events. It’s quite interesting when you become a member of NAT preparing for the exam which covers city events. Actually, being part of the event is another matter entirely. I would at this stage like to thank Peter for his patience with me. I am sure he had his doubts, but for me, learning from one of the best was a real privilege and pleasure. I attended about four other events with Peter introducing me to the important people within the Company, Master, Clerk etc and it appears they seem to like what they saw. Well I like to think so as I attended the summer party as a

A BEADLE

Brian Lee with Peter Thompson

Beadle for the first time. I was very confident I would not let Peter down nor indeed the Company. I know I made two mistakes, Peter of course picked up on both, but fortunately nothing was said by the Master, who was very complimentary about me and indeed said that the company look forward very much to working with me in the future. To all those members who aspire to be a Beadle, it will not happen overnight. You do need training, when an opportunity arises, which I am afraid to say, are very few and far between. For myself, I’m rather proud to be appointed the Beadle to the Worshipful Company of Plumbers and look forward very much to serving them In the future. I know my big test will come with their annual event at Mansion House with the Lord Mayor of London as principal guest. I shall certainly be seeking advice from Peter nearer the time Brian Lee 35

The Tamada and Two Traditions Every red coat has a story behind it, and every profession has an older cousin somewhere in history. For the British toastmaster, that cousin lives in Georgia, in the mountains between the Black and Caspian Seas, in the figure of the tamada. Put the two side by side and the resemblance is uncanny, right down to the instincts that make either one good at the job. The differences are just as telling.

Who Is the Tamada? At a Georgian supra, the traditional feast, no meal properly begins until a tamada has been chosen. The tamada is not simply an announcer. He is the one figure with the authority to open a toast, and every other guest may only build on the theme he sets. Georgians sometimes call him the dictator of the table, though a fairer comparison is to a leader, or even a teacher, since his real job is to guide the room through memory, celebration and connection, weaving toasts to ancestors, to the living, and to those yet to come. Historically his authority went further than presiding over toasts. A guest wishing to leave the table would ask the tamada’s permission first, and if granted, would be sent off with a toast of his own. The tamada was, in a very real sense, the person in charge of the room for the evening.

Who Is the Toastmaster? The British toastmaster in his/her red coat is a more recent invention, though the role they fill is recognisably similar. The distinctive scarlet tailcoat is generally credited to William Knightsmith (sometimes recorded as William Knight-Smith), who worked in London from around the 1890s. As the story is usually told, Knightsmith grew tired of being mistaken for a waiter or head butler at the events he worked, and at his wife’s suggestion, took up a huntsman’s “pink” coat to stand apart from the room. The jacket was then modified over the original huntsman’s cut, which had no tails, so that it mirrored evening dress, otherwise known as white tie, which includes a long black tailcoat. When the future Edward VII admired the coat and remarked on it favourably, other toastmasters quickly followed suit, and the red coat became the trade’s uniform. Even before Knightsmith, England had informal versions of the role. Richard “Beau” Nash held an unofficial but highly influential position in the city of Bath from around 1705, wearing a coloured frock coat and wielding a black cane he would bang on the floor to call the room to attention. James Toole, father of the actor John Lawrence Toole, is thought to have been one of the first

the Toastmaster s, One Purpose professional toastmasters in London during the 1840s, remembered in his obituary for his powerful voice and his skill at keeping large gatherings in order.

Choosing the right person for the Job This is where the two traditions diverge most sharply. A Tamada is not hired in the way a modern toastmaster is booked. At a small, informal supra, the role simply falls to the head of the household. At a mid-sized gathering, the table itself chooses, often by one senior guest proposing a name aloud, “Kote should be our tamada, shouldn’t he?”, with the others voicing agreement. If the nominee accepts, the first toast of the evening is drunk to him before he has even said a word. Only at the largest occasions, weddings and funerals, is a tamada selected in advance, and even then, it is a family choosing a trusted relative or friend known for the gift. The British toastmaster, by contrast, is engaged professionally, booked weeks or months ahead, briefed on running order, family names, and pronunciation, and paid for a service. They arrive as an outside expert brought in to manage the event, not a member of the party elevated by acclamation from within it. Where the tamada’s authority is granted by the table on the night, the

toastmaster’s authority is established beforehand, through his booking, his coat, and his reputation.

The Qualities That Make Either One Good Strip away the coat, or the absence of one, and the job descriptions are strikingly close. A good tamada needs to be quick witted and eloquent, able to say familiar things in a fresh way each time. They must be an organiser, deciding the rhythm of toasts and orchestrating singing or dancing between them so the table stays engaged. They need sensitivity, a feel for the room’s mood, noticing when a guest has drifted off and drawing them back in. And they need a certain forcefulness, because as the night wears on, getting a table to stop talking and raise a glass again takes real command. A good toastmaster is asked for almost exactly the same things, expressed in modern event language: a clear, commanding voice for announcements, the organisational skill to keep a wedding or banquet running to time, the sensitivity to read a room of guests who may never have met each other, and the quiet authority to bring a marquee full of people to order without ever seeming to shout. Where the tamada must also be, as tradition puts it, a good drinker

who never actually gets drunk, the modern toastmaster’s professionalism is judged by different standards, but the underlying demand for composure under pressure is the same.

Toasting Itself: Structure Versus Ceremony The two traditions also differ in what the toasting actually consists of. At a supra, toasting is the entertainment. The tamada proposes a theme, whether to the parents, to friendship, to those no longer at the table, and each guest in turn elaborates on it, competing gently to say something more original or more moving than the last speaker. An evening can involve a dozen or more such rounds, and the tamada alone decides when to move from one theme to the next. At a British wedding or banquet, by contrast, toasting is usually confined to a handful of set moments, the toast to the bride and groom, to absent friends, to the happy couple’s parents, and the toastmaster’s role is less to generate the content of the toasts than to announce the speakers, manage the timing, and hold the formal structure of the evening together. The toastmaster calls the room to order with his own formal cry before each speech; the tamada speaks the toast himself.

Two Traditions, One Instinct What is striking is not the gap in age but the closeness of the instinct. Both figures are doing the same essential work: reading a room, setting a tone, giving structure to celebration, and making sure that everyone present, and often those no longer present, are properly honoured. The tamada earns his authority through wit and warmth at the table itself, chosen by the room. The toastmaster earns theirs through training, presence, and the quiet command of a room built from experience and reputation.

So, Who Came First? The Tamada or William Knightsmith? The Georgian bronze statuette associated with the tamada tradition dates to the 7th century BC, unearthed near the ancient city of Vani in western Georgia, in the region once home to the old Kingdom of Colchis. William Knightsmith put on his first red coat in London around 1894.

So, who came first? The Tamada…..by roughly two and a half thousand years.

Robert Persell

The Tamada. Tbilisi, Georgia.

All contributions to be sent to richard@cambridgetoastmaster.com The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the NAT.