Some public speaking requires you to sit and deliver!
Southbourne Ladies Group, BournemouthI had an evening booking on 22 July, the day after my three-talk marathon. It was for Southbourne Ladies Group who meet in one of their member's houses in Bournemouth.I have occasionally spoken in private homes over the years including talks for writers' circles and one group which was part of the National Women's Register. Even a fairly large lounge can seem a little 'cosy' with a dozen or more people sitting there and in these .circumstances, I really would recommend that the

3 talks, 3 topics, 3 towns - in one day?
Morning, afternoon and evening presentations on different subjects on the same dayTwo years ago I blogged about how I was offered a choice of two dates for a booking, one of which would have meant my having three engagements in one day so I chose the alternative. But I was left with a curiosity about what this would be like so when a similar opportunity arose for July 21 this year I took it. The venues were all in Hampshire and Dorset and within fairly easy reach of each other - even by public transport - but I did have the challenge that three different topics were involved, each wit

Your presentations are their own best advert
Totton South U3A, HampshireOn 16 July I delivered my talk My Life as a Freelance Comedy Writer for around 45 members of Totton South U3A in the town's Masonic Hall. It was a successful talk and was followed by a good question and answer session.My thanks to Dr John Dracass for the lift from Southampton Central and back to Totton station afterwards.In Totton, I picked up a copy of a local weekly magazine and noticed that its classified section had a section for Speakers. A few were using this to advert

An audience worthy of a Mengham!
Mengham Women's Institute, Hayling IslandI gave an evening talk on 8 July to Mengham Women's Institute on Hayling Island. Although technically in Hampshire, they are actually part of the West Sussex Federation.I had only been to the island once before and that was later at night so it was fascinating to see the place in daylight. The WI meet in the hall of the South Hayling United Reformed Church in Mengham village.There were about 35 ladies there and my talk on

A 'handy' hint for public speakers!
Monks Brook U3A, HampshireOn 1 July, I spoke about the Power of Humour in Everyday Life to around 90 members of Monks Brook U3A at St Boniface Church Hall in Chandlers Ford.Regular readers may remember that last year I was plagued with a skin problem (eventually diagnosed as eczema) on my feet. This was only visible to my audience in as much as it meant my having