Two members of Edinburgh public speaking clubs gained wins at the Scottish Division Final of the World Championships of Public Speaking in Glasgow this weekend.
The World Championships of Public Speaking has been hosted by the Toastmasters International organisation since 1938.
Toastmasters is the world’s biggest public speaking organisation with 15,000 clubs around the world following their programme.
More than 10,000 people will compete from 140 countries around the world to have a chance to compete at this year’s final in Vancouver, Canada.The Scottish Division Final took place this weekend in the upper hall of Hillhead Library in Glasgow this weekend.
Division director of Toastmasters International in Scotland, Ronnie Smith, of Cardonald, Glasgow (photographed below) said: “The contest went well and we had a bigger attendance than usual.
“The hall was packed and the atmosphere was exciting.
“This obviously brought the best out of our competitors who gave incredible performances on the day.
“Public speaking is one of the biggest fears that many people have. For many people, this fear holds back their career and their life.
“Toastmasters clubs offer a supportive place to develop your speaking confidence and leadership skills. It’s worked for millions of people over the last 100 years. The best part is that it’s a lot of fun”.
When asked about whether the Toastmasters clubs in Edinburgh are open to new members he said: “Our clubs in Edinburgh are some of the best across the UK.
“They offer a fantastic opportunity for local residents of any level of experience to either take their public speaking skills to the next level or just take your first steps into getting rid of your fears. Right now, they are open to new membership.”
Speakers from 16 clubs around Scotland attended the event and three contests were held on the day.
The main focus was the International Speech contest where the winner has the chance to go through to the final and become World Champion Of Public Speaking.
Representatives of three Edinburgh Toastmasters clubs took part in the competition. Dilan Eren, who attends the Capital Communicators club came third in the International Speaking contest.
David McCrae of Edinburgh Advanced Toastmasters took second prize for the Evaluation contest and Patrick Bundy of Waverley Speakers took third place in the table topics contests.
Other winners include Gerry Dunn of Stirling Speakers who won the International Speech and James McGinty of Linlithgow Speakers who won the Evaluation and Table Topics contests.
Both speakers will now go through to the next round in Tralee, Ireland.
