Spa Speakers

Member’s Stories

We did it! We won the President’s Distinguished Award:)

We did it! We won the President’s Distinguished Award:)
Spa Speakers
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Spa Speakers

Spa Speakers is a lively public speaking club based in Leamington Spa. Our mission is to help people like you become more confident communicators and leaders, no matter what your current level and experience.

The best way to find out if it’s for you is to try it! Visit us as a guest, totally free, with no obligation to join, and see if we have something to offer you.
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Latest posts by Spa Speakers (see all)

It’s time to celebrate: Spa Speakers has achieved the President’s Distinguished Club Award in 2017/2018! Woohoo! It’s the 12th time the club has won the highest accolade on the Distinguished Club Program in the 14 years we’ve been going and demonstrates…

By Spa Speakers | 10th June 2018 | Club Business, Member's Stories, Officer Training |
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Joining Spa Speakers: Louise’s Story

Joining Spa Speakers: Louise’s Story
Louise Weickert

Louise Weickert

Former Vice President of Public Relations and Secretary at Spa Speakers
In my day job I am a developer of environmental management information systems. Like the majority of our members I joined because I wanted to improve my presentation skills. I am married and have 2 sons. If I’m not on the sidelines watching my kids' sporting triumphs I like to run (slowly) and we also have an allotment which needs regular TLC.
Louise Weickert

Latest posts by Louise Weickert (see all)

Dear Toastmasters, Louise Weickert, who has served on the committee and has achieved the Advanced Communicator Bronze and Advanced Leader Bronze awards has shared her story with Spa Speakers. Big thanks to Louise for this article, and for her ongoing…

By Louise Weickert | 7th June 2018 | Member's Stories, repost |
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Congratulations Fiona, Area 39 Evaluation Champion!

Congratulations Fiona, Area 39 Evaluation Champion!
Spa Speakers
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Spa Speakers

Spa Speakers is a lively public speaking club based in Leamington Spa. Our mission is to help people like you become more confident communicators and leaders, no matter what your current level and experience.

The best way to find out if it’s for you is to try it! Visit us as a guest, totally free, with no obligation to join, and see if we have something to offer you.
Spa Speakers
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Latest posts by Spa Speakers (see all)

Fiona Clayton knocked it out of the park again! On 8th April, she went head-to-head with the 5 best speech evaluators in our area and proved the quality of her craft by taking the top spot at the contest! Absolutely…

By Spa Speakers | 9th April 2018 | Area Event, Club Business, Division Event, Member's Stories, Toastmasters UK & Ireland |
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Two STARs in one month!

Two STARs in one month!
Spa Speakers
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Spa Speakers

Spa Speakers is a lively public speaking club based in Leamington Spa. Our mission is to help people like you become more confident communicators and leaders, no matter what your current level and experience.

The best way to find out if it’s for you is to try it! Visit us as a guest, totally free, with no obligation to join, and see if we have something to offer you.
Spa Speakers
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Latest posts by Spa Speakers (see all)

We’ve been awarding members who have made an extraordinary leap in their speaking or have contributed to the club in an exceptional way our STAR award on a monthly basis. This March, we saw fit to award two STAR awards…

By Spa Speakers | 30th March 2018 | Club Business, Fun and Social, Leadership, Member's Stories |
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Joining Spa Speakers: Zoe’s Story

Joining Spa Speakers: Zoe’s Story
Zoe Eccleson

Zoe Eccleson

Much loved former Vice President of Membership at Spa Speakers
Like many I joined Spa Speakers purely to improve my public speaking techniques. My professional background is within Project Management where I worked for 13 years on numerous Telecommunications and Highways projects. I love most sport but after several injuries, I reluctantly decided to hang up my football boots and gracefully retire taking up tennis as my new chosen sport! I am married to Peter and have 2 children (Rory & Zara).
Zoe Eccleson

Latest posts by Zoe Eccleson (see all)

  Our former Vice President of Membership shares what her first 9 months at Spa Speakers was like! I’ve been attending Toastmaster meetings at Spa Speakers for nearly 9 months now. I remember the first night I attended in mid…

By Zoe Eccleson | 6th January 2018 | Member's Stories |
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Speaking and leading with confidence, thanks to Spa Speakers

Speaking and leading with confidence, thanks to Spa Speakers
Fiona Clayton
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Fiona Clayton

Former President and Social Secretary at Spa Speakers
I sought out Spa Speakers because I work with some very good public speakers and I was inspired to improve my own communication skills. But I didn’t realise just how much I would benefit. My confidence to stand up and speak in front of others has grown massively and this has been noticed by my work colleagues. By taking part in a number of roles in the club I believe I’ve become a better leader and facilitator.
Fiona Clayton
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Latest posts by Fiona Clayton (see all)

I find I never know when my Spa Speakers experience is going to come in handy but when those moments arrive the confidence to stand up and have my voice heard is very reassuring. I was recently at an Amnesty…

By Fiona Clayton | 3rd December 2017 | Leadership, Member's Stories, repost |
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Michael Roberts, Our Travelling Toastie!

Michael Roberts, Our Travelling Toastie!
Michael Roberts-Owen

Michael Roberts-Owen

Member at Spa Speakers
With a degree in Animal Science and Health, a strong interest in research, and a love of farm animals, I ended up working in a livestock research centre.I recently started my master’s degree in Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology, which I am doing part time around my existing job.Ultimately I want to get my PhD (in parasitology, of course).Alas, this sort of thing is much better for people who can speak in front of other people, which is how I ended up joining Spa Speakers.
Michael Roberts-Owen

Latest posts by Michael Roberts-Owen (see all)

A couple of months back, I came across an e-mail about “Travelling Toasties”.  The idea is for club members to visit other clubs, with the aim of supporting them and also gaining insight into other ways of running their own…

By Michael Roberts-Owen | 10th November 2017 | Fun and Social, Leadership, Member's Stories, Toastmasters UK & Ireland |
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Fuel Not Fear: Seeing Failure Differently

Fuel Not Fear: Seeing Failure Differently
Harriet Cummings
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Harriet Cummings

Novelist, script writer and member at Spa Speakers
Harriet is a debut novelist with a background in history of art and gender studies. As a script writer, she’s had work performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as independent venues around London. While studying at Faber Academy, Harriet threw herself into her first novel and hasn’t looked back since. We are very lucky to have her as our Vice President of Education.
Harriet Cummings
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Latest posts by Harriet Cummings (see all)

My name is Harriet Cummings and I am a failure. I’ve failed at many things throughout my life so far – from my grade 7 piano exam, to learning French and baking cheese soufflette. But why am I telling you…

By Harriet Cummings | 23rd October 2017 | Member's Stories, repost, Speaking Tips |
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Marina O’Callaghan, DTM and founder member of Spa Speakers shares her story

Marina O’Callaghan, DTM and founder member of Spa Speakers shares her story
Marina O'Callaghan

Marina O'Callaghan

Founder member and DTM at Spa Speakers
Marina has had a truly distinguished career with Toastmasters. Since joining Oxford Speakers Club in late 2000, she has been a VPM, a Club President and Area Governor, helped launch two clubs (Spa Speakers and Bicester Achievers Club), and has earned the highest award at Toastmasters, the fabled Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM). Marina is currently taking a break due to health reasons, though still mentors 2 very lucky Toastmasters.
Marina O'Callaghan

Latest posts by Marina O'Callaghan (see all)

Dear Spa Speakers, Marina O’Callaghan was an instrumental figure in founding Spa Speakers and kindly shared her account of how our favourite club got off the ground back in 2004. Thank you Marina, we continue to benefit from the great…

By Marina O'Callaghan | 18th October 2017 | Club Business, Leadership, Member's Stories, repost |
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Read Bill Bate’s account of joining Spa Speakers

Read Bill Bate’s account of joining Spa Speakers
Spa Speakers
Follow Spa!

Spa Speakers

Spa Speakers is a lively public speaking club based in Leamington Spa. Our mission is to help people like you become more confident communicators and leaders, no matter what your current level and experience.

The best way to find out if it’s for you is to try it! Visit us as a guest, totally free, with no obligation to join, and see if we have something to offer you.
Spa Speakers
Follow Spa!

Latest posts by Spa Speakers (see all)

    Spa Speaker and man of many talents Bill Bates shares his experience of contesting at his very first Toastmasters speech contest. This is a great read thanks to Bill’s brilliant writing skills and genuine, humble nature. Click here…

By Spa Speakers | 12th October 2017 | Fun and Social, Member's Stories |
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