A successful speakers club that has just won a prestigious trophy is appealing for more people from the Mansfield area to get involved.

Newark Speakers Club, which starts its new season in September, has members from Warsop and Ravenshead, but is keen to attract new ones from the Mansfield and Ashfield area.

A spokesman said: “We aim to help people become better speakers, better presenters and better leaders.

“When you join you will be guided to deliver a series of speeches and will receive constructive feedback from fellow members.
“You will learn to listen attentively, speak “off the cuff”, hold an audience, and move them to laughter, tears and action.

“You will learn to speak confidently and effectively in front of people in a fun and friendly environment.”

Newark Speakers Club recently won the annual Adams Apple speaking competition for the first time in its 28-year history, competing against clubs including Nottingham, Derby and Loughborough.

The area event saw teams speak on the phrase “Glass Half Full”.

There were four-strong teams with a chairman, who introduced links and closed the 15-minute set, which included three members speaking about one of the words.

Newark’s first speaker spoke about the times before glass windows were made, how glass is made, and the many uses of glass that we could not do without.

The second speaker talked about what people could do in half an hour — a 30-minute meal from a popular cookery book, 30 minutes reading each day to complete a novel for a book group discussion, and planning time to achieve goals.

To conclude, advice about healthy living and trying for the full marathon running challenge, which will help to ward off dementia and improve motor neurone skills, was given.

The club, established in 1981, is part of the Association of Speakers Clubs, which has more than 12,000 clubs spread across eight districts.

For more information on the club, which has members from a wide area, including Lincoln, Grantham, Southwell and Bingham, go to www.newarkspeakers.org.uk

The club is also on Facebook