THE beginning of 2006 saw the start of the second half of the Speakers' season.

It was pleasing to welcome two members who had joined this season to give their first speeches.

This first speech is for us all the most daunting but once done it gives he speaker that bit of confidence to start the journey of learning to speak in public with confidence. Andrew and Abigail - partners in life - decided to start their training giving their first speeches on the same night.

How different each speech was - Abigail concentrating on describing her reasons for wanting to develop her speaking skills whilst Andrew delivered a very thought provoking speech on a subject he felt strongly about.

Then two experienced evaluators gave both speakers some positive feedback on their delivery and encouraged both to move swiftly on to their next assignment. It was then the turn of Marion to give her fourth speech, demonstrating how to incorporate gestures into a speech to emphasise important points.

It was an evening of firsts - Kashmir lead the "impromptu" sessions very effectively and it was a first for Susan Young who gave an extremely concise and constructive evaluation of the whole evening.

The next meeting of the club is the Evaluation Contest. Members are encouraged to take part - but those not wishing to compete serve as a valued audience. A fellow speaker from the Solihull club will be giving the speech to be evaluated.

At the beginning of February members are to support Rhoda Lingard as she competes with others to move into the semi-final of impromptu speaking to become a finalist at the National Competition to be held in Carlisle in April.

If you are interested in learning how to speak in public with confidence come along to take a look at us - we meet alternative Tuesdays at 7.30 for 7.45pm at the Quality Hotel, Redditch. For more details, call Jim Fitzpatrick on 63596 or visit www.redditchspeakersclub.co.uk