Media Coverage
Over the years the club has been featured on the radio, in local newspapers and magazines. Here are a selection of pieces from over the years.
Range of debates at Speechmasters
The latest meeting of the Prestwick Speechmasters saw debates on a range of topics. Robert Forrester tackled trophy hunting. George Wilson spoke on “Football Frustrations” such as bullying, racism and chanting. Douglas Moore focused on the life and times of Australian polar explorer, George Herbert Wilkins.
Speech therapy forthe newyear
Prestwick Speechmasters got their new year off to a flying start when former Merchant Navy officer, Iain McLean, told members about his favourite city of Rome.
Michael Litton spoke on cruises – from the Caribbean to the Norwegian Fiords.
But tales of a sickness bug on board a Baltic cruise had everyone wishing for dry land.
Meanwhile, Robert Forrester recounted the tragedy of the 100 years anniversary of the sinking of the Iolair off Stornoway.
He covered the tragic events in a precise manner from it setting sail from Kyle, which saw 201 drown with only 79 survivors.
Sadly the ship only had 80 life jackets and two life boats and a partially untrained crew.
Had it not set sail, and it should not, the loss of loved ones might never have happened.
Jack Quinn was chairman at the latest meeting of Prestwick Speechmasters.
The first speech by Iain Mclean was entitled ‘ A Rugby Player’ and he talked about the players who had his admiration in the position of full back, including Ken Scotland, Andy Irvine and Gavin Hastings as well as JPR Williams and Sergio Blanco.
The second speech ‘ An Engineer’ by Michael Litton included static engineers like Brunel and Telford and dynamic engineers such as Diesel and James Watt. The story no one knew was about Bradford Sewage Works, a brilliant success and one of the few projects of its kind to make money.
Arthur Maxwell rounded off the evening with a history of airships. Some were surprised to hear of zeppelin raids on Edinburgh, as well as many on the south and east of England.
His title ‘ A Dilemma’ came from the story of a fishing boat master who opted not to save the crew of a crashed zeppelin, leaving them to die as he feared for the lives of his crew if he rescued them.
The families of the fishing boat captain and some of the dead crew were brought together recently and a reconciliation took place.
Speechmasters inspired by phrases
Prestwick Speechmasters drew another good attendance and heard some interesting views on a variety of topics at their latest Monday night meeting.
George Brown explored the phrase “Never Say Never” while “Who is to Blame” was tackled by Richard Wiggins on the crash of a Boeing aircraft in 1983.
The third speech by Wellwood Grierson explored the history of Bamburgh Castle and its owners, the Armstrong family.
The evaluator, Jack Quinn, was kind to all the speakers, and congratulated the new President, Jim McCreadie, for slotting effortlessly into his new position.
The new session of the Prestwick Speechmasters began with good attendance, despite illness and holidays. The club enjoyed a visit from three visitors, including two ladies who became the first in the club’s history to attend. New President, Jim McCreadie, moved into his new role. Chairman for the evening was Wellwood Grierson. Speakers were Jim, Hugh Currie and Arthur Maxwell. Evaluator for the session was Jim Allan.
Speechmasters
Prestwick Speechmasters president Douglas Moore opened the meeting by describing a day out with his wife to Rothesay.
Chairman Jim McClure opened the meeting by explaining why the Financial Times is coloured pink.
The first speech, titled I Do, was delivered by Ian McVey and was an account of the famous battle of The Alamo.
The second speech was given by Michael Gledhill. Titled ‘ The Academy’, it described Malawi in Africa several years ago.
In ‘ A Red He r r ing ’ Wellwood Grierson talked about the plight of Irish peasants escaping the potato famine along the Southern Upland Way.
The final speech was by Hugh Currie, who highlighted the benefits of walking.
The topics covered a wide range of subjects such as litter louts, pilotless cars, looking after the elderly, traffic lights, Big Ben, human rights and black box technology.
The evaluator was Michael Litton.
Mike stepping down as chief Speechmaster
Prestwick Speechmasters President Michael Gledhill will stand down at the AGM.
He will be a hard act to follow as he lost none of his sparkle in the last speaking meeting of 2014- 15, with comments on Richard the Third, the Eclipse and the 1956 Laws on Segregation. Chairman Jack Quinn paid a nostalgic visit to his old school telling colleagues of his days there and took them on a tour of the building recalling happy times as a pupil.
If the Speechmasters ever hold a vote for Chairman of the year Jack must be well in the running for top spot. In this session he was in sublime form, with anecdotes and jokes. As a prelude to the individual topics the members were asked to spell out their cooking skills. The ensuing confessions showed that while they were good speakers, Jamie Oliver can sleep easy.
The evaluator is not normally asked to take a topic but Ian Jamieson was allocated “If I became PM”. This was superb, with him revising the Rules and Regulations, in a most humorous vein, of the Speechmasters.
In the first speech Michael Litton recalled “Paris in the Spring” and a visit he made to this beautiful City. Jim Canning, in the “Object offering”, produced a picture of Paisley Pattern and spoke at length of many parts and products of Renfrewshire. George Deed told of “My day in Court” and reminisced on several visits, some serious, some humorous. George Brown had the privilege of the last address and had the title “A Good Wee Bank” and gave an exceptionally detailed history of the Airdrie Savings Bank. Ian Jamieson then brought the curtain down on the assembly with a most erudite evaluation.