Good Morning Victorians! ☀️

Spring has sprung - Flourishing greenery, al fresco drinking and sun soaked evenings sat in the park are all top of the agenda for the months ahead.

Winter, you won’t be missed…in fact, if the last season was a toastmaster, the title of their speech would be ‘relentless wind, rain and misery’ and the evaluation would go something like this…

Winter, your speech today was as crisp as a frosty morning. You immediately captured our attention with your opening: “Brace yourselves, I’m here to stay.” That was both dramatic and foreboding—excellent use of suspense!”

A recommendation for next time: While your message about "embracing the chill" was clear, it may have been too frosty for some. A sprinkle of humour—perhaps a joke about how even coffee can't stay hot in your presence—might have added a bit more relatability.

Overall, Winter, your speech was cool, compelling, and left an impact—though I can’t say I’ll be sad when Spring takes the stage next. Well done.

 Club Update

International Speech and Evaluation Area Contest

Lucy and Florian placed 2nd in the recent Area B18 Speech and Evaluation Contest held in Southwark—a true derby match showcasing strong competition between our Victoria-based clubs, London Victorians and London Cardinals.

Their achievements show Victorians at its shining best and we look forward to following their journey as they progress to District level.

The District Contest will be held on the 22nd March at the University of Law in central London. This will be an all day event with two interactive sessions including how to get your point across with the master of debating Paul Carroll and ‘the wizardry of word-craft’ by multi award winning Glen Savage.

It promises to be an eventful day. Come to support our members and join in for an afternoon of networking with fellow toastmasters.

Link to tickets here 👇

 Member Spotlight

This month, we spotlight Nonika, one of our more experienced members. Here's what Nonika had to say…

Reflecting on your journey, how has Toastmasters helped you in your personal and professional life?

As a non-native English speaker, I needed more confidence in speaking, especially in impromptu situations. Toastmasters has helped me build that confidence through regular practice and valuable guidance from others.

If you could deliver a speech to any audience in the world, who would it be and why?

I would love to deliver a speech to young professionals starting their careers, inspiring them to embrace challenges and grow through every experience.

What’s a public speaking tip or technique you swear by?

A public speaking tip I swear by is practice and perseverance—consistent effort helps improve your skills and feel more comfortable over time.

New Members

We’re excited to welcome our newest members to the London Victorians family! This month, we’re thrilled to introduce:

 What’s Next 

Join us at our Open House Event!

Looking to overcome public speaking nerves in a relaxed and fun atmosphere? Our Open House is the perfect opportunity to improve your communication skills and gain confidence in front of an audience.

📅 Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
⏰ Time: 18:30 – 20:45
📍 Location: Wellington Hotel by Blue Orchid
🔗 Register Here: Eventbrite

This interactive session includes engaging activities to boost your speaking abilities, along with expert tips on delivering impactful presentations and conquering stage fright. Don’t miss out—come experience the magic of Toastmasters!

Membership Renewal Period:

The current membership cycle ends in two weeks, and we hope to see all of you continue as part of the London Victorians family!

Membership Fees: £35/month
6-Month Renewal: £210
Special Offer! 1-Year Renewal – Save £50! Pay £370 instead of £420

This is a great opportunity to commit to your public speaking journey while enjoying some savings. Don't miss out—renew today!

Your renewal can be paid by bank transfer (details in the WhatsApp group, or card payment:

6 Months Renewals: Link here.

12 Months Renewals (save £50): Link here.

Enlightening Insights

We have all heard of exposure therapy - the idea that confronting fears can help over come them. But have you heard of exposure therapy for public speaking?

This is exactly what Dr Chris Macdonald, the founder of the Immersive Technology Lab at Cambridge University is trying to simulate with a new Public Speaking VR platform.

People using the technology can practise speaking in various virtual reality (VR) settings, from an empty classroom or small audiences of photorealistic figures that yawn and scratch, to a stadium of 10,000 spectators, with the option to add distractions such as flashing cameras and loud noises.

Try it out here…https://www.virtualrealitypublicspeaking.com/.

Is this the next step for public speaking, bringing it into the digital age, or does this just reinforce people’s fear avoidance, only you can decide…

📣Feedback Zone 📣

Got ideas to elevate our club or jazz up our events and newsletter? Share your thoughts at [email protected] and help shape our future!