Posts Tagged ‘donington’

The Division E competition took place at Donington Park racing circuit, which wasn’t a very good venue as it was difficult to find (we got sent to the wrong part of the circuit) and very cold inside their buildings slash sheds, but on the plus side we did get to look round the Formula One museum section.

Having previously won the club competition and area competition, I travelled down to Donington to take part in the Division E humorously speaking competition. Division E covers an area from Royal Leamington Spa and above – the North of England and Scotland.

I got flattened at the competition, I didn’t even place. This was disappointing as while I thought I was well beaten for first place, I thought I might have done enough to get in the top three. But live and learn, the next competition starts in March, and that one ends in the World Championship of Public Speaking.

Last month, I entered the Leeds City club competition of the Toastmasters humorous speaking contest. In a bit of a bookies upset, I won, which resulted in my proceeding on to the area level competition.

I had done quite a lot of preparation going in to it – Dinesh had volunteered to come over and evaluate it, I also did it in front of my parents and sister, as well as going to the other Toastmasters club based in Leeds, White Rose, to gather more feedback.

The day itself didn’t start too well though – having avoided the colds going around all week, I was finally struck down on the morning and when I phoned up to check what time I needed to be there, it turns out I was late! So I dragged myself out the door as soon as possible and made it half way through the introductions.

Luckily, my illness didn’t show through too much and in the end I must have done something right, as I ended up winning this one as well!

This means…

A) I’m currently the reigning champion for Area 15 (an area that covers South and West Yorkshire).

B) I proceed on to the division competition. I’m part of Division E, which is an area that covers the North of England and Scotland as well. That takes place in Donington later this month!