MALVERN Speakers continues to go from strength to strength. Retiring at the end of her year as president Hilary Benoit, reported that after just three years of existence the club had achieved the designation of President’s Select Distinguished Club, placing it among the top 10 per cent of clubs worldwide under a Toastmasters International classification scheme. A new committee takes over from July 1 under the presidency of Elaine Watt from Martley.

In the midst of the prevailing feverish political atmosphere, conservation officer Andrew Dixon scrapped his planned speech and gave a thought-provoking talk on the implications of Brexit for environmental protection, throwing light on the ramifications of the outcome of the June 23 referendum. He gave local examples of areas protected by EU Directives – for example the Wye Valley and the Severn Estuary, as well as protective legislation for species such as bats and dormice also the Water Framework and Bathing Water Directives which protect water quality. The future of all this legislation would now have to be addressed following the Brexit vote.

The other main speech, by incoming president Elaine Watt, was about our habits, good and bad, and how they could be used to improve our lives. Habits, she concluded, could be our best friends or our worst enemies. In a lively table topics session, impromptu speakers were invited by Rob Allen to talk about a variety of travel experiences. Delays when flying with a very young baby, a bus trip to the DMZ between South and North Korea, and Nick Banks’ winning account of his mixed experiences of using Coventry Airport were among the subjects covered by the six members who took part.

Next meeting will be at the usual venue, The Great Malvern Hotel, at 7.30pm on Tuesday July 12. Guests and new members are always welcome.

COLIN JACKSON