A RELATIVELY new club in Bromsgrove marked its first anniversary last week, with a special cake and some fun activities.

Bromsgrove Speakers Club, which meets every fortnight on a Tuesday evening, provides members with the chance to overcome any fears they might have of public speaking, and practice their presentation skills.

The club aims to develop members’ confidence and communication skills, so that they feel comfortable facing anyone, from the rest of the club members, to a meeting at work, or even giving a presentation.

Club members spent the anniversary meeting enjoying two short speeches from club members, followed by an impromptu speaking session, which was just for fun. There was also a special anniversary cake, which had been specially commissioned for the evening, and Eric Baker, vice-president of the Nation Association of Speakers’ Clubs came along to present the club with a charter recognising it as a full member of the association.

He said: "We are delighted to see Bromsgrove Speakers Club has thrived in their first year and we look forward to seeing the club grow and support the members over the next 12 months.”

The club also received a visit from Anne Eldridge, the Midlands district president of the Association of Speakers Clubs, who presented members Anne Scrimshaw and Chris Barnett, with certificates to mark their successful completion of the first five assignments in the association's training programme.

For more information on the club, which welcomes new members, visit bromsgrovespeakers.org.uk.