Brendoncare Haven Club, Mudeford

On March 5, I gave my fourth talk this year for a Brendoncare Club Dorset meeting, this time for the Haven Club which meets at All Saints Church, Mudeford in Dorset, a venue where I have often enjoyed speaking. My topic was Patrick Campbell and I wondered how this, one of my more literary talks, would be received at a pensioners' club of this nature where I had never spoken before (I usually tend to give this presentation on my second or third booking for any group, after delivering my own experiences, anecdotes and observations in My Life as a Freelance Comedy Writer or The Power of Humour in Everyday Life for earlier visits) but I was given a great build-up in the introduction and I was really pleased with the response from the 40 or so members and helpers present.

So, to summarise my talks for this organisation this year:

1. Alpha Club, subject Patrick Campbell (return visit), well-received.
2. Juniper Jumpers Club, subject The Power of Humour in Everyday Life, a struggle!
3. Castle Club, subject The Power of Humour in Everyday Life, a great response!
4. Haven Club, subject Patrick Campbell, very good.

On this basis, I would be happy to speak to other clubs run by this organisation (perhaps after asking a few questions about each) and to accept bookings to return to most of these clubs.

Public Speaking Tip #294: If you speak to a number of groups run by the same organisation, you cannot assume that the audience response will be the same in each case. You need to try a few and then decide what questions to ask if you approached about speaking to more.

What I have observed is that Brendoncare and its volunteer helpers do a fantastic job in running these clubs for OAPs, providing transport and refreshments and entertainment for people, many of whom might otherwise be totally isolated in our increasingly ageist society.