Richard Birtchnell is The London Toastmaster
There is no doubt that 2020 has been an extremely tough year for all of us in some way or other. That is why, more than ever before, I send you Christmas wishes for health and happiness, and hope for a much better New Year and 2021. Stay safe and well.
Thank you to digital marketing agency, Blue Square Management and their video production services for creating this Christmas wishes animation.
Back in August of last year, I was hired as a wedding Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies for a Muslim wedding at Addington Palace in Croydon. It began with smoke to accompany the arrival of the groom on his horse and ended with aerobatic fireworks from Aerosparx motor gliders.
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 01
Microphone test and ready for action
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 02
The Bride’s family ladies ready to greet the Groom’s
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 03
The Bride’s family gentlemen ready to greet the Groom’s
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 04
The Groom sets off on horse
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 05
Colourful smoke as Groom arrives
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 06
The hall at Addington Palace is ready for Nikah (Muslim wedding)
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 07
300 guests seated for Nikah
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 08
Marquee ready for celebrations. Large LED screen
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 09
Sofa on stage ready for couple
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 10
The Groom enters with family
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 11
The Bride enters with father
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 12
The couple on stage
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 13
Dhol players ready
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 14
The dancing gets underway
Muslim Weddign at Addington Palace Croydon 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies 15
Myself with bride’s family at the end of a long happy day and as always a privilege to participate.
Richard Birtchnell, aka The London Toastmaster, has yeas of experience as a wedding Toastmaster, Master of Ceremonies and MC for Asian weddings (Muslim, Hindu and Sikh). Contact him on 020 7730 3725 to check his availability.
This time of year we would be in the midst of the tennis championships at Wimbledon and home to the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club. Unfortunately, due to COVID19 and the Coronavirs pandemic, like many sporting events throughout the world, it has to be cancelled. So I decided to post this photo of myself from last year, on the eve of the Championships at Wimbledon. This is as close as I will ever get to putting my hands on the trophy. If only I had practised more…
Event Host & MC at Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2019 by Richard Birtchnell The London Toastmaster
Richard Birtchnell, aka The London Toastmaster, has yeas of experience as a corporate Event Host, Toastmaster, Master of Ceremonies and MC for many years. Contact him on 020 7730 3725 to check his availability.
Back in June of last year, I was hired as event host and MC for a China-UK Economic and Trade Summit held at the Guildhall in the City of London
Event Host For China UK Economic Trade Summit 2019 by London Toastmaster Richard Birtchnell 01
Event Host For China UK Economic Trade Summit 2019 by London Toastmaster Richard Birtchnell 02
Backstage With my co-host and translator Annie at a Chinese Gala Dinner at the Guildhall in the City of London. Behind us is an enormous video wall 8 metres by 4 metres.
Richard Birtchnell, aka The London Toastmaster, has yeas of experience as a corporate Event Host, Toastmaster, Master of Ceremonies and MC for many years. Contact him on 020 7730 3725 to check his availability.
While going through my photos of past events, I came across the launch of the MG ZS EV, a new all-electric car, where I was hired as Master of Ceremonies and Toastmaster. The launch took places at the Chinese-owned MG Headquarters, MG Motor UK Ltd, in Marylebone, London. Quite a contrast from the 1938 MG displayed at the entrance.
This is a rare 1938 MG WA Sports Saloon. Only 369 were made.
It’s 16 feet long, 6 cylinders 2.5 litre. It will never be sold but I would love to ride around in it.
Specs of the MG WA Sports saloon.
Ready to welcome guests
The new all-electric MG ZS EV
A ‘Face-Changing’ artiste about to perform the ancient art of ‘Bilin Lian’ where he will change several masks in the blink of an eye.
Selfie with masked artiste
Traditional Chinese music from Silk and Bamboo ensemble
With the Silk and Bamboo ensemble and international soprano Chen Wang
Richard Birtchnell, aka The London Toastmaster, has yeas of experience as a corporate Event Host, Toastmaster, Master of Ceremonies and MC for many years. Contact him on 020 7730 3725 to check his availability.
Firstly, in these uncertain times, I hope you and your family are safe and well. Secondly, as large social gatherings are not possible, I have decided to create posts about past event that I have had the privilege to attend and be hired as a Toastmaster or Master of Ceremonies.
Here I am acting as MC at Indian wedding at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London for Aliza and Nikhil.
Back in July of last year I was hired as a wedding Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies for a Muslim wedding celebration at the Victoria & Albert Museum. The first two pictures show the beginning and the end. Other pictures in between show chronological sequence of events of a ‘Night At The Museum’ …
Welcoming guests at Cromwell Road entrance 6.30pm
Holding the horses and carriage for bride and groom’s departure at 11pm
Suppliers can’t access the building until it is clear of the public – that’s about 5.30pm
Staging, lighting, sound, music, photography, catering, decor and operational staff all wait to enter and have only one hour to set up before guests arrive
Small civil wedding to start with… close family only. But this will be the FIRST EVER civil ceremony the V&A will ever have allowed having just received their licence.
Groom awaits Bride
Bride on her way accompanied by Mum
The two are joined
Group photos in the garden
Couple shots
Reception begins
Tables ready in the Raphael cartoon gallery for the dinner
The only way I can get to see the Mary Quant exhibition during brief downtime
In front of the St George altarpiece
Amazing artwork from 15th century made in Spain
Couple with Mums
Bride’s Dad makes speech
Family table
Couple shot
Couple prepare to depart
Horse and carriage awaits
In these uncertain times I wanted to post images of what I love to do… and that is meeting interesting people of all walks of life. Back in July 2019 I met the Duke of Cambridge and Melinda Gates. I just LOVE my job!
Photo courtesy of Reuters
Back in 2019, I was hired as a wedding Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies for an Indian wedding at The Grove, Watford. Here are six Rollers ready for family members
Indian wedding the weather was hot, even hotter than Mumbai!
Richard Birtchnell, aka The London Toastmaster, has yeas of experience acting as an Asian wedding Toastmaster, Master of Ceremonies and MC all over London, the South East and even internationally. Contact him on 020 7730 3725.
Back at the beginning of February of this year, I was hired as an event host at the Sheraton Grand Park Lane hotel for an event. Perfect example of original Art Deco features, meticulously restored, unique in London
The Foyer of the Sheraton Grand Park Lane Hotel
Venue is on Piccadilly
Exterior main entrance
The foyer is like a luxury ocean liner
Original artwork of Grecian muses
Mural of equine relief
The London Toastmaster, Richard Birtchnell, has yeas of experience as an Event Host, Toastmaster, Master of Ceremonies and MC for many years. Contact him on 020 7730 3725 to check his availability.