London MC Hosts Aerospace Media Awards Dinner at the A?roclub de France

September 23, 2015 By WebSite Owner

Aerospace Media Awards Dinner at the A?roclub de France, Paris

Journalists in the Aerospace industry gathered ahead of the 2015 Paris Air Show to celebrate and receive awards for their hard work. Comedian Fred Macaulay was on hand and in great form. The historic venue, the A?roclub de France at Rue Galil?e has been home to iconic French flyers since the very start of aviation in 1898.

In the below photos you can see Richard Birtchnell, The London Toastmaster, acting as event host and compere.

Need An MC To Host An Event?

Do you need a Master of Ceremonies or MC to host an upcoming event? Contact Richard Birtchnell on 020 7730 3725 or email him to check his availability.

Chatham House Prize 2013

October 16, 2013 By WebMaster

London Toastmaster Richard Birtchnell leads the Clintons at the Chatham House Prize

It has been my privilege to act as Toastmaster for many years at this annual award ceremony to an internationally-renowned statesman or stateswoman. For 2013, the winner Hillary Rodham Clinton received the award from HRH the Duke of York in the magnificent setting of Banqueting House Whitehall.

London Toastmaster Richard Birtchnell welcomes Duke of York and the Clintons

London Toastmaster Richard Birtchnell escorts William Hague

Among the many distinguished guests (including former US President Bill Clinton), was our Foreign Secretary Rt Hon William Hague who made a witty reference to Toastmasters as he acknowledged the importance of our role in this tongue-in-cheek extract from his speech: “It has been great to see Hillary enjoying the dinner tonight particularly taken with the fact that everybody does exactly as they are told by men in red coats who are around the room. This is what you went to a great deal of trouble in the United States to get away from in the 1770’s but we’re still enjoying it here in the United Kingdom. At this site, (Banqueting House) where just outside this window in 1649 our forebears executed the King no less, you might think this is a building for Republicans but actually tonight it is home to a very special Democrat instead.” I love my job and on occasions such as these, you can see why.

London Toastmaster Richard Birtchnell introduces William Hague

Richard the Toastmaster at Russian event in Kensington Palace

June 20, 2013 By WebMaster

???????? ?????????, ???? ??????????? ??????????, ???? ??????????????????, ???????, ???? ? ???????

(Mr President, Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen)

Richard the Toastmaster at Russian event in Kensington Palace

On June 10th, I had the honour of acting as Toastmaster at a prestigious dinner in Kensington Palace. The event, hosted by HRH Prince Michael of Kent was held to promote awareness of Sambo, a martial art whose genesis is from judo in Russia and is hoped to become a new Olympic sport. President Putin is firmly in support of its status elevation and he delivered a personal message read out by the Russian Ambassador.

Among the guests were prominent Russian politicians, athletes and personalities. All announcements and speeches required consecutive translation by interpreters. This was the first time I had ‘heard myself’ in Russian and I must say how impressive my words sounded!

Richard with HRH Prince Michael of Kent photo: Neil Denham

Richard on the podium at Kensington Palace photo: Neil Denham

Richard recommends? Syon House

October 26, 2012 By WebMaster

The London Toastmaster’s Favourite Venue: Syon House

Sitting in a 200 acre park, Syon House is the London home of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family have lived there for over 400 years. Originally the site of a medieval abbey, it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539.

The Estate became Crown property and eventually into the possession of Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland whose family has lived at Syon ever since.

Today, as well as a home and visitor attraction, Syon Park, with its House and Grand Conservatory is a wonderful venue in which to entertain on a lavish scale, just like the Duke?s ancestors would have done. It is a perfect place for wedding receptions, dinners, parties and as a film location. It is one of my favourite venues for style, elegance and scenery.

I hope this short presentation conveys Syon?s magic, brought to life by the talented and extraordinary photography of Aljosa Videtic.

Need A Toastmaster

If you thinking of hiring a toastmaster then call Richard today on 0207 730 3725 to check his availability. Take a look at the venues Richard has worked at, is your here?

The Toastmaster Has A Way With Words

February 29, 2012 By WebMaster

He is predominantly a professional practitioner in presentation and proper procedure, primarily an expert in protocol, privilege, priority, precedence, procession and propriety.

After preparing preliminaries with the president, principal or producer, and prefacing with his preamble, he will promptly proclaim: ?Pray silence!? then pronounce, project, praise, promulgate and propose in precise, profound prose.

His prominent presence, profile and pragmatic proficiency in the programme will prevent problems, protect probity, and, preserving principle and pride, provide prestige to your production.

Promise.

About the Author: Richard Birtchnell is not only a Master of Ceremonies,?but he is also the?London Toastmaster. If you want to make your?event one to run smoothly and on time, then why not?contact Richard to check his availability.

London Toastmaster at Lords

November 2, 2010 By WebMaster

Richard Birtchnell in the Long Room at Lord's. Photo by Matthew Beedle.

Richard Birtchnell Called to Lords

One day, I was performing at the House of Lords and the next at the iconic cricket ground of Lord?s. I need no reminding that it is an enormous privilege in my occupation to be regularly entering the private spaces of such institutions and for the briefest of moments, becoming part of their history.

Here for example I am in the Long Room at Lord?s, where for 120 years, every international cricketer has passed through, either to make an entrance onto the hallowed turf as a player or to enjoy its hospitality. The walls proudly display portraits of famous players, from WG Grace to Shane Warne. Lord?s was established in 1787 and is named after the MCC?s founder, Thomas Lord.

About the Author: Richard Birtchnell is not only a Master of Ceremonies,?but he is also a City of London Toastmaster. If you want to make your?event one to run smoothly and on time, then why not contact Richard to check his availability.

Richard at Lincoln's Inn Great Hall

September 22, 2010 By WebMaster

London Toastmaster at Lincoln's Inn's Great Hall

I recently had the privilege of performing in one of London’s finest and most-treasured banqueting halls, at the?heart of Lincoln’s Inn, the earliest of the four great Inns of Court of which Barristers and Judges are members.

It is in the Great Hall where graduating law students are called to the Bar and where debates, lectures and concerts take place. Its historic facilities are available for private hire and on this occasion I was Toastmaster at an awards dinner hosted by Euromoney Energy Events.

Photo: Richard Birtchnell toasting at Lincoln’s Inn’s Great Hall

Photo by Ally Carmichael

Richard Toasting at the State Opening of Parliament

June 7, 2010 By WebMaster

London Toastmaster, Richard Birtchnell with Jill Pay, the first woman Serjeant-at-Arms

An interesting and privileged assignment this week – acting as Toastmaster for the Inter-Parliamentary Union which traditionally hosts a reception at the Houses of Parliament for, among other dignitaries, Ambassadors and High Commissioners after attending the State Opening formalities. My task was to announce these distinguished guests to the hosts. Although most of them have difficult to pronounce names, I am spared risk and embarrassment because correct protocol dictates that Ambassadors are referred to by their countries – as in, for example, “His Excellency The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany”. Incidentally, for anoraks among you, an Ambassador is ‘of’ the country and a High Commissioner is ‘for’ the country, as in “Her Excellency The High Commissioner for the Maldives”. In the picture I am with Jill Pay, the first woman to be appointed Serjeant-at-Arms, a position that dates back to 1415. She is responsible for security at the House of Commons and ceremonially carries the mace during the opening of Parliament and each day processes with it ahead of the Speaker into the chamber.

About the Author: Richard Birtchnell,?the?london toastmaster ?who covers? all types of events, from the State Opening of Parliament to weddings,?all over London and beyond. If you want your event to run smoothly, on time and with a bit of pizazz, why not contact Richard now?to check his availability.

No.1 Mayfair: The London Party Venue

May 19, 2010 By WebMaster

Champagne, burlesque and a magical forest inside a Gothic church. This can only be Mayfair

Toastmaster Richard Birtchnell at No.1 Mayfair

I was Toastmaster at the 50th birthday party of Amanda Eliasch held at the recently decommissioned St Mark’s Church in North Audley Street, now renamed No.1 Mayfair. It is a rather special party venue, mainly because the 150 year old internal d?cor, stained-glass windows and structure of the gothic Grade 1 building are intact and you really feel as if you are in church, which feels bizarre. The guests danced at the altar, the DJ’s rig was in the organ space, my announcements were from the pulpit. There was top musical talent and a burlesque show. One entertaining distraction available to guests during the evening was an unusual PHOTOBOOTH run by Jon-X and Rita Dobo. With their fertile imagination, in the past two years they built haunted castles, 16th century boudoirs, Japanese gardens, magical forests, and desert islands. Partygoers have survived airplane crashes, hitchhiked a Harley, fought tigers & posed with pumas or had their teeth pulled out at a dentist surgery! They use no green screen technology or other usual gimmicks, instead they build tailor-made 3D photo booths. There are no digital effects or post-production involved and the sets give a huge, real life, visual impact. The “models” are the attending guests who play, pose and act within the sets. For more information, go to www.bigbigday.com

About the Author: Richard Birtchnell, a?london toastmaster ?who covers events all over London and beyond. If you want your event to run smoothly, on time and with a bit of pizazz, why not contact Richard now?to check his availability.

London Toastmaster Enters Eggheads

March 17, 2010 By WebMaster

Richard Teams Up to Challenge the Eggheads

I was recently captain of a team of Toastmasters invited to challenge the highly-regarded ‘Eggheads’ who appear nightly on BBC2. For those who are unfamiliar with the format, the ‘Eggheads’ are a team of Britain’s most successful quiz and game show champions and in each episode a different challenging team attempts to beat them through a series of rounds for a cash prize. As our particular show is not to be broadcast until Autumn 2010, I am not at liberty reveal the outcome until after transmission.

Anyone may create a challenging team. Application forms are available from the BBC. If satisfactory at this stage, there follows an audition which involves mental and presentational skills and if through, the team is taken to Glasgow where the programme is filmed and although a little scary it was great fun to participate.

In the photograph the Eggheads are standing left to right: CJ, Chris, Barry, Daphne, Kevin and show host Jeremy Vine and seated, looking very smart I am sure you will agree, are my Toastmasters team left to right: Mike Jacobs (standby), Richard Birtchnell, Neil Hunt, Ian Low, Tony Forward and Roger Galton-Davies.

About the Author: Richard Birtchnell, now a celebrity Toastmaster?after appearing on BBC TV’s Eggheads, covers events all over London and beyond. Why not contact Richard to check his availability.

London MC Hosts Aerospace Media Awards Dinner at the A?roclub de France

Aerospace Media Awards Dinner at the A?roclub de France, Paris

Need An MC To Host An Event?

Chatham House Prize 2013

Richard the Toastmaster at Russian event in Kensington Palace

???????? ?????????, ???? ??????????? ??????????, ???? ??????????????????, ???????, ???? ? ???????

(Mr President, Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen)

Richard the Toastmaster at Russian event in Kensington Palace

Richard recommends? Syon House

The London Toastmaster’s Favourite Venue: Syon House

Need A Toastmaster

The Toastmaster Has A Way With Words

London Toastmaster at Lords

Richard Birtchnell Called to Lords

Richard at Lincoln's Inn Great Hall

Richard Toasting at the State Opening of Parliament

No.1 Mayfair: The London Party Venue

Champagne, burlesque and a magical forest inside a Gothic church. This can only be Mayfair

London Toastmaster Enters Eggheads

Richard Teams Up to Challenge the Eggheads

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