Wedding Ideas Awards 2010

January 29, 2010 By WebMaster

The London Toastmaster?and The Wedding Ideas Awards 2010

: The Wedding Ideas Awards 2010

The Wedding Ideas Awards are the UK’s only wedding industry awards voted for by real brides and on 22nd January 2010 ?the winners were announced at a ceremony and celebratory lunch held at the Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street. Guest presenter was TV personality Jenni Falconer and I had the honour of being the Toastmaster/MC. During the afternoon guests were delighted with a cabaret performed by ‘Incognito’ who were truly wonderful. The three singers pose as guests, then develop an excuse to get up and sing classical arias, to everybody’s surprise. I have seen many surprise tenors and divas acts, but these were the best and I highly recommend them – check out their website at www.incognitoartists.com and for further information about Wedding Ideas and how to get your copy, go to www.weddingideasmag.com or better still, pop into your newsagent!

Toastmaster Richard Birtchnell with celebrity TV personality Jenni Falconer at the Wedding Ideas Awards 2010.

About the Author: Richard Birtchnell, a Master of Ceremonies?who covers events all over London and beyond. Why not contact Richard to check his availability.

Master of Ceremonies | London MC

City of London Toastmasters

January 26, 2010 By WebMaster

City of London Toastmasters and their History and Customs

City of London Toastmaster, Richard Birtchnell leading HRH the Duke of Gloucester into a reception at Mercers' Hall. Photo by Michael O'Sullivan

When we talk of the ‘City’ of London, we are referring to the ‘Square Mile’ representing mainly the international financial district, which since Norman times was the capital’s hub of craft and commercial activity. The City is a democratic self-governing entity with its own Lord Mayor and rich in tradition, history and what may be thought of as quaint ceremonial customs.

One such is that the City of London Toastmaster does not wear his red tailcoat, instead he wears a black one. It is said the reason for this is that by tradition, a foxhunt may not pass through the City’s streets and as the Toastmaster’s red coat is reminiscent of mounted foxhunters, it is preferred that he maintains a less ostentatious profile. However, this policy creates a problem of identity. A Toastmaster’s work in the City is inevitably at Mansion House (home of the Lord Mayor) or the Guildhall or one of the 40 Livery Halls where formal banquets are held, often with members of the Royal Family, Government and Heads of State present. Frequently guests at such functions will wear white tie and black tails, just like the Toastmaster, who no longer will be identifiable by his red jacket. An elegant solution was devised whereby the Toastmaster would wear a red and white sash over his right shoulder, representing the colours of the City’s crest. This way, he stands out, even if on occasion he gets mistaken for the Polish Ambassador!

City of London Toastmaster, Richard Birtchnell. Photo by Michael O'Sullivan

Acting as a City Toastmaster requires a higher degree of knowledge and protocol than for example, in the ‘West End’ and there are many subtle differences in procedure. For example, outside the City when introducing a guest speaker with a post-nominal (eg OBE) the Toastmaster would say “Pray silence for John Smith, an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” but within the City the Toastmaster simply says “Pray silence for John Smith”. Another example would be how the Loyal Toast (“The Queen!”) is introduced. Outside the City the Toastmaster would gavel for attention and say: “Would you all please stand.. and.. pray silence for the Chairman who will now propose the Loyal Toast”. In the City, when we get to this point in the meal (before the coffee is served) the Toastmaster simply taps his gavel three times, does not speak at all and the host will rise and pronounce: “The Queen!” then all guests rise and repeat the exclamation.

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.

City of London Toastmaster | London Toastmasters

The Livery Company Beadle

January 19, 2010 By WebMaster

The City of London Livery Companies and their Beadles

Richard Birtchnell is Beadle to two Livery Companies: The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights and The Worshipful Company of Masons. Many people do not know what a Beadle does, or how the position originated, so here is the explanation. Beadle, sometimes spelled “bedel” is derived from the Latin “bidellus” or “bedellus”, rooted in words for “herald.” He was originally an official of the Roman Temple. The word Beadle has also been used to describe early policemen and church or parish wardens.

Beadle Richard Birtchnell leading the procession at a Wheelwrights' banquet in Mansion House including the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor Ian Luder and the Lady Mayoress. Photo kindly supplied by Sharp Photo

The Livery Companies, as they evolved many hundreds of years ago, needed a point of contact between the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants and the Livery in general. They therefore appointed (and paid for) a Beadle, who took care of the Company’s meeting place (‘Hall’), called the Court members and/or Livery together on behalf of the Master, and enforced any disciplinary measures decided by the Court.

The Beadle would also find suitable apprentices, and would organise the social and ceremonial functions. He was, in summary, a policeman, an almoner, a friend, social worker and communicator.

Whilst the Livery all lived and worked within the Square Mile, the Beadle was able to summon them personally, but, as people became dispersed, there grew a need for someone who could write and so use the new postal services to summon the Court. The humble Clerk then began his rise in importance to his position today as the chief executive of the Company. The office of Beadle, meanwhile, has become a ceremonial function.

Discussing the seating plans with guests at a Wheelwrights' Installation dinner in Drapers' Hall. Photo kindly supplied by Sharp Photo

The Beadle in most Companies retains his stewardship of the Company’s property, including in many cases, the fabric of buildings owned by a Company. The Beadle advises on matters of protocol, and acts in collaboration with the Clerk, to ensure all Livery functions take place smoothly and with due decorum; that the required regalia and treasure is produced, in place, and returned to the vaults after a function. He will attend the Master and Wardens on all proper occasions, to ensure that they are properly gowned and badged, and to assist the company by acting as Toastmaster at all its functions.

He would be issued with a Staff of Office, often wrongly called a ‘mace’, with which to protect the Master and enforce discipline. The Staff is usually a tall one so that it could be used as a rallying point at Common Hall etc. when the Livery was summoned to “Attend upon the Master”. The Wheelwrights’ staff which appears in the photos was made in London by John Carter in 1774 and bears the Company’s Coat of Arms and motto.

You can find out more about the work of Beadles by visiting the website www.thebeadlesoflondon.com

About the Author: Richard Birtchnell is not only a Beadle to two Livery Conpanies, he is als0 a?Toastmaster in London. If you want to make your?event one to run smoothly and on time, then why not contact Richard to check his availability.

Toastmasters in London | London Toastmasters

Britain's Got Talent 2009 Finalists with The London Toastmaster

January 7, 2010 By WebMaster

The London Toastmaster Rubbing Shoulders with Britain’s Got Talent 2009 Finalists

A Toastmaster’s life is not all about pomp, ceremony and formal announcements. Sometimes we need to introduce fun elements to the programme and here are two examples of recent experiences. From ‘Britain’s Got Talent‘ we have finalists Julia Naidenko, the mesmerising Latvian belly dancer who was engaged to entertain at a Kurdish wedding where I was the Toastmaster and the hilarious Stavros Flatley and his son who were performing at a charity Ball where I was the Master of Ceremonies. Despite neither act winning the talent contest, both are much in demand at celebrations, parties, weddings and Balls. Of course, I just had to have my picture taken with them.

Britain's Got Talent 2009 Finalists Stavros Flatley and belly dancer with Richard Birtchnell, the London Toastmaster

Britain's Got Talent 2009 Finalists Stavros Flatley and Latvian belly dancer, Julia Naidenko, with Richard Birtchnell, the London Toastmaster

?About the Author: Richard Birtchnell is an?event Toastmaster in London. If you want to make your?event one to remember and to run smoothly, then why not contact Richard to check his availability.

Event Toastmasters in London | London Event Toastmasters