Writing a speech should make you think. It shouldn’t be something that you rattle off from the top of your head. If it’s a wedding speech, for instance, you should think about how you can enhance the day for the couple with loving words. If you are speaking in a debate, of course, you should think about the points the other side will use and undermine them with your clever rhetoric. If you are speaking at a parent teacher meeting you should consider why parents send their children to that particular school and slant your speech accordingly. Whatever the occasion you should study the audience and what will be relevant to them. It’s no good giving a dynamic speech on nuclear policies to
a group of people who are only interested in sport. That is not to say, though, that you shouldn’t be able to stimulate your audience by making your topic interesting and riveting. So if you can talk about a nuclear plant being built on the local football pitch you could use that topic but from a different angle. So think about your audience, think about how you will approach your speech and think of the standing ovation you will get if you get it right.

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The bookies will be out of a job
The papers will be much thinner
And what will they do on TV shows
When they cannot talk to a winner?
Sport is for all or so they say
The ratings prove it’s true
The Olympic games wooed us all
We watched as though stuck by glue.
They give their all for a nation’s pride
Though steroids and sport are the nasty side
Of what should be sport at its peak, its best
The answer to challenge, the ultimate test
Of speed and skill and heart and pace
We watched them all race by race.

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Has it ever occurred to you that there are links between weddings and the seasons? A spring wedding, like the season itself is about growth and a new beginning. The flowers on the altar will probably be spring flowers such as daffodils and the day will be filled with promise.
Roses, though, are more likely to be used in a summer wedding and the photographs will probably be taken in beautiful garden settings. The sunshine will add to the occasion and everything will be bright and cheerful and happy. The couple’s joy is reflected in the summer season.
Autumn weddings are more likely to be windswept occasions. The bridesmaids may be wearing the colours of autumn and the wedding bower may be decorated with golden leaves. The smell of chrysanthemums will fill the church and the wedding photographs may show a veil blowing in the wind… Like the harvest itself the wedding will reflect the bounty of nature and promise fulfilled.
Winter brides often choose Christmas weddings and such weddings are likely to feature furry capes and ice cold diamonds. The bride’s bouquet may include rich berries and the wedding location is likely to be decorated with traditional holly and ivy. It’s appropriate that the season of caring and sharing should be the one chosen to celebrate marriage which is ultimately about loving one another.

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Almost everyone, it seems, is watching the athletes in China. There are, of course, those who hate sport but the Olympic Games have got most of us enthralled. We watch in fascination as nation takes on nation. We exchange views on performances and shout on our own favourites. Will they win medals or is it the taking part that really matters? It should be, of course, but there is huge pressure on the athletes to do well not only for themselves but for the pride of their own countries. Whether we like it or not the game are political too. Otherwise the athletes would not run under any flag but under their own names. Instead the national anthems are part of the prizegiving ceremony. Why?
Is it because Governments fund the training of athletes? Is it because countries are sending out their own message to the world? Do we confuse shouting on our athletes with patriotism? Just what are the benefits of the Olympics?
Some say they throw the spotlight on human rights abuses but does that have any effect? Will it change the world whether the Olympics are held or cancelled? What about the nastier side of athleticism? What about the case of the steroids and sport? What makes an athlete cheat which is totally against the whole ethos of sportsmanship?
The original Olympic Games had nothing to do with commercialism. The heroes were feted for their sporting prowess alone. They were not paid, they were truly amateur, their prize some laurel leaves. So what has happened to make the Olympics the business it is today? Would any country be prepared to send representatives who ran or swam for love of the sport and not for gain?
The questions asked are about who will be winners? Maybe a more fundamental question is are the Olympics about prestige profit and power or just simply sport?

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Most of us were told that it impolite to discuss religion, politics or money at the dinner table. Yet whether we like it or not money, or the lack of it, is the hot subject for discussion these days. That’s understandable because we are living through a recession. People are losing their homes, businesses are going to the wall and budgeting is something we will all have to do if we are to survive the current crisis.
We need to think of long term solutions rather than quick fixes. Students should learn not earn because in doing so they improve their job prospects by getting better results. So it will pay them in the long term to be better educated. That is not to say that we should not tighten our belts. It’s a challenge to see whether we can cut the electricity bill or
eat better for less. Certainly it would do most of us no harm to leave the car at home and take public transport thus saving the environment and our pockets as well. Most of us have skills or talents we could barter for services we need instead of using those expensive credit cards. It will pay us all to be better informed about money matters or to consult the experts who can help us manage our money. Things are bad at the moment but if you try there are lots of ways you can dig yourself out of debt.

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We all like to be made feel welcome but have you ever thought of the many ways that happens in an ordinary lifetime? If you are born into a Christian family you will be welcomed into the church with a Christening/Baptismal speech. As a small child you feel comfortable and welcome every time your parents hold out their arms to you although, of course, you cannot express that feeling in words. You are probably gladly received at birthday parties too but again you take it for granted and don’t realise that you are being welcomed. When you go on visits to doting grandparents it will seem natural that they gladly receive you into their hearts and home.
As you grow older you will go to school and a teacher will usually give a welcome to students at re-opening of school year speech. You will also be made to feel wanted at any clubs and societies you may join. You may get married and on the day of your wedding your future father-in-law will usually welcome you into his family. When you begin work there is the staff welcome or induction speeches. In fact all through your working life there will be conferences and meetings at which you will be received with open arms. So if and when you yourself are rolling out the red carpet for guests ensure that you make them know how much you value their presence. In other words make them feel as welcome as those proverbial flowers in Spring.

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