A Journey of Camaraderie, Support, and Saying Yes – The Story of a London Cardinal!  

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It’s all about Camaraderie and Support…and saying Yes!

Joining London Cardinals

It was 2004 and I was looking to join a Toastmasters club in London. I had the good fortune to go to a ‘Demo’ meeting of London Cardinals, co-founded by the legendary Nigel and Gilly Cutts. They were setting up a new club as London Corinthians was ‘Bursting’ with members.

– As well as the Cutts, the Cookes, the Craddocks, the Sellmans and a young chap called Simon Bucknall became Founder Members.

I am still a proud member of London Cardinals, the ‘Oldest Swinger in Town! It’s changed of course but the implicit values of Nigel and Gilly are ever present – Having Quality meetings and speeches, Supporting each other, and Truly Caring for each other.

Every great opportunity begins with a Yes!

I smiled when I read District Director, Debbie Williams’ article in the September Newsletter. I remember saying ‘Yes!’ for various roles –

  • Secretary, VPE, President at London Cardinals.
  • Area Director B6, Division B ‘Governor’ (Now Director and in those days, Division B was all of London’s 40 odd clubs!)

Each role was exhilarating and I was  lucky to have support, such as my Division Governor mentor, Andy O’Sullivan!…….After those roles, I took a rest!

Look beyond your club

Little did any of us know that fellow London Cardinals founder member Simon Bucknall would be a 3 time International Speech Contest   Champion, the  first time being 2006 when we were part of District 71,  which was  The British Isles  –  more than 300 clubs!

I went to my 1st  International Convention in Washington D.C. with son Michael,  to support Simon, along with other ‘Cardinalians’ – What a wonderful experience…….

My 2nd International Convention was 2014, Kuala Lumpur.  It’s my dear wife Judy’s home town, and it was  a ‘No brainer’ to go. How lucky to be  in the auditorium to see one of the greatest speeches in the World Championship of Public Speaking  ‘I see something’ by Dananjaya Hettiararchi.  He did an online workshop for London Cardinals on a Sunday afternoon in 2024 – What a delightful chap!

In Kuala Lumpur, I  hooked up with the incoming District 91 inaugural District Leadership Team, as I felt it was time for me to give something back. Hilary Briggs, District Director, asked me to be Chair District Alignment Committee, a  role I held for 5 years. I  enjoyed the role, liaising with District Leadership and attending District Conferences and of course, always being supported in the role.

My 3rd  International Convention in 2017 was perhaps the most memorable. Simon was District International Speech Contest Champion for the 3rd  time.   The International Convention was in Vancouver and I went  with Judy and our daughter Sarah.  Vancouver is a lovely place and even better, Simon came 2nd in the World Championship! The best moment ever in Toastmasters!

So proud

London Cardinals was so successful, regularly 50-60 membership  until around 2016……and then  we started leaking members for no apparent reason. When COVID hit, we were struggling at 20ish  members. I am so proud of our leaders since, such as Zeph Fanton, Mo Al Bayati, Marijana Bosniak, Joel Morales, Lai Yee and Preety Gheera. Through their leadership, we survived  COVID, with inspiring online meetings and have   thrived since as an innovative  hybrid club (which enables me to retain my membership!)

And so to today

Last year, I volunteered to support a corporate club, FTI Consulting, in their autumn contests.  It’s where I first met Debbie Williams, who was also supporting them.

Over Christmas, Debbie invited me to chair the District Humorous Speech Contest at the District Conference in May. It was so much fun,  attending a District Conference once more, chairing the Contest and meeting up with Toastmaster pals, such as Seema Menon, Jean Gamester, Vanessa King and  Lynne Gayer.

Soon after Seema, now Programme Quality Director, invited me to be District Chief Judge for 2025/2026. I wasn’t sure what it entailed but  I followed the mantra of just say ‘Yes!

What are my reflections over 21 years?

  1. It’s about Camaraderie.

I reflect so fondly on the friendships old and new,  from 2004 to today…..and tomorrow!

  1. It’s about Support

I could not have delivered any of the Toastmaster roles without support and  I strive to give support as best I can.

  1. It’s about saying ‘Yes!’

By saying yes, I have had wonderful experiences, I have  been  to places I could only have dreamt of and my Life has been enriched……… Try it some time!

Last Updated on 28th October 2025 by Allen Paul

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