The Gabblers Club is an after dinner speaking club aiming to give young people in the first year of their A level studies, the skills and confidence to speak clearly and effectively in public. Each year state and independent secondary schools and colleges in and around Bristol select a representative who will benefit most from realising their full potential through the guidance, support and encouragement provided within the speaking programme of the Club.
The annual programme begins with an introductory informal tea in October. The Club then meets usually on a Monday evening each month, usually between November and April, each meeting taking place at The Bristol Hotel. The Gabblers are organised into two groups to give a four minute after dinner speech at three of these six dinners. They are judged on the content, delivery and presentation of their topic and given constructive criticism following their speeches. The marks from the three speeches make up 50% of their final total marks.
The Grand Final Banquet usually takes place in April, attended by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor of Bristol, the Lady Mayoress and other distinguished guests, as well as supporters from their schools, families and friends. The Gabblers amuse and entertain an audience of around 250 people with their fourth and final four minute speech. The marks for this provide the remaining 50% of their overall final total, culminating in awards being made for ‘The Most Improved Gabbler’, ‘The Best Grand Final Speech’ and ‘The Gabbler of the Year’. All participants receive gift tokens and a signed individually named certificate.
The Gabblers Club is a unique organisation. It has made significant and measurable contributions to the future of many young people, instilling and developing in them the confidence, maturity and skills which have, in turn, proved vital to their progress in their professional lives. It is a real success story!
“The best speeches are like theatre. There is laughter and there is pathos. You make the audience roar and also you can touch them, you can see a tear in the corner of the eye.”
