Summer Solstice 2026…

…and this year the longest day falls on Sunday 21st June marking the moment when the northern hemisphere (which includes Eastbury, SW Hertfordshire!) is most tilted towards the sun. As we enter the summer months, hopefully we can relax and enjoy what I consider to be the finest period in the calendar. June is also the month in which my son, Simon, and my granddaughter, Hannah, were born, so I guess my fondness for the sixth calendar month (which also includes Father’s Day), is a bit biased.

Looking forward to several upcoming events over the next few months – and good weather!

Spring Equinox 2026…

…and the Guild of Professional Toastmasters continues to flourish, marking a period of notable progress and development. Recently, five more individuals have successfully completed the Guild’s training course, advancing towards fellowship status. Their journey does not end with the completion of the course; each graduate must now pass a formal exam and participate in practical attachments, working alongside seasoned Toastmasters. These experiences are complemented by observations carried out by more experienced members, ensuring that each candidate is thoroughly prepared for full fellowship in the Guild.

In celebration of these achievements, fifteen members of the Guild assembled in Whitehall for a group photoshoot, which will feature on the Guild’s official website. The members were resplendent in their distinctive hunting pink livery and City of London livery, reflecting the Guild’s proud traditions and sense of community. This gathering not only commemorated the progress of the new graduates but also served as a visual testament to the Guild’s ongoing strength and unity.

One afternoon last month, I was delighted to deliver my talk ‘The History and Role of Toastmasters’ at Denville Hall in Northwood, a retirement home for professional actors, actresses and members of other theatrical professions. Dressed in my hunting pink livery I spoke about the training required for me to become a Fellow of the Guild of Professional Toastmasters, describing the different types of functions covered and peppering my talk with ‘tips of the trade’ and amusing anecdotes. Many well-known British actors and actresses have lived at Denville Hall over the years, and my talk included how to address the King and Queen should they ever be introduced – even though most of them have been.

Winter Solstice 2025…

…and as I reflect on what has been an exceptionally busy year of weddings, I have observed an emerging trend among my couples. Increasingly, many are choosing to enlist the expertise of professional dance instructors to choreograph their first dance of the evening. This approach brings a distinctly ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ flair to their celebrations, adding both elegance and entertainment to the occasion.

Additionally, I have had the privilege of visiting several venues in London, where I am delighted to be recognised as one of their recommended suppliers. This recognition not only reflects the quality of my services but also strengthens my professional relationships within the wedding industry.

On Remembrance Sunday, I had the honour of representing the Mosaic Reform Synagogue at the wreath-laying ceremony held in the London Borough of Harrow. This event was a dignified occasion, providing an opportunity to pay tribute to the service men and women who have served our country. 

Once again, I was delighted to receive an invitation from the Batchworth Community Council to act as Master of Ceremonies for the village Christmas tree lighting. It was truly a pleasure to share the stage with the Royal Navy Volunteer Band from Northwood HQ, whose performance added a festive spirit to the evening, as well as the children’s choir from Eastbury Farm School, whose voices brought warmth and joy to the occasion.

Autumn Equinox 2025…

…and it’s been a busy summer for weddings in the Home Counties, in particular Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, W. Sussex, and Northamptonshire. As toastmasters like to say: Have Gavel, Will Travel. I was delighted to be invited back to the Palace of Westminster as Master of Ceremonies for the World Book of Records awards ceremony, recognising and honouring individuals and organisations that have made remarkable contributions to society, set extraordinary records, and inspired future generations.

Now as the evenings draw in, I’m now looking forward to the next round of wedding fairs and meeting more lovely couples. It’s ‘all change’ in my business affiliations. The Guild of Professional Toastmasters is currently undergoing a period of re-evaluation and restructuring, and the National Association of Wedding Professionals is merging with the newly formed UK Wedding Association, an industry-led initiative to recognise excellence in wedding businesses across the UK.

Summer Solstice 2025…

…and Annette and I have just returned from our Azamara cruise along the coast of France, Spain and Portugal. I’m now looking forward to a busy summer of weddings throughout the Home Counties.

I was pleased to be invited by the Batchworth Community Council to participate in the VE80 celebrations last month and to share the platform with Royal Marine Bandleader Freddy Lomas and the Royal Navy Volunteer Navy Band from Northwood HQ. The evening concluded with the sunset ceremony, the lowering of the flag and lighting the beacon.

I was also delighted to serve as Master of Ceremonies at two wedding supplier networking evenings earlier this month. The first was for the National Association of Wedding Professionals (NAWP) at RSA House in John Adam Street, when I also had the honour of delivering the keynote speech on the History and Role of Toastmasters. The following evening, I was back in Central London with Becca Pountney at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in Whitehall.

Spring Equinox 2025…

…and I continue to receive invitations to deliver my talk ‘The History and Role of Toastmasters’ to interested community groups including U3A, JACS, JW3 and J’Care. Please contact me if you would like me to deliver my talk to your community group.

There are several theories as to where the tradition of ‘toasting’ originated. Some believe it was the ancient Greeks who had a strange practice of spiking wine with poisons. To eliminate their concerns, the host would pour wine from a decanter and take the first drink. Guests were then satisfied that the wine was safe and invited to raise their goblets and drink to the health of their host.

During the reign of Charles II, pieces of spiced toast were added to the wine, firstly to enhance its flavour and secondly to keep sediment, which was often found in the wine, at the bottom of the glass. This was the responsibility of the Master of the Toast. By the end of the 17th century, ‘toasting’ important guests at a banquet was very popular. This tradition has continued down the ages to the custom we use in the present day.

(Image of the JW3 lovelock bridge and mural by @Leon_Fenster)

Winter Solstice 2024…

…and it hasn’t just been weddings this past year. For example, earlier this year I was pleased to serve as one of the MCs for the Pungudutivu Welfare Association fund-raising event, then honoured to introduce HRH The Duke of Gloucester at the Gilbert and Sullivan Society dinner, and delighted to act as Toastmaster at the Moor Park Tennis Club dinner dance. Having said that, my wedding engagement calendar for next year is filling up, so looking forward to a busy 2025.

I was also thrilled to be short-listed as a finalist for the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Wedding Awards, but sadly not a winner this year. My village in Northwood (Eastbury, actually) switched on its Christmas tree lights, and I was delighted to step up as Master of Ceremonies with my handbell and announce the volunteer band and the school choir before encouraging the children to count down for the switch-on; such fun.

Autumn Equinox 2024…

…and I’m thrilled to announce that I am a finalist for the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Wedding Awards 2025! Winners revealed next month.

One of the highlights of the summer was probably sharing a railway carriage with a flock of Swifties in sparkle makeup and wearing Swiftie hats and bracelets on their way to Taylor Swift’s Eras concert at Wembley.

Something of Interest: a recent wedding I covered at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London had an interesting spin on the usual table plan. Each table was named after a horse in fiction (Black Beauty, Champion the Wonder Horse, Joey the War Horse, etc) and was identified by a coloured rosette. As guests arrived, they were given a rosette bearing their name with the colour corresponding to their table: a lovely memento to take home.

Summer Solstice 2024…

…and my wife and I spent the week cruising around Iceland on board the Azamara Quest, looking out for volcanos and icebergs, lakes and waterfalls, whales and puffins, and being just within the Arctic circle we experienced virtual daylight at midnight; weird!

On Easter Sunday I had the pleasure of serving as one of the MCs for the Pungudutivu Welfare Association (UK) dinner, raising funds to provide computer equipment for village schools on the island off the west coast of Sri Lanka. After the lighting of the sacred lamp, several hundred guests were entertained to traditional music, singing and temple dancing. As the proceedings were in Tamil, my responsibilities for the evening were primarily the promotion of the raffle and announcing the draw.

I was also pleased to be engaged as Toastmaster for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society formal dinner and celebrity concert, part of the centenary convention at the Grim’s Dyke Hotel and  formerly the home of W.S. Gilbert. After dinner, the loyal toast, the welcome speech, and toasts to the immortal legacy of Gilbert and Sullivan and to 100 years of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, I had the honour of introducing the society’s Royal Patron and guest of honour, HRH the Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO.

Spring Equinox 2024…

…and following the traditional engagement season of Christmas to Valentine’s Day I have received several promising enquiries for an MC/Toastmaster. We are well into the wedding fair season, and I have enjoyed meeting  many delightful couples in lovely wedding venues in London and the Home Counties.

Burns Night supper at Halsey Hall Masonic Centre in Waltham Abbey, and I was asked to deliver the Selkirk grace and address to the haggis. I replied, “Only if I can take a wee dram with Piper Donald McGrurie”. Later in the evening I delivered a learned paper ‘Dux magnus gentis venteris saginati (which translates literally as ‘great chieftain o’ the puddin’ race), describing the life cycle of the wild haggis that inhabits the highlands of Scotland.

Once again delighted to be invited to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the National Association of Wedding Professionals spring networking event at Home House, a private members’ club in Portman Square in London. Delighted also to introduce NAWP director and guest speaker Tracy Butterfield of Saltaire Bridal, who spoke on neurodiversity awareness in the wedding industry. Many wedding suppliers attended the event and helped to make for an enjoyable evening, and a special mention for Photographer Pascal Gastaud, Sky Magic and Badge Master Mick.

John Ashmele FGPT
Fellow of the Guild of Professional Toastmasters
Graduate of the Professional Toastmasters’ Academy
m: 07710 400412       e: john@ashmele.co.uk