Cardiff Post Article May 2009

I have been interested in public speaking since the age of twelve when I took part in Spoken English lessons and undertook certificates in this field.  I was unsure at the time what all the fuss was about, but I am pleased I completed the courses as it did put me in good stead later in my life.  Politics is all about representing residents to the best of your ability and often this is having debates with opposition politicians. The stronger you can put over your case, the better your chance of trying to convince them of your argument.

I enjoyed watching The Speaker on the television recently which saw highly confident and passionate young people fight for the title of Britain’s best young speaker.  The young people, aged between fourteen and eighteen came from across the country and from very diverse backgrounds.  Politics is a tough game but I felt that the competition between the young people paralleled it!  Few skills can impact on your life as positively as learning to speak in public and assists in confidence, job interviews and business presentations, special family occasions and various organisations where speaking is a necessity.

My ward colleague and husband Adrian Robson is a member of Cardiff Speakers Club and has been able to practice his speaking skills in preparation for the Council Chamber.  One of two Speakers clubs in Cardiff, it is part of the nationally recognised Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC).  The ASC prides itself on being a mutual self-help organisation which enables a group of people who come together to encourage each other to gain confidence and learn one of the essentials of life while having some fun. We are both very supportive of people who want to develop their public speaking to become an effective and memorable speaker.

For more information about Cardiff Speakers Club please telephone Adrian on 029 2062 7757 or log on to www.cardiffspeakersclub.co.uk

My ward colleagues Adrian Robson, Brian Jones and I are holding a Coffee Afternoon and Ward Surgery on Saturday 23^rd May between Noon – 1.30pm at Rhiwbina Library.

I can be contacted on telephone 029 2062 7757, fax 029 2087 7005, mobile 079 7001 3332, E-Mail jcowan@cardiff.gov.uk or log on to http://www.rhiwbinaward.com/