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Bob Williams Event Host & Toastmaster, Altrincham (2024)

17/12/2024

John Herdman, the ‘founding father’ of the Northern Guild of Toastmasters, sadly died earlier today. In April 1984. a group of friends came together at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool, to talk about forming a toastmaster’s group; the driving force being John, then General Manager at the hotel. That meeting set the wheels in motion to create an organisation that is still known today as the Northern Guild of Toastmasters. John encouraged me to join the Guild in 2006, played a key role in my training and continued to be extremely supportive over many years including the last two, during which I have been President of the Guild - and for that encouragement and support l will be forever grateful to John. It was so fitting that, forty years after playing his part in forming the Guild, he was guest of honour last month at the Guild’s 40th anniversary celebration. My condolences to John’s wife Kath, daughter Lisa and other family members. RIP John.

15/12/2024

8 Dec - 14 Dec DURING THE SECOND WEEK of my ‘advent calendar’ promotion on Instagram (bobhostandtoast), I’ve talked about the confetti shot, pulling together the guest group photograph and the main pictures wanted by the couple, announcing the happy couple into the wedding breakfast, how I believe I make the speeches even more special and how cake-cutting can bring the formal part of the day to an end; not to mention an appearance by ‘Little Santa’. If you’ve been following my daily ‘advent calendar’ stories (put together with the help of an image gallery by Steve Hillman Wedding Photography), thank you. If you haven’t and would like to find out about how I work as a professional Event Host and Toastmaster, please take a look at my Instagram page – bobhostandtoast. My thanks, once again, to Steve Hillman for producing the gallery.
*Day 15 of my 'advent calendar' promotional campaign.
Emma West Claire Walker Georgia Robinson Raphaelle Beauty Artistry Stacey Ashcroft Laura Jayne Ellis Lauren Gee Abbey House
Images: Steve Hillman Wedding Photography

09/12/2024

FIRST wedding anniversary congratulations to Elise Eacott & Paul Eacott, one year on from a fabulous and very lively day at Abbey House. My thanks, once again, for the donations you and your guests made to my 24in24 fundraising appeal (Just Giving - search bobwilliams24), in support of The Brain Tumour Charity. xx

07/12/2024

1 Dec - 7 Dec THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS of my ‘advent calendar’ promotion on Instagram (bobhostandtoast), with help of a gallery of images put together by Steve Hillman Wedding Photography, have seen me explaining: how strong client relationships are important, how necessary button holes are, why I need to brief the groom before the ceremony, what a buzz I get escorting ’mum’ down the aisle, how I make the bridal party walk-in personal, how spoken or written words matter to me and how I’m one of the first to congratulate the happy couple. If you’ve been following my daily ‘advent calendar’ posts, thank you. If you haven’t and would like to find out about how I work as a professional Event Host and Toastmaster, please take a look at my Instagram page – bobhostandtoast. My thanks, once again, to Steve Hillman for producing the gallery.
Emma West Charles West Coco Hair and Beauty PianoDaisy - Joanne Bergin, Event Pianist Lucie's Cake Co. Raphaelle Beauty Artistry Rebecca Ball Stacey Ashcroft Hayley Mckee Claire Walker Georgia Robinson Elise Eacott Paul Eacott Meghan O'Riley Laura Jayne Ellis, Lauren Gee Rob Grimshaw Abbey House Cragwood Country House Hotel
Images: Steve Hillman Wedding Photography

02/12/2024

FIRST wedding anniversary congratulations to Emma West & Charles West, one year on from a fabulous day at Abbey House. Emma had dreamt of having a white wedding and she certainly did - it snowed and it snowed and it snowed!
Outside image: Steve Hillman Wedding Photography

01/12/2024

As a professional Toastmaster there are times, when all around you is fun and games, you need to say cool, calm and collected.
Steve Hillman Wedding Photography

01/12/2024

1 September saw me supporting Paula Hart & Michael Hart, during their wedding day and celebration at Abbey House. A great day from start to finish. As well as love, fun and laughter it, included a superb solo violin set from Alex Phillips-Yates (What The Pluck) and a great performance from James (The Undercover Waiters Ltd). In fact, James played his part (as I did, to be honest) in encouraging Paula to lead the conga line out of the function room and outside around the hotel fountain – a great fun moment that summed up a perfect day; fabulous! My thanks to Paula, Michael and their guests for their donations of £89 to my 24in24 fundraising appeal (Just Giving - search for bobwilliams24), in support of The Brain Tumour Charity – thank you.
Teamwork mattered: Laura Jayne Ellis, Lauren Gee, Rob Grimshaw and the team at Abbey House, Steve Hillman Wedding Photography Kay Booth Freelance Makeup Artist MUA Westmoreland & Furness Council Registration Service, Efflorescence Florist Alex Phillips-Yates The Undercover Waiters Ltd Lucie's Cake Co.
My congratulations, once again, Mr & Mrs Hart xx

30/11/2024

In a few weeks, the man in the red coat with white hair and a beard will be delivering presents. In the spirit of Christmas, this man in the red jacket and with white hair but no beard, will be delivering a present to his social media followers and friends - the gift of information, through my version of an advent calendar. From 1 December through to 24 December on Instagram (bobhostandtoast) and supported on Facebook (Bob Williams Event Host & Toastmaster), I’ll be posting pictures of me ‘in action and doing my job’. The aim is to give a far wider audience a better understanding of what I do as an Event Host & Toastmaster and how I‘ve built the reputation I’ve become known for. The pictures are from a gallery of around 200 pictures taken by Steve Hillman Wedding Photography over the last three years when we worked together. My thanks again to Steve Hillman and to the couples featured for wanting me to play my part in their big day.

Image: Steve Hillman Wedding Photography

29/11/2024

EVERY PICTURE TELLS ‘MY' STORY. Recently, my fellow wedding professional and good friend, Steve Hillman Wedding Photography, sent me a rather special gallery. Like many photographers I’ve worked with over the years, Steve had previously sent through many a ‘Bob doing his job’ image, but this time it was different – sending around 200 pictures of me in action and ‘doing my job,’ taken over the last three years when we’d worked together. They’re a perfect example of the saying ‘Every picture tells a story’ and capture perfectly what I do during a couple’s big day to ensure everything goes to plan and that they have a memorable, stress-free day. The pictures also show how, as well as having many satisfied couples, I’ve also become friends with a great many of them. You won’t be surprised to hear I’m currently thinking how I can share these images with a wider audience in the run up to Christmas, so watch this space! In the meantime, massive thanks, once again, to Steve Hillman and to the couples featured, for wanting me to play my part in their big day.

22/11/2024

THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST was all about buckets full of love, laughter and fun when Emma & Wayne Curtis were married and celebrated at Abbey House.
It was great and fun working with Jo Greenfield : Photographer and DJ David Pullan for the first time and I was humbled that Emma, Wayne and their guests kindly donated £224 to my 24in24 fundraising appeal (Just Giving - search for bobwilliams24), in support of The Brain Tumour Charity – thank you, once again.
Teamwork mattered: Laura Jayne Ellis, Lauren Gee, Rob Grimshaw and the great Abbey House team, Westmorland & Furness Registration Service, Jo Greenfield : Photographer, DJ David Pullan and Big Wow Events.
My congratulations, once again, Mr & Mrs Curtis xx

13/11/2024

HOLMES IS WHERE THE HEART IS. Towards the end of August, I supported Amanda Holmes & Michael Holmes during their wedding ceremony and celebration at the superb Abbey House. A day of love, fun and laughter included a great performance from the Silver Service Singers - Singing Waiters.
Teamwork mattered: Lauren Gee, Rob Grimshaw, Laura Jayne Ellis and the pro team at Abbey House, Pauline and Nicola at Westmorland and Furness Registration Service, Kay Booth Freelance Makeup Artist MUA, Efflorescence Florist, Sitting Pretty, RW Photography Silver Service Singers - Singing Waiters (Jess & Kirk)
My congratulations, once again, Mr & Mrs Holmes xx

12/11/2024

FIRST wedding anniversary CONGRATULATIONS to Alison Glover (the lady who, like me, supports the greatest football team in the world) and Andy Glover (the guy who supports that team that play on Merseyside in red shirts). One year on from a fabulous day at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, the memories are still strong, the donations to my fundraising appeal highly valued (Just Giving – (search for bobwilliams24) in support of The Brain Tumour Charity) and their review much appreciated… …and what a review it was:
“We met Bob for the first time at Abbey House wedding fair, he took the time to talk us through his service and what feedback he'd had from people. Leaving the wedding fair my husband said if we're booking anything its Bob, I need him! I asked around my friends and people that work in the wedding industry and everyone sung his praises. We had a few video calls with Bob on the lead up to our wedding and felt instantly at ease that he would ensure our day went smoothly. He even took the time to go and visit our wedding venue as it was a new venue to him and he wanted to ensure he had a good idea of how things would work on the day. This was a really nice personal touch. On one of our calls with Bob we shared our idea for our wedding entrance being Match of the Day and asked if he would be up for being the Ref and getting involved, him being a massive Man Utd fan he was fully on board with the Liverpool V Utd battle we had planned! When it was time for the speeches, he introduced everyone and made them feel at ease about it all. He spoke to all our guests and everyone sung his praises following the day. He kept everything flowing nicely also working with the hotel staff to make sure everything was timed perfectly. He helped gather people for photos, make sure everyone knew what was going on and when. He really held the day together. Bob you were a huge part of our day and we were so glad we booked you!”
Andy and Alison Glover
Thank you and congratulations, once again, Mr & Mrs Glover. xx

10/11/2024

A DIFFERENT DAY. Earlier this year, I supported the fabulous Sapphire Josephine & Ollie Harbidge during their amazing wedding day, a different day in every way - Booking made by Christine Harbidge, the mother-of-the groom and a Registrar with Westmorland & Furness Council. A drive through the beautiful Westmorland Dales and Eden Valley. Arrival at Holesfoot; a stunning, intimate wedding venue, nestled between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Rain cleared, allowing us to have a fabulous outdoor ceremony. Bride escorted down the aisle by her mum and dad, Rings delivered by the happy couple’s best friend, their Shorkie, Sootie. Drinks reception and photographs very nearly gate-crashed by a flock of excited sheep. Stunning wedding breakfast room setting. Groom broke his own record for downing a pint in less than four seconds. Bride, groom and guests kindly donated to my fundraising appeal, in support of The Brain Tumour Charity: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bobwilliams24
Great working with Liv and at Holesfoot for the first time.
Teamwork mattered: Liv and the fabulous Holesfoot team Julian Voigt Wedding Films Jasmine Andrews Photography Watters Designs, Manolo Blahnik, Sophie Jakeman Karen Rhodes Weddings & Events
My congratulations, once again, Mr & Mrs Harbidge xx

08/11/2024

MANY THANKS to BT Photographic, in particular Jamie Bell, for their excellent design, printing and framing work - event programme, special framed print, lectern panel - for the Northern Guild of Toastmasters, 40th ‘Ruby’ anniversary celebrations at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool, last Saturday. Thanks also to them for framing a Liverpool football shirt, signed by Kenny Dalglish and auctioned on the night, in support of my fundraising appeal (Just Giving - bobwilliams24). Quality work and first class customer service from a friendly, professional and independent local business.

08/11/2024

While having a great night, guests at the Northern Guild of Toastmasters, 40th ‘ruby’ anniversary celebrations at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool last Saturday, also gave very generously to my President's fundraising appeal (Just Giving - bobwilliams24) in support of The Brain Tumour Charity. Their generosity saw £900 being raised through the raffle and a winning £300 auction bid from Michael Shambley for a Liverpool shirt signed by the great Kenny Dalglish. Special thanks to my guests, Emma Conway and Bob Conway for sorting the shirt, but who couldn’t be with us due to illness.

The Brain Tumour Charity - North West & N. Ireland

08/11/2024

During the Northern Guild of Toastmasters 40th ‘ruby’ anniversary at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool, last Saturday, we were brilliantly entertained during the evening by The Brothers of Swing, singing modern classics with some great harmonies, Lionel Vinyl who took us back to the iconic 70s disco era, PrimeMover SoulStarz who served up some soul classics, while DJ Scottie linked the evening together with great tracks.

08/11/2024

As President of the Northern Guild of Toastmasters, I was honoured to play my part in its ‘ruby’ celebrations at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool last Saturday. I was delighted to say a few words of welcome and present an Associate Membership collarette to David Owen. I joined Chairman George Phillips to present John Herdman (the man who was the driving force, 40 years ago, to setting up the Guild) with a special signed print. At the end of the evening and much to his surprise, I presented our Toastmaster for the evening, Ian Wynne-Smythe, with his Full Membership collarette, in recognition of the work he had done in the run up to and during the evening – a fabulous job done ‘toastmastering the Toastmasters!’

08/11/2024

Last Saturday, (2 November) the Northern Guild of Toastmasters celebrated the Guild’s 40th ‘ruby’ anniversary at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool. What a full-on night it was with just over 130 guests, Toastmasters being recognised for the contribution they make to the Guild and the work they do, some great entertainment and very generous charitable donations. In fact, so much happened, it’s going to take a few more posts to tell the story.

Bob Williams Event Host & Toastmaster

17/12/2024

15/12/2024

09/12/2024

07/12/2024

02/12/2024

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01/12/2024

30/11/2024

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22/11/2024

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12/11/2024

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