A READER at St John’s Church, Ben Rhydding, is to be a finalist in the National Association of Speakers Clubs Evaluation Contest.

Sylvia Walker, of Steeton, took part in the Eastern District (Yorkshire and NE) Speakers Club Finals at The Bridge Hotel, near Wetherby.

There were three competitions: speech, evaluation and topics, and Sylvia, who is vice-president of Craven Speakers Club, was winner of the evaluation competition, in which she had to evaluate a speech given by a volunteer, showing good points of the speech, and how it could be improved.

The finalists will go to the national competition of The Association of Speakers Clubs at Southport on April 24-26 April to compete against the finalists from the other seven UK districts.

Sylvia said: “Improving my speaking skills in a supportive environment gives me confidence, expertise, and a lot of fun!”

The next Craven Speakers Club will be held on Monday at 28 Otley Street, Skipton.