STOURBRIDGE Speakers Club were celebrating this week after claiming the much coveted Blarney Stone with victory over Bromsgrove.

The Stourbridge Institute-based club, which had a new member featuring for them in the local competition, extended their winning streak to six after their close-fought away success at The Bell in Belbroughton.

Each team put forward four team members to deliver prepared speeches using identical predetermined agreed topics, which this time were seaside, country and town, and each club had to deliver one speech in each category.

Judged by three external judges, the competition was praised for the quality of all the speakers on the night, but the final voting resulting in a 2-1 majority vote in favour of Stourbridge, giving the club a total of 12 wins in the history of the rivalry.

Ben Collins, one of the participants for Stourbridge Speakers Club, said: “We are so proud to have won. Thank you to all the team members hard work and to the other club members for their feedback and support to help us along the way.”

The night also helped raise money for charity after a raffle organised by Bromsgrove Speakers Club saw £40 donated to the club’s chosen cause – The Primrose Hospice.

Stourbridge Speakers Club hold meetings every alternative Monday evenings between 8pm and 10pm at Stourbridge Institute and welcome new, potential members. For more information about the club, call 07544 198309, or visit www.stourbridgespeakers.org.uk