Speech!

I wouldn't like to try and list all of the things about business that I find a bit difficult or unenjoyable but networking is certainly one of them. And in a rather blunt solution to this problem, I tend to avoid it whenever I can. Today, though, was the Chamber of Commerce summer lunch and while I might miss all of the other lunches throughout the year, I always go to this one as my MP, Tim Farron, makes a speech.

One of my colleagues gave me a lift up from the office to the hotel where the event was taking place and it was with a great deal of reluctance that I got out of the car. Still, after I took a deep breath and a last look around the car park - peppered with people on their 'phones - I went into the event.

As you'd expect, the reception area was full of exhibition stands and people trying to catch your eye, so I put my head down and walked resolutely through to the bar. Any hopes of encountering a small cluster of beer-drinking network-avoiders were dashed by more exhibition stands and lots of people drinking tea and coffee. It was at this point that someone called my name and I was involved in a brief chat about how things were going. And I'm not complaining about that; it'd be churlish to take exception to people being friendly.

But I did excuse myself as soon as it was polite to and started to head back outside, thinking it might be nice to find somewhere to sit in the sun. Happily, though, as I was walking out, I bumped into a chap whom I've known for many years and less than two minutes later - there was no queue at the bar - we were enjoying a pint and catching up on one another's news.

Lunch itself wasn't too bad and the MP's speech was excellent. He is one of a small handful of people whom I know personally who can stand up and make a confident, interesting and entertaining speech from a small sheet of notes, yet sound like they've been rehearsing for weeks. I can't remember all the subjects he touched upon nor am I quite sure how long he spoke for but I was completely absorbed.

He ended with an impassioned plea for all of the non-Scots in the audience to do our best to keep Scotland in the UK. We don't have a vote, of course, but he cited the example of when Quebec was voting for independence and thousands of Canadians travelled to Quebec with placards such as "We love you Quebec!" to encourage them to stay. I must say that I feel the same way - I love Scotland and all my friends there - but I strongly sympathise with the desire to be independent from England and, perhaps more particularly, London.

I did take a photo in the very large conference room in which the lunch was held but, on reflection, it was rather dull. So I've used this shot instead, which I took on my way back to the office. I love these redundant bridges that once provided a way across the now filled in canal. Perhaps they will have their day again if the proposal to re-open the canal ever goes ahead, unlikely as that may seem.