History Of A Toastmaster
History tells us that there two main people who were heavily influential in the development of Toastmasters as we know them today.
Richard 'Beau' Nash was a larger than life character, born in Swansea in 1674. Details on his formative years are scarce but he studied law at Jesus College, Oxford. He was quite a dandy, dressed in a frock coat, knee breeches, black stockings and silver buckled shoes. However he was not particularly academic and after a short spell in the Guards soon found himself in trouble by cavorting with too many women. He moved to Bath where he became assistant to the Master Of Ceremonies. Soon after, due to his employer being killed in a sword fight he found himself appointed Master Of Ceremonies, a title which he held for over fifty years.
He would organise many events in Bath society life and created a strict code of etiquette and behaviour for its citizens to adhere to. To this end he became one of the most influential men in social history of England.
A Toastmaster is employed to preside over an event and must be immediately recognised. The tradition is that he should be more splendidly dressed than the guests present goes right back to these times of Richard 'Beau' Nash.
Extracts taken from Beau Nash: Monarch of Bath and Tunbridge Wells, by Willard Connely 1955
Some 130 years after the death of Richard 'Beau' Nash, a Toastmaster of repute by the name of William Knightsmith was becoming increasingly frustrated at being mistaken for a waiter at events that he was attending. Having explained this to his wife, she suggested that he should change the colour of his coat so that it made him stand out. Soon after, the 'hunting pink' tailcoat became the adopted form of dress for Toastmasters. The name is derived from Mr Pink, the tailor who designed them.
In the City of London the 'hunting pink' tailcoat is generally not worn because the law stated that the hunt was not allowed to pass through the City. Toastmasters in the City sometimes wear a red sash under their black tailcoat.
In the 17th century, during the reign of Charles II, pieces of spiced toast were added to the wine. Firstly to enhance its flavour and secondly to keep sediment which was often found in the wine at the bottom.
