After Dinner Speeches

The Storyteller Supreme

Inn and Out at the Top

In a long and very chequered career, among a bewildering variety of other jobs, Neil Hanson has been an Oxford graduate, a plasterer’s mate, an ice cream salesman, a holiday camp redcoat and – simultaneously – an art critic and a rugby league commentator. He’s edited the boozer’s Bible – the Good Beer Guide – a job, he says, where it was practically a sacking offence not to go to the pub at lunchtime. He also ran, and later owned, Britain’s highest inn, in a remote corner of the Yorkshire Dales, went round the world twice and worked as a print journalist and radio broadcaster in Britain, Australia and New Zealand. He is now a very successful author with over 60 published books to his name. As well as his own work, he’s also a “ghost writer” for, among others, sports stars, showbiz legends, captains of industry, SAS men, pilots, a treasure diver, an explorer, a kidnap negotiator, an undercover investigator and a spy.

An award winning speaker, he has entertained audiences at every type of occasion – corporate events, conferences, festivals, luncheon clubs, dinners and banquets – throughout the UK and in New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Kansas City, New Orleans, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland and Wellington.

His after-dinner speech “Inn & Out at the Top” is a laugh-a-minute tour of the quirks and foibles, highs and lows of running Britain’s highest inn – so isolated that its next-door neighbour was 4 miles away and so high above sea level that it had its own climate, with winds that could tear car-doors off their hinges, and winter snows that cut off the inn for weeks on end.

A hugely engaging storyteller, Neil’s account of his time at the inn, grappling with tight-fisted farmers, eccentric characters, bizarre local customs, naturist weekends, “lates and lock-ins”, police raids by appointment, rats in the attic, close encounters with magistrates and planners, and the shooting of a famous double glazing commercial, is suitable for all audiences.

Video URL: https://vimeo.com/250133011

To enquire about booking Neil for your event, go to https://www.a-speakers.com/speakers/neil-hanson-keynote-speaker/

 

Praise for Neil Hanson’s Speeches

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'The best after dinner speaker I've ever heard.'
- Audience member, Everest Ltd, 50th Anniversary Celebrations

‘We have had such positive feedback, nearly all mentioned your speech and how much they enjoyed it. My husband was laughing so much he was nearly crying! ’
- Sandy Rysiok, Society of Municipal Treasurers

‘The best - and the best-received - of all the 100 events we have put on here.’

- Ed Tracy, Executive Director, The Pritzker, Chicago

'I would like to thank you for being a wonderful after dinner speaker. Your humour, wit and entertaining ability all conspired to keep a very diverse audience entranced and left everyone wanting more from you, a rare gift. You really made our dinner special.'
- Janet Munro, Soroptimist International

• • ‘It really was a pleasure to host you. I have had nothing but positive responses since the dinner – you really hit the right note – thank you.’
    - Commander Andrew Coles, HMS Drake, Plymouth

    ‘I just wanted to ask you to pass on a huge thank you to Neil Hanson for doing such a wonderful event here. It went down fantastically well.’
    - Rachel Feldberg, Director, Ilkley Festival

    ‘Neil Hanson was an outstanding speaker – warm, funny, humane; speaking (not a note in sight) without repetition, hesitation or deviation.’
    
    
    
    
    - Stephen Brown, Chairman, Yorkshire Post Literary Luncheons

    ‘It was a joy to have you with us... your presentation drew raves.’
    - Eli Paul, Director, National World War I Museum, Kansas City

    Best Speaker (voted by audiences),
    - Brisbane Festival

    'You were awesome.'
    
    
    - Thomas Power, Chairman, ecademy