Youth Speaks Competitions 2025

On the first two Monday evenings in November, our Club held its annual Youth Speaks competitions at Bishop’s Stortford College, ably organised by Rob Whitaker, one of our Corporate members, with help from some of his colleagues at TeesLaw.

The Senior competition was held on 10th November. Five teams took part from Bishop’s Stortford College, The Bishop’s Stortford High School and Herts and Essex High School.  The teams spoke on such diverse subjects as 'The Pursuit of Happiness', and 'Do you feel lucky?'.  All teams were of an exceptionally high standard, and the three judges - Rosie Howatson, Victoria Kerr, and Nick Hyde - had a very difficult task.  They decided the winner was the team from Herts and Essex High School, whose subject was 'The Truth about Lying'. 

The Intermediate competition was held on 17th November. Seven teams took part from the same schools as the senior competition, plus Hockerill Anglo European College and St Mary’s Catholic School.  Again, the teams were all of a very high standard, speaking on such topics as 'Speak Up' and 'The End of Homework'. The judges again had a hard task choosing the winning team, which was again Herts & Essex High School, who received the trophy.  Two splendid evenings and congratulations to the winners.

Members of all teams were presented with a certificate and the winning teams were presented with a trophy by President Brian Morgan.