Youth Speaks 2007

On Wednesday 21^st February teams from five local schools and a guest team from Holland met at Battle Abbey School to compete in the area Youth Speaks public speaking contest, organised jointly by the Bexhill and Battle clubs.

In addition to the hosts, there were scheduled two teams from Robertsbridge Community College, two teams from St. Richard’s Catholic College, and teams from Claverham Community College, Bexhill High School, and a team from De Lage Waard School (who knew that they would not be eligible to progress further in the competition). The Dutch team were invited to attend by Battle, following the club’s visit to Papendrecht last year, as it was suggested that it would strengthen inter-club relations. Their team coped well with the obvious language and presentation difficulties, and in the words of Battle Rotary’s Michael Hodge (International & Foundation) they were “admirable representatives of their school and country”.

The event was well supported by Rotarians, families and friends, who were also able to enjoy the wonderful setting of Battle Abbey.

The quality of the speakers was excellent, and subjects included Teenagers in the Media; The B Word, meaning bullying; Wealth and Celebrity : a modern moral labyrinth; Youth Depression; Self Harming; and Difficult Question : Your Question Is? It all made for a most enjoyable evening, and on the night the winning team from Claverham had the X factor and go on to the district final at Maidstone on 3^rd March, where we all wish them every success.

District Final