The Rotary Club of Farnham and the Rotary Club of Farnham Weyside ran its ever-popular annual local heats of the Youth Speaks competition in the main lecture theatre at the University for the Creative Arts.

The well-established Rotary competition provides opportunities for young people between 11 and 17 years of age to experience speaking on a public platform as a member of a team, to formulate ideas on topical subjects, and to learn and practise high standards of expression, presentation and appearance – all within the discipline of presenting in a limited time.

The competition is open to all schools in the area, and Eggar’s and Weydon came forward with two teams.

At the intermediate level Weydon School were the winners with Sophia Guwy proposing the motion ‘School uniform prevents self-expression and should be banned’ and Matilda Whittle opposing it, with Eva Bolton-Stanley as chairperson.

At the seniors level it was Eggar’s who won with Nakeisha Kemp proposing the motion ‘Private schools promote inequality’ and Robbie McRiley opposing it, with Isobel Tarbutt as chairperson.

Sophia Guwy won the best intermediate speaker award and Robbie McRiley the best senior speaker.

John Lewis, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Farnham Weyside, welcomed the teams and commended all the pupils for taking on the challenge.

Jacqui Priddle, president of the Rotary Club of Farnham, presented the prizes, and gave the winners all the very best for the next round.