A Weybourne school is the talk of the town after putting in an all-conquering performance in a debating competition.

All Hallows had the final word in the annual Youth Speaks Competition organised by the Rotary Clubs of Farnham in conjunction with the UCA.

The school triumphed in the senior section of the January 15 heat in the UCA lecture theatre while the case put forward by Eggar’s proved too compelling n the intermediate category.

Ash Manor and Weydon schools also entered debating teams with subjects ranging from ultra-processed food and nuclear disarmament to AI and abortion.

Eggar's Youth Speaks Farnham Rotary
The Eggar's team were declared the winners in the Intermediate section (Judith Stephens)

Visitors and students were welcomed by Jodie Ayres of UCA ahead of an introduction by John Lewis, past president of Farnham Weyside Rotary Club. Rotarian Norma Corkish outlined the programme with senior teams following the intermediates.

Students definitely did their homework with chairman of the judges, Jonathan Jones, calling “everyone a winner” for their confident and measure responses.

Eggar’s gave chapter and verse in their winning performance in a debate about the re-introduction of the death penalty, while All Hallows were word-perfect in a debate about children being sheltered from technology while growing up.

Weydon School Youth Speaks Farnham
The Weydon intermediate team put forward their case during the debate in the UCA lecture theatre. (Judith Stephens)

Town clerk, Iain Lynch, was involved in the questioning in both sections with the winners being presented with medals, gift vouchers and a place in the next round in Guildford.

The proposer from Weydon and the opposer from All Hallows also won prizes as the best speaker in the intermediate and senior sections, respectively. All competitors were also given a tote bag and information about UCA courses and facilities on offer to students attending the university.

Teams from both Farnham Rotary Club and representatives from Farnham Speakers Club have worked with pupils from several schools over the last six months to gain confidence and experience in public speaking.