ON Saturday, February 1, Barnard Castle and Darlington Rotary Clubs’ annual debating competition for young people was held at Teesdale School and Sixth Form.
Cheered on by supporters, teams from All Saints Academy, Ingleby Barwick; Barnard Castle School; Darlington Youth Partnership; and Teesdale School and Sixth Form debated complex social issues. This year the problems posed for discussion were: “Has a competitive society created a knife crime epidemic?” and “Childhood vaccinations should be compulsory”.
In addition to inter-team debates, all participants answered questions from both the judges and audience members, with the judges commenting on their outstanding grasp and depth of knowledge about the difficult issues being debated.
The winning team was from All Saints Academy and they received a trophy and individual awards from the chairman of the judging panel, Matthew Read of The Bowes Museum.
Additionally, all participants were presented with certificates and cash prizes by the mayors of Barnard Castle and Darlington.
Colin Dunnighan
Barnard Castle Rotary
