The thirteenth Youth Speaks Competition was held at the Middleton Hall, Hull University; the university co-sponsors the event with other well-known local and international businesses and patrons.  Roy White, President of RC Humberside was on hand to award the George Daniels Trophy to the best team in the intermediate section.  DG Mohammad Ali presented the Yeadon Trophy to the winning team in the senior competition and the Hornsea Trophy to the best senior speaker.

South Holderness sent two teams for the intermediate competition and were rewarded when their younger team showed amazing public speaking abilities to lift the trophy; their speakers had difficulty in seeing the audience over the lectern and made Roy White look positively tall!

Seven teams competed for the senior event and there were a variety of topics ranging from 'Why we should withdraw from the EU' to 'Has female emancipation led to enslavement of men?' and 'Make do and Mend' for the Credit Crunch;  Climate Change was debated in both competitions and the other subjects were related to their proponents' ages and situations.

Head judge Janet Brumby, in summing up, said that the result had been very close indeed with the 'B' team from Longcroft just piping Pocklington School to take the trophy.  Longcroft's main speaker, Jack Snowden was awarded the Hornsea Trophy.  Mohammad Ali also handed the placed teams cheques which are to be used to purchase specific pieces of equipment needed by the schools.  The winning team will participate in the Regional Finals, being held at Loughborough on 15th March.