Pupils speak out on a range of subjects (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pupils speak out on a range of subjects

BULLYING, animal welfare and Big Brother were among the topics covered by schoolchildren from Melksham in a public speaking competition.

Youthspeaks, a competition hosted by the Rotary Club, attracted a host of topics geared at sparking a debate as youngsters went head to head at George Ward School.

Teams consisted of a chair, a speaker and a proposer of thanks with students encouraged to think-up topics and research them thoroughly.

Prizes were awarded for the best displays mixing humour, facts and delivery, with the school's former head of English, Peter King, coming back to dish out the gongs.

Mr King, who has been involved in the competition since 1972, commended the pupils for their clear and concise performances.

He said: "I am privileged to listen to these young people who gave us the brightest of evenings in a dull month."

Beat the Bully scooped the junior prize while the senior award went to Knowing the Unknown who focused on the world of the supernatural.

Pupil Amelie Exton won the best overall speaker prize.