Chester annual youth debate competition 2025

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Friends of the Narrows Community Park

Since 2019, a group of volunteers have been working in the Narrows Community Park in Hoole to develop a number of meadows and planted areas with the support of the Council - this has been much appreciated by local residents and the park has won several awards (King and Queen Consort Coronation Biodiversity Competition - CWAC - 1st Prize (2023), RHS Its your Neighbourhood Outstanding - Level 5 Award (2023) and Cheshire West Design Awards, Commended - Public Realm (2025)).

The local community have really responded positively to the changes in the park over the past 6 years; people now stop and spend time looking at the various meadows on the park, rather than simply walking through.

Sep 19, 2024 | Community, Rotary Club of Chester, Youth Competitions

We will be holding the Chester annual youth debating competition (Youth Speaks - a Debate) on Wednesday 22 and 29 January 2025. All Chester High Schools were invited to participate. Our competitions this year will be held in the historic Chester Town Hall, and we hope that it will be a memorable experience for those taking part.

There are 2 age categories - 11-13 years (Intermediate) and 14-17 years (Senior).

Teams of three students present a debate on a subject of their choice, arguing the pros and cons before an audience of their peers and a panel of judges. A team from each event will qualify for the Rotary District round in March.

Details of the event are as follows:
Entries for the Intermediate Event, 22 Jan 25

Blacon High School
Christleton High School
The Bishops Bluecoat High School
The King’s School Chester
Upton-by-Chester High School

Judges:

Kerry Courtney Business Lecturer | Skin & Wellbeing Specialist | Business Owner

Cat Williams Inspirational Speaker | Author | Clinical Hypnotherapist

Entries for the Senior Event, 29 Jan 25

Blacon High School
Christleton High School
The Hammond
The Queen’s School Chester
The King’s School Chester
Upton-by-Chester High School

Judges:

Rev Maureen Pickering (Retired teacher, Clergy at St Mary’s Handbridge

Sekki Tabasuares (Writer, Actor, Facilitator, Director Stand Tall Improv CIC and a member of Chester Speaking Club)

Kate (Jackson) Manton Business Lecturer (Operations, Marketing, ILM)/ Facilitator and Coach/ Publisher/ TedX speaker and a member of Chester Speaking Club)

The Rotary information pack gives full details of the format of the competition..

Chester annual youth debate competition Youth Speaks - a Debate

Or download the information pack here

Details of previous competitions can be found on our debates page - this will be the third year of the competition and interest is growing!

Rotary International GB&I offer a range of youth competitions - view them at the Rotary website

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