AS part of the programme which Rotary organises to help develop student's skills, the Rotary Club of Barry held its Youth Speaks competition on Wednesday, January 21.

The competition was hosted by Elena Morgan of Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg. Three junior teams competed and two senior teams, all from the Welsh School.

The junior competition was won by Huw Jones, Twm Aled, and Indeg Evans whose subject was "Obesity: an Expanding Problem”. Huw Jones and Twm Aled were also named as best chairman and best speaker, with Carys Fox best Proposer of Vote of Thanks.

Other competitors were Thomas Pugh, Arwel Thomas, James Rees, Mary Ann Moss, and Beca Berry.

Two teams competed for the senior award in a contest which was won by Elin Alexander, Brennig Davies, and Megan Davies whose subject was “Scientific Knowledge is only as Beneficial as Humanity is Good”.

Brennig won best speaker and Megan best Proposer of Vote of Thanks. Other participants were Tirion Davies, Niclas Want, and Anwen Fardy, with Tirion named best chairperson.

Judges were Terry Brooks and Phil McCaffrey of Cardiff Speakers Club with Alan Yeomans of the Rotary Club as questioner.

Phil spoke for the judges and gave helpful advice for future contests. Both winning teams will now go on to the next stage to be held at Cardiff Golf Club on Monday, February 2 competing with other Vale and Cardiff teams.

In summing up, Robin Pitcher, president of Barry Rotary Club, said that the level of competition had been outstanding and particularly congratulated all participants on their confidence and voice projection – skills which would serve them well in their future careers. He also thanked Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg for supporting the event.