Silver ware returns to Northern Ireland when Kilkeel High School , Kilkeel , Northern Ireland Wins BPW's National Public Speaking Competition 2006
On 25 th March 2006 Moreton Hall School near Oswestry, was the setting once again for the BPW 'Public Speaking Competition' National Final, - generously sponsored by the English Speaking Board (ESB).
Throughout Autumn 2006 numerous schools completed at club events, with the winning teams going onto Regional heats. From these rounds sic BPW Regions put forward teams who travelled from all parts of the UK to join in what was a day of high standard competition.
Each team is allocated 15 minutes with the 'meeting in miniature' being opened by the Chairman - handed over to the Speaker - before ad-hoc questions from the audience with the Expresser of Thanks from one of the other teams closing the session.
The speakers' topics were very diverse and it was gratifying to see such a high level of confidence displayed by all participants. The topics for 2006 were:-
- The growing need for technology.
- Young people, more sinned against than sinning?
- Dying to be equal
- Should women abuse their bodies?
- Scotland is the place to be.
- Is America taking over our lives?
The panel of Judges comprised:-
- Ann Wiseall, Chairman who is National President of BPWUk
- David Skipper - Formerly Headmaster of Ellesmere College and Merchant Taylor School , Northwood.
- Alex Daborn - An ESB Trustee
The Judges took the lunch time to deliberate on the performances and then returned to the hall to give some insight into the different aspects of the competition and commented on the variety of skills of all the competitors. They were then presented with their awards and certificates for participating in the competition at National Level By Merriel Halsall-Williams of the ESB.
The Awards:-
The Elizabeth Peacock Cup - awarded at the discretion of the Judges for any aspect of the competition that they felt appropriate - this was awarded to Stuart Ritchie from Wallace High School , Stirling .
The Carillion Trophy - for the best Expresser of Thanks - went to Mandy Stevenson, Kilkeel High School , Kilkeel.
The South Eastern Division Trophy - for the best Speaker - went to Andrea Hanna, Kilkeel High School , Kilkeel.
The Bradford Trophy - for best Chairman - went to Kevin Hynes, Billericay School , Billericay.
The Eastern Division Trophy - for the team which were runners up - went to Wallace High School , Stirling .
The Dalton Trophy - for the winning team - went to Kilkeel High School , Kilkeel , Northern Ireland
Special thanks must also go to two people who worked very hard 'behind the scenes' to ensure that the competition and the day went off as well as it did. They are
Annette Jones a BPW member for Oswestry and Merriel Halsall-Williams of the ESB.
