TWO teams of 12-year-old pupils from Minehead Middle School debated topics such as ‘Should smokers be treated by the NHS?’ and ‘Finders keepers: should treasure hunters keep their finds?’ in a debating competition organised by Minehead Rotary Club.

The team of three comprised the proposer and opposer of the motion and a chairman to keep order. A panel of judges listened to the 15-minute debate and then gave advice and positive criticism to help the teams with the next stage of the competition.

As a result of votes by the audience, smokers should consider giving up smoking soon but it was better news for those with metal detectors!

Organiser Peter Conrad said: “This is a new approach for the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition which we have organised for the last 25 years.

“Instead of the presentation of a topic by the team of three youngsters, this is like a parliamentary debate and is designed to support and encourage the development of effective communication skills by young people, using well researched facts and opinions expressed in a cogent logical argument, without all the parliamentary hoo-hah as well!”

Peter hopes that more schools in West Somerset will be motivated to take part in the January 2021 competition. It is open to ages 11 to 13 and a senior team aged 13 to 17. As well as schools, youth clubs, scouts or guides can also enter teams.