A grounding in debating
Youth Speaks: A Debate, another long-standing nationwide competition run by Rotary across the country, aims at giving young people an experience in debating and public speaking that will benefit them forever.
Teams are drawn from senior schools and, depending on their age, compete in junior, intermediate or senior categories. Each team has three members – chairperson, proposer and opposer – who have 15 minutes to debate a subject of the team’s choice.
The winners in each age group go forward to the district heat… and maybe further. A team from Roundwood Park School is a past national winner and Beechwood Park School won the national final this year.
Latest news
The elm makes a comeback!
With almost all large specimens of elm having been lost to Dutch Elm Disease, a new specimen, highly resistant to the disease, has been planted on Harpenden Common.
The gift of Rotary in Harpenden, the new tree stands close to the footpath linking Rothamsted Park with the southern end of the High Street.
Modular homes revive Ukrainian village
Local Rotarians pictured with one of the 124 temporary modular homes that have helped to house residents of Moshchun, a village near the Ukrainian capital, where Russian bombardment destroyed or severely damaged 70% of the buildings.
Their appeal to other Rotary clubs brought support from 12 countries including Britain. Our Ukrainian Quiz Night, held in November, raised funds for furniture and other household essentials.