Mr Gordon Tregear, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, visited Hurstpierpoint College Music Hall on Monday 9 November to hand out certificates and prizes to all competitors in the local heat of the Rotary Youth Speaks national competition. He was extremely complimentary not only of the participants and hosts but also of the Rotary Club for their support of young people in the area.

Ten teams, four intermediate and six seniors representing all the local secondary schools, took part in the competition. Teams of three prepared and presented a timed talk on a subject of their choice.  This year's teams had tough judging panels to impress. For the seniors, the Adjudicators included the Chairman of Burgess Hill Town Council and a Head Teacher.  For the intermediate age group, their formidable panel include a professional Toastmaster and a local Magistrate.

All the participants had worked very hard and some excellent and well thought out presentations were heard from both levels of competitors.  There had to be winners and it was almost a clean sweep for Burgess Hill School for Girls, who took both team prizes, all the individual prizes in the senior age group and two of the three in the intermediate age group. The lone competitor who prevented a clean sweep was the Vote of Thanks presenter for Hurstpierpoint College intermediate team who was awarded the prize for his excellent contribution.

Sincere thanks were passed to Hurstpierpoint College staff and students for their superb hosting of the event and also for the intermission musical presentation of songs with guitar accompaniment from two extremely talented sixth form students. The club also thanked James Gartrell who organised the evening, Ellen Zoratti who assisted him and also all the Rotarians who attended and performed key roles.

Next year's event will be hosted by Burgess Hill School for Girls.