Speakers Henry Leask and Lucy Rice

Rotary club of Stirling  Meeting of 10/7/15.
President Peter Mehta welcomed our visitors, Jim McPherson, and euroscholars Lucy Rice and Henry Leask.
Peter congratulated Alex Scott on reaching the age of 92.
The Recent Jackson Christie golf event had to be abandoned due to torrential rain, but will be rerun on Tuesday 18th August.
Our speakers Henry Leask, head boy of Stirling High, and Lucy Rice head girl of St Modans talked about their recent week at the European parliament in Strasbourg as euroscholars.  They were chosen after completing an essay on a European topic, followed by an interview conducted in French. The party from Scotland numbered 26,as part of a group of more than 600 students from all over Europe.On arrival in Strasbourg they were allocated to a group, immigration in Lucy's case and freedom of information in Henry's.Discussion within the groups brought strong and often irreconcilable views to light. They had to further inform their discussion by conducting interviews with passers by in the street.
The highlight was a two hour session in the parliament during which they could question MEPs on any topic. Not surprisingly they did not always receive satisfactory answers.  Both felt that apart from being enjoyable, the week had greatly enhanced their confidence and language skills.  Both are now going to the University of Glasgow, Lucy to study French , and Henry Economics and French.
The vote of thanks was given by Martin Ross.
Next week Speaker's host Frank Kelly, and Visitor's host Ian Richardson.
Ian Richardson