Inter-Club Debate, Thursday 4th October

At our meeting on Thursday 4th October our Club welcomed West Coast Speakers Club for a debate.  The motion to be debated was "The school leaving age should return to 15."  West Coast Club, represented by Anna Wilson and Jess Longrigg, spoke for the motion and Carlisle & District, represented by Richard Hunt and Ella Atherton, spoke against it.  The debate was a friendly competition, taking the place of the usual format of prepared speeches.   We were delighted to welcome past members and friends as guests in addition to our 'official' guests from West Coast, and our larger-than-usual audience clearly enjoyed the occasion.  The audience put some tough questions to the debaters, and finally decided by ballot after the Chairman Susan Trafford had closed the debate that West Coast were the winners.  Many thanks were given to Susan from all sides for her hard work in organising the occasion; watch for a repeat competition in later seasons!