FOR the first time, three primary schools in the Callington area have entered teams in the annual Rotary Club 'Youth speaks' competition.

Two three person teams from each of the local schools, Stoke Climsland Primary, Harrowbarrow School and Callington Primary School, met at Callington, to establish which two would progress to the area heats to be held at Callington Community College on March 2.

The event was very well supported by teaching staff from the three schools concerned plus a large number of parents and siblings.

All six teams spoke passionately, and with great confidence.

The chosen subjects were extremely diverse, encompassing sport, education, imagination, local communities and animal welfare. Listening to the presentations, it was difficult to believe that the average competitor was only ten years of age, said the judges.

At the conclusion of the evening the rotary judging panel offered great praise to all of the competing teams, but decided that the clear winners were team 1 from Harrowbarrow School, whose speaker, Zoe Middleton spoke so assuredly on 'The Community of Harrowbarrow' and was supported so ably by her proposer, Sam Lane and supporter Eve Rogers.

They will be joined at the area heats by the runners up, Stoke Climsland team 1 where speaker Chloe Taylor, strongly supported by Stephanie Kane and Katie Neal, put forward an excellent presentation on 'Animals in Captivity'.