Traffic control and cream teas were among the topics debated at this year’s Helston Junior Youth Speaks competition.

Oganised by the Rotary Club of The Cober Valley, the event took place last Tuesday at St Michael’s School.

A total of seven teams participated, from St Michael’s, Godolphin, Parc Eglos and Sithney Junior schools, with some of the schools entering more than one team.

The teams spoke to an audience of parents, friends, teachers and Rotarians, all of whom were left impressed by the clarity and confidence of the speakers.

The Rotary competition is well established in the senior schools of the area, but this is only the second year that it has included junior schools.

Each team consisted of three competitors: the chairman, the main speaker and the proposer of the vote of thanks. This year entrants could speak on any topic. The subjects chosen were diverse and ranged from serious ones such as traffic control to the lighter hearted, but no less complex, should it be jam or cream on the top of a scone?

Caroline Hemsworth, of Cober Valley Rotary, said: “It was obvious that all the teams had spent a lot of time studying and researching their chosen subjects, which produced relevant and balanced opinions.

“The standard of all the teams was so high that the judges had difficulty in selecting the winners.”

After much deliberation the winners’ cup was presented to Godolphin Primary School’s team two, made up of Oliver Kemp, Louis Usher and Titus Zemkus. They discussed the subject “Is there anyone out there?”

The runners-up were Sithney School, whose team consisted of Samuel Price, Maisey Vincent and Josie Lovekin talking about “cycling safety”.

Both these teams will now go on to compete in the regional final on February 28 at 4pm.

All the participating speakers received a medal for their efforts, with the prizes given out by Stephen Lay, Rotary district governor elect.

Cober Valley Rotary Club thanked everyone who took part in the competition and their teachers for all the hard work that they put into the event, before wishing the two teams going forward to the regional finals the best of luck. Thanks were also given to St Michael’s School for their hospitality, to the judges and to Carol Lay for hosting the proceedings.

This is an annual competition, open to all junior schools in the Helston area. Anyone requiring more information about the competition should log onto www.cobervalleyrotary.org.uk