Debating Society

J. C. S. Dalgleish coupled with their own abundant enthusiasm proved deadly for the opposition and they showed our confidence in them had been well-founded by winning the Junior Cross-Country in fine style.

The chess team led by A. J. George had two comfortable victories over the Rise and Dronfield before losing to Queen's in the final. We were also losing finalists in the 7-a-side hockey tournament, being defeated by the narrowest of margins.

Members of the House were again active in the life of the School as a whole and eight of our number took part in the Concert at the beginning of March.

At the end of term Senior House Colours were awarded to J. S. D. Pearson, S. A. A. Taylor, A. R. Heddle and P. M. Shepherd, and Junior Colours to Coates-Walker R. M., Newdick J. M., Flint, Rounthwaite. Hirst, Nichols I. A., Procter, Pulleyn and Widdicombe. J.A.M.

The Debating Society is one of variable fortunes and standards, both factors having become increasingly obvious during the past two terms. With numbers varying from twelve up to sixty-one the fortunes can well be adjudged as variable, while the standard of debating varies between atrocious and brilliant.

During the Christmas term four debates were held on a formal basis and one as a discussion. The first debate was of a formal nature with the motion "This house believes that British troops should be withdrawn from Ulster, now!" The opposition led by Neil Bowen and seconded by Chris Brown triumphed over the proposition of Simon Robinson and Robert Spence. A discussion was held with Queen Anne's the following Thursday, the topic under discussion being "Man's freedom." The next debate was once again internal with the motion "This house sees no basic difference between Conservative and Labour governments." The proposition led by Simon Robinson and Robin Turton vanquished the ideas of the Opposition led by Richard Hornby and seconded by Peter Strachan. by three votes to one with eight abstentions. The following debate was

held with Queen Anne's in the Stephenson Room, taking the form of a balloon debate. In the balloon were Avril Anderson as Virgin Mary,

Brian Macartney as Rasputin, Christine Jackson as Mary Whitehouse and Chris Brown as Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ pleading for the "salvation of mankind" was victorious. The final debate of the term was external and held at Queen Margaret's, Escrick. The motion was "This House is being corrupted by the environment." Proposed by Carol Wilbraham and Fiona Jackson with an Opposition of John Mitchell and Chris Browrk . the latter came out on top by 24 votes to 7 with one abstention.

The Easter Term saw only one formal debate being held. This was

once again with Queen Margaret's, the motion being "This House believes that the end of the world is nigh". This was proposed by Simon Robinson and Steve Parker, and opposed by Denise Robertson and Pamela Smith. After an interesting and informative debate the motion was declared lost by 30 votes to 28 with 3 abstentions. Due to exam pressures no other debates were able to be arranged; however, more encouragement needs to be given to the younger members of the School to get them to participate. 48