Society can survive without the internet – though it might be a little more inconvenient – argued the winning team (John Taylor High School) at the Michael Fabricant Arthur Price of England Schools Speaking Competition on Friday night in the Lichfield Guildhall (8th March).

Six teams took part from the Chase Terrace Technology College; Erasmus Darwin Academy, Chasetown; The Friary School, King Edward VI, and Netherstowe – all from Lichfield; and John Taylor High School in Barton under Needwood.

And although it was their very first time taking part in the competition, John Taylor High School won both awards: Best Overall Team and Best Speaker. (Often the Best Speaker comes from a different Team). Robert Adderley who summed up the John Taylor High School Team, won the best overall speaker award as he was fluent in summarising the questions and answers that had been asked of the main speakers.

“The standard this year was particularly high” says Michael Fabricant. “There were at least three speakers all of a very high standard indeed. The arguments presented against the internet were varied and some were quite philosophical. In particular, one student said that the age of the internet had brought in an age of cynicism where no ‘expert’ can be trusted which is damaging to society. I’ve invited the winning team to have a tour and drink with me in the House of Commons.”

The Speaking Competition is run on Parliamentary lines with full ceremonial and waving of Order Papers. The silver cups are provided by Simon Price, managing director of Arthur Price of England.

Three photographs show the Competition in progress in the Lichfield Guildhall; all the teams, judges, Mayor, Sheriff, Simon Price and Michael Fabricant; and the Winning Team – John Taylor High School with (left to right) Daniel Ruttley, Daniel Pettingale, Michael Fabricant, Robert Adderley (who also won Best Overall Speaker in the Competition), and Simon Price of Arthur Price of England.