“It was a clean sweep for Nether Stowe School last night (11^th March) in Lichfield when it won best team and Brandon Clark, also from Nether Stowe, won overall best speaker in the Michael Fabricant-Arthur Price of England Schools Speaking Competition” says Michael Fabricant.  “And my congratulations go to Brandon and his fellow team members: Michael Cunningham and Joseph Garfield.

Simon Price, Joseph Garfield, Michael Cunningham, Brandon Clark, and Michael Fabricant

“The competition held in the City’s Guildhall had all the pomp of the House of Commons with sword and mace bearers, but without all the ya-booing.”

Four schools participated: The Lichfield Cathedral School, Friary School, King Edward VI, and Nether Stowe.

“The standard of all four schools was incredibly high and the judges had a real problem making a final decision” Michael adds.  The judges were Simon Price of Arthur Price of England, the Mayor and Sheriff of Lichfield (Cllr Robert Yardley and Peter Hitchman), and Keith Eagland representing Lichfield Rotary St Chad who provided and operated the timing equipment.

Engraved cups will be kept by the winners and the School keeps engraved cups for a year.

Lichfield Cathedral School, Friary School, King Edwards VI, and Nether Stowe.
Front row: Simon Price, Keith Eagland, Mayor, Sheriff, and Michael Fabricant

“This was the first competition in three years due to illness and Covid – I am delighted that this Lichfield tradition has recommenced” Michael says.  “It provides valuable speaking experience for all the competitors and will help them with their university entrance and job interviews.

“The debate was on whether the positives outweigh the negatives in social media.  Nether Stowe argued that the negatives outweigh the positives.  The audience was split 50:50 when we put it to the vote.”