Ampleforth College

Debating Societies

Miss Pearson convenes a Junior and Remove Debating Society on Tuesdays in the late afternoon. The Senior Debating Society meets regularly on Monday nights throughout the year, and welcomes any interested Sixth Former who wishes to speak, listen, or to speak from the floor on motions such as

• This House Believes That Blackberries Lead To Barbarism
• This House Believes That It Is Outrageous That A Tank Should Be Parked Outside The Abbey
• This House Believes That The Government Cuts Are Necessary
• This House Believes That Its Motions Up To Now Have Been Far Too Serious

The Chairman, who presides over debates, is Jess Barrow (A), and the Secretary is Alex Dormer (O). He takes the official minute which is read out at the start of the following meeting. Chairmen in the past two years have been John Brazier (EW) and David Milligan (T); Vincent O’Rourke (D) and William Irven (C), respectively, have been Secretary. Terms of office for Chairman and Secretary now run from Christmas to Christmas, and motions and speakers are devised and organised by  the Chairman and Secretary together with Mr Powney. Although the Senior Debating Society is run by students, members of staff do attend from time to time, and in recent debates, Mr Lovat, Mr Browne, and Mr Carter, have all accepted invitations to speak. Members of the Remove may attend by invitation.

Mr Powney and Miss Pearson also organise a Senior House Debating Competition in the Lent term, news of which this year will be published as it emerges.