WOULD-BE MPs for Warrington South were quizzed by youngsters from across the borough as part of a youth leadership scheme.
David Mowat, Conservative party prospective parliamentary candidate and Nick Bent, the Labour party prospective parliamentary candidate were guests at HOBY UK, a youth leadership development programme, run by Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School in Latchford.
The ‘Question Time’ style debate was held as part of the fourth annual HOBY UK seminar at Chester University.
The panel, which also included vice chancellor of the University, Tim Wheeler, and Keith Morris, editor for Guardian Group Newspapers, answered questions from young people on topics from ‘size zero’ to knife crime.
HOBY UK is an organisation that promotes youth leadership development, which aims to give young people the skills and confidence they need to be the leaders of tomorrow.
John Sharples, headteacher at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School is Director of HOBY UK and the scheme is affiliated with HOBY USA.
Fifteen staff, adults and young people, volunteered their time to organise the event, which hosted 40 delegates from schools in Warrington and Liverpool, young people from the Foróige organisation in the Republic of Ireland and a delegate from Scotland.
Youngsters took part in a series of events, including the ‘Question Time’ panel, outdoor activities with motivational speakers, group work sessions with leaders from industry and education, a disco and the ‘HOBYs Got Talent’ show.
Parents were then invited to a presentation at the end of the event which highlighted their children’s key achievements during the course. The next HOBY UK event will take place in Easter 2011,and is open to current year nine pupils.
Faye Duckers, one of the 2010 delegates said: “It opened my eyes to many new things about myself, it made me think about my approach to people and how I can use that and apply it to leadership in the future. It definitely made me think about things I’d never thought about before.”
Politicians quizzed by students
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
