Pupils in York have the chance to display their public speaking skills in a competition organised by the York Civic Trust and supported by City of York Council. The event, which will be held in the Guildhall on 21 November at 6.30pm, is open to young people in Years 7 and 8 from participating schools.

The York 800 public speaking competition celebrates the city’s history, looks ahead to its future and raises awareness of the architectural and civic importance of the ancient city of York. Each school has the chance to nominate a team of two students who will have eight minutes to speak on one of five topics.

The topics are:

• York should concentrate on the future and forget the past
• The past has made York the city it is today
• Favourite view/s of York
• Three buildings in York that must be kept
• The Romans made York what it is today.

There are eight schools participating in the event; Archbishop Holgate’s CE Academy, All Saints RC School, Bootham, Fulford, Joseph Rowntree, Manor CE Academy, St Olave’s and The Mount. The winners, who will perform in front of an audience of parents, members of the Civic Trust and the school communities, will receive £25 worth of vouchers and the Civic Trust’s York 800 award.