Finalists: Wyndham , Alex M, Andrew S, Alastair, Tristán, Chris S, Tosca, Robert, Wulstan

Judged diligently and sensitively by Harriett Baldwin, Conservative candidate for West Worcestershire, the Senior Speech Final was a highly informative and entertaining evening.

Wyndham began proceedings with a scholarly speech about Winston Churchill’s moment of military epiphany in the Dardanelles. With clever use of rhetorical questions and a colourful map at his side, Wyndham weighed up every military option in turn and looked every inch a Whitehall-man throughout.

Alex then bounded on stage looking for his brother. Speaking boyishly in the first person, Alex transported us back to the moment all wartime evacuees will remember most vividly – departure by train for the country. In ‘Here Comes the Train’ he described with great creativity the sense of a national war effort, of the importance of everyone’s contribution.

Andrew continued the wartime theme with a brave speech called ‘The Plane in the Bog’. Based on his search for the site of a wartime plane crash on his family’s land in a remote corner of south-west Scotland, there was an air of John Buchan about Andrew’s tale, with mysterious maps and game-keepers with dogs all tipped into the mix.

Alastair then took us on a journey even further back in time, to a world of jungle drums and smoke signals. His exploration of how communication has evolved over the centuries was achieved by a confident inquisition of his audience’s feeble letter-writing habits and also included some brilliantly evocative drumming of his own.

Tristán then spoke with infectious enthusiasm about his home football team, Real Madrid, recalling with a broad smile his happiest sporting celebration in the fountains of Madrid at midnight after yet another European championship win by ‘los Galácticos’. Ole! Ole!

Chris was mischievously well-informed about ‘Beer’ and shared his wisdom on the subject generously, prompting a sea of hands to rise at question-time. He also showed himself worryingly well-practised at handling awkward questions, such as ‘what is the strongest alcohol you have ever drunk?’, replying ‘I’ll tell you when my parents have gone’.

Tosca then pulled us sharply back onto the straight and narrow with a lively and probing speech about women in politics. Would a world run by women not be a more peaceful world, she asked? It was hard not to agree, particularly as Tosca spoke so brightly and persuasively and, what is more, without the help of any notes.

Robert then investigated the legacy of Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the fuel compression diesel engine and a man many decades ahead of his time in terms of his ‘green’ credentials. Robert was particularly impressive in his handling of the audience’s questions, giving thoughtful and very detailed answers.

Finally Wulstan gave a highly entertaining yet thoroughly authoritative speech on the ‘History of Pantomime’ on the British stage. Littered liberally with bad jokes and supported by elaborate stunts and props, Wulstan’s speech was a tour de force, imprinting itself on the memories of all who witnessed it.

After careful thought and eloquently delivered feedback, Mrs Baldwin awarded the prize to the very impressive Tosca. Well done to all who took part.