THERE were five teams forward for the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Club's East Regional senior speechmaking competition, one of the strongest entries for a number of years.

Judges Robin and Anna Traquair were full of praise for the participants, saying that the standard of skills on show was incredible this year. There wasn't much between the entries, but winning with 106 points was Bankfoot JAC's 'A' team of Anna Sloan, Romy Jackson, Euan Penny and Catherine Sloan, who discussed the topic of the future for farmers who do not embrace technology.

Having debated whether all farmers should be made to plant a woodland, Forfar JAC's Matthew Steel, Daniel Fleming, Juaad Al Safari and Beth Dandie, secured second place with 97 points.

Picking up 95 points and third place were East Fife JAC's Andrew Mason, Nicky Wilson, Sarah Dawson and Lianne Brunton, who kicked off the afternoon discussing whether the Royal family receive excessive air time.

Best speakers outwith the winning team included Forfar JAC's Matthew Steel and Daniel Fleming as chairman and proposer, East Fife JAC's Sarah Dawson as best opposer, and Bankfoot JAC's David Comrie from the B team as best arbiter. Best overall speaker was Bankfoot's Romy Jackson.

The top three teams, as well as Bankfoot's B team, recently represented the region at the National speechmaking final in Ayr (see page ***).