On Wednesday 24th November Hereford Sixth Form College students from Politics, Law and Philosophy & Ethics departments attended the annual Shrieval lecture at Hereford Town Hall. This annual event is a talk from carefully chosen individuals with outstanding records of public service who are experts in their field. The invite to our students was extended by the current High Sheriff of Herefordshire, Helen Bowden and organiser HH Daniel Pearce-Higgins KC who generously organised reduced-price tickets for them.
The High Sheriff’s Fund in Hereford supports community projects that aim to improve law and order and community cohesion, with a current focus on improving life chances. It provides grants to local voluntary and community groups for projects involving youth crime prevention, support for vulnerable people, and skills training.
This year the speaker was none other than former Supreme Court judge; Lord Sumption who delivered a lecture called “Where should free speech end?” Lord Sumption spoke with clarity and eloquence to a captivated audience about what he believes is a balanced view.
At the end it was active members of the Debate Society who responded to calls for questions, with multiple asked in succession. Politics teacher Marco Martinelli says “I was proud to see our students so engaged, knowledgeable and articulate.”
Both the High Sheriff and Judge Higgins-Pearce expressed their pleasure of seeing young people participate in the event. Our students left enthused and delighted. It was an exceptional evening, and we look forward to attending the event next year!
Article by Marco Martinelli
