Cambuslang's Universal Connections holds Question Time event for kids

Dec 2 2009 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

UNIVERSAL Connections in Cambuslang have given local youngsters the chance to quiz authority figures in the area by staging its very own Question Time event.

The event, which was held on November 17, copied the BBC model of the popular programme by allowing young people from the ages of 12 to 18 to quiz a hand- picked panel including authority members on issues such as health, enterprise, education, local government and the police.

The pupils were given a questionnaire to fill out to gather their views on issues around Rutherglen and Cambuslang.

These questionnaires helped to form the questions that were asked at the event.

Universal Connections area manager Marion Dickie then planned with a group of pupils a core set of questions that would be asked on the night.

The panel for the evening included the chair, Bernard Ponsonby of STV, Larry Forde, director of Education for South Lanarkshire Council, Eddie Johnston, managing director of Merchant City Distributors Ltd, Inspector Iain Wilson of Strathclyde Police, Liz Swan a head nurse with NHS Lanarkshire, Councillor Jackie Burns, spokesperson for youth with South Lanarkshire Council, and Darrell Clark from Cathkin High, who was the council’s young person.

In a further attempt to capture the spirit of the BBC show, Bernard Ponsonby took the microphone round the audience.

Pupils rose to occasion and posed a number of intelligent questions on topics such as the war in Afghanistan, food policies in primary schools and youth unemployment.

Most of the pupils were from Cathkin High and Trinity but some young people from Stonelaw also attended.

Marion Dickie said: “We had about 50 young people and adults there and all were keen to be involved and posed intelligent questions.

“Both Cathkin and Trinity High supported the event and sent pupils and teachers along.

“The feedback we got from the event was positive and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

“The pupils were enthusiastic and enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions.”