Club’s 117th season

The Scarborough Forty Club’s new president, Michael King, opened the 117th season of the debating society. In his talk, entitled ‘Does it really matter?’ Mr King said that Britain is a great country and Scarborough is a fantastic place to live. It is a great privilege to live here.

Britain once had the largest empire supported by the largest navy in the world. But gradually, due to the cost of wars and unable to support an empire, we had to hand back sovereignty to the majority of the countries that were our empire.

We are now part of the Commonwealth, Nato, the UN and the G7. We are known for our integrity and tolerance but we have sold off many of our utility companies into foreign ownership. He asked us if some of our previous governments had made mistakes and errors of judgement?

Michael finished his talk by saying that in the end does it really matter? One member said that none of it really matters as eventually the world will be swallowed by the sun or wiped out by an asteroid or volcano. Another said that the future is now in cyberspace and we may be ruled by China. Others felt that Britain had exploited other parts of the world through slavery and trade but was now on the wane.

Mr King replied to member’s comments concluding that the past probably does not matter too much but the present certainly does. Mr Lawson gave the vote of thanks for a high standard educational talk that launched the new season of a club that is a precious jewel to be savoured, protected and polished.

For more information contact the club secretary on 01723 354813.