Little Marie’s Maiden Speech at Council Meeting

April 1937

Sheffield Independent April 15, 1937

Little Marie’s Maiden Speech at Council Meeting

A maiden speech was made at Conisborough Urban District Council meeting last night by a 13-year-old girl.

She was Marie Wilkinson of 70 Clifton St, Denaby and she was one of 20 scholars from St Albans School was attended the council’s monthly meeting.

Their presence was the outcome of a request to the authority by the headmaster, Mr J Bradley, and he, along with another members of the staff, Mrs Clancy, accompanied the children.

The Council chamber was specially arranged to accommodate them.

A wealth was extended by the chairman, Mr G Oldfield, and the vice chairman, Mr RJ Troughton, explain to the children the duties of the various people in the room.

Then came Marie’s turn. She was chosen to reply, and in an exemplary little speech, concise and well phrased, Marie thanked the Council for the welcome and for the privilege of attending the meeting.

Boys’ Speeches, Too

“We have interesting debates in our school, we shall have a greater interest in them when we have heard all you have to say,” she concluded.

At the conclusion of the meeting further expression of thanks on behalf of the children were made by two boys, John Kane and Maurice Carmody, and Mr J Bradley also thanked the members for enabling them to carry out the experiment.

The Council confirming support for the proposal to provide additional buses on the service between Conanby and Doncaster.