What sort of society are you, and may I just come along ?

 

 

We are one of the oldest societies in the Royal Borough of Kingston on Thames, Surrey, UK, with a continuous history going back to 1886.

 

 

The structure of debates has remained largely unchanged since then, ensuring that all speakers receive a fair hearing, and that the proceedings resemble neither a seminar nor a shouting match.

 

 

We have a diverse membership, both male and female, young and old. Debates are formal in nature, although frequently lively in content, especially on the more humorous subjects.

 

 

 

We welcome visitors most warmly to our debates. If you would like just to listen and watch before getting on your feet, please do so; many visitors choose to get the feel of our meetings for two or three weeks. However, while considering whether you would like to become a member, you are free to take part as a speaker.

 

 

 

We hold debates on Thursdays during the winter months of the year, in the Methodist Church Hall, Avenue Road, off Fairfield South, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2UJ.The evening begins at 7.45pm with the private business of the Society, in which the members hear the minutes of the last meeting and statements about forthcoming events. After a short break, the debate commences at 8pm.

 

 

 

Opening speeches are made by the proposer and opposer of the motion, and these last for up to twenty minutes each.The motion is then thrown open to the floor. Members and visitors may speak only once, for up to ten minutes each. Two votes are taken on the motion: one for members only, the other for everyone present.

 

 

 

Visitors are welcome to attend for their first two visits free of charge. On their third and subsequent visits we ask for a donation of £ 2 per visit towards the cost of the room hire. 

 

 

Spring 2012 programme :

 

 

 

19 January   That Britain has a tenuous grip on democracy

 

 

26 January  That TV cooks do more harm than good

 

 

2 February  That Dickens is our greatest novelist

 

 

9 February  That philosophy is pointless

 

 

16 February  That the police have lost our confidence

 

 

23 February  That it is time we stopped blaming the bankers

 

 

1 March  That women get an easier life than men in Britain nowadays

 

 

8 March  That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government