“With the sad death of Senator Edward Kennedy, we must renew our commitment to the values and principles he fought to promote throughout his life.

“In 1961, President Kennedy explained that the torch had been passed to a new generation of Americans. For forty-seven years Senator Kennedy kept that torch alight for his own generation.

“Today, a new generation – our own generation – is charged with facing the fresh challenges and opportunities of this century. If we are to succeed, we must look to the example of bravery, determination and heroism that Kennedy and his brothers gave when they faced the challenges of their time.

“As we remember and give thanks for Senator Kennedy’s life and work, we must also pledge to keep the torch alight for future generations.”

Mrs Kent addressed an intimate group of members, at a regular ‘Thinking & Drinking’ session in Vanbrugh college. She argued that music is a fundamental aspect of schooling which is often overlooked and ill taught. Katharine explained that, in her experience, the children who were taught music always did markedly better in their SATs. She explained how music can be used to further the children’s ability levels in core curriculum subjects, giving the example of using musical notes to teach maths.

For the past thirteen years Katharine, who is also HRH The Duchess of Kent, has been teaching music at Wansbeck Primary School in Hull. Her passion for Hull and the school where she has worked was clearly visible and her love of music was obvious.

Members described the event as a stimulating talk, and many were taken with the idea of using music to give young people confidence, and  to overcome current challenges in the education system concerning poor behavior and underachievement.

NGS York has been ranked highly in the University of York’s ‘Power List 2009’. The list, compiled by York Vision, includes individuals and organisations which have made a considerable impact on campus life in the past academic year.

The list described NGS York as ‘campus’s most active political group’, and placed them well above other political societies. Tim Bidey, chairman of NGS York, said that he was delighted with the ranking. “The whole thing is just a bit of fun, but it is nice to know that we’ve continued to maintain an excellent profile on campus, and that what we do is important to people.”

Earlier this term, NGS York hosted the 2009 Kennedy Lecture. NGS President James Townsend said that the York branch thoroughly deserved the recognition from York Vision. “The gang at York have done some fantastic things this year. They are at the top of their game, hosting talks party leaders one moment and  the next going into schools to work with sixth-form students.”

He voiced his concern about the democratic deficit and the lack of accountability in the EU. He argued that the EU is too intrinsically faulted to be reformed and that therefore that the only sensible option for Britain is to leave it. Ultimately he proposed that within EFTA we could obtain all the benefits of free trade with Europe with none of the costs and compromises.

Members of the NGS as well as Dr Nicole Lindstrom, University of York European Studies Lecturer, posed insightful questions and a very diverse and interesting debate ensued. Godfrey’s candidness was noted and appreciated, particularly in light of the recent expenses scandal. He very honestly answered the question as to whether he had ever ‘signed in and sodded off’ and explained that he donates his MEP allowances to a number of local charities.

In his introduction, the Society’s National President, James Townsend, described Lord Puttnam as ‘not a politician, but a man in politics.’

Speaking at the climax of the scandal surrounding MPs’ expenses, Lord Puttnam directed his talk at the need for a strong political system. In particular, he highlighted the pressing concern of climate change, but also addressed the wider problems of education and global human sustainability. The full text of Lord Puttnam’s lecture can be found here.

Later, Lord Puttnam took questions on a range of issues.

After the lecture, members and officers of the Society adjournerd to the Deramore Arms for the inaugural Kennedy Barbecue.

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YSTV covered the event:

Mr Clegg also spoke to the University of York newspaper, Nouse.