Nottinghamshire teenager Eddie Fenwick will deliver an emotive speech about World War One from the Despatch Box at the House of Commons in November.

The 17-year-old, from Sherwood Avenue, in Edwinstowe, has been named as the regional winner of a competition organised by the UK Youth Parliament to speak during a commemoration of World War One, ahead of the Youth Parliament’s annual debate at the House of Commons on November 14.

Eddie and fellow representatives will then debate issues raised as part of the annual Make Your Mark ballot, the largest consultation of young people in the country, in the Commons. The event is also to be screened on BBC Parliament and Speaker of the House the Rt Hon John Bercow MP will chair proceedings.

Eddie produced a powerful video about the story of his great-grandfather Walter Hopcroft who went to war at the age of 16, survived being gassed, and went onto become the clerk of the peace in Edwinstowe, as well as talking about the huge sacrifice made by the Sherwood Foresters during the war.

He said: “I am nervous but very excited to have been selected to share my speech in the House of Commons. I wanted to get across the huge sacrifice that people made during the War, as well as talk about the experiences of my great-grandfather and the fact that he was only a teenager himself when he fought. I am so proud that my entry has won and will talking on behalf of the East Midlands.

“The event will be chaired by the Commons Speaker John Bercow MP and there may well be key politicians in the audience too so it will be very memorable and great to represent Nottinghamshire County Council and the Youth Parliament in Nottinghamshire.”

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are very proud to hear that Eddie Fenwick has been selected to share his family’s story about World War One in the House of Commons – it was a very powerful and poignant film entry. The debate at Parliament also enables our young people to discuss the issues that affect them so it is a major event for the UK Youth Parliament and our local representatives taking part.”

Eddie worked with Nottinghamshire County Council youth worker Aimee Sharp at Bilsthorpe Young People’s Centre to produce his video entry which also included visits to Sherwood Forest, the Robin Hood statue in Edwinstowe and other locations in the county.

Thirteen regional winners from the Youth Parliament will have the opportunity to give their commemorative speech ahead of the Make Your Mark debate which will highlight the top issues which concern young people today.

In the Make Your Mark ballot which started in August and runs until October 10, young people across the country are being asked what issues matter most to them, in order to determine what is debated by the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP). Voting takes places both online and through ballot papers issues in schools and youth centres. All young people aged 11-18 in the UK can vote online here:- https://www.mi-voice.com/mym/

Watch Eddie’s winning video entry on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/b_mVgqNyDsA

Eddie is a member of the UK Youth Parliament for Newark and Sherwood, and recruiting has begun for people to stand in next year’s elections for Nottinghamshire Youth Parliament. For more details contact Aimee Sharpe via email at: [email protected]