There’s no denying that Guinness tastes better in Ireland. One of the delights of our regular visits to Denman International in Bangor, Northern Ireland is an obligatory pint or two of Guinness in a dark, cosy bar. It’s so much smoother and creamier than it is at home. But why? The reasons are shrouded in myth and legend. Here’s a selection:

1. It’s the water. Only Guinness brewed in Ireland uses soft, clean Irish water.

2. It’s the pipes. Guinness inspected pubs clean their pipes more regularly.

3. It’s the ‘craic’ or crack. The legendary Irish atmosphere creates a taste illusion.

4. Guinness doesn’t travel. The best pint is therefore in the Guinness brewery.

5. It’s the way they pour it. You have to take it really slowly, with a long rest for it to settle.

Who knows the answer? I’m sure Guinness would like us to believe it’s the same the world over. I say get over to Ireland and sample as much as you can. Just to be sure.

Milestone has had a long relationship with the Institute of Ideas who have been  pioneering a fresh and engaging format for debate that is injecting new life into schools debating. Working in collaboration with teachers and schools, the Institute of Ideas and Pfizer Debating Matters Competition challenges and encourages young people to actively engage with contemporary debates, to research issues thoroughly, to learn to communicate effectively and to argue for what they think.

Earlier this  year I was asked to sit on the judging panel for the regional finals at Bristol University. It was an amazing experience and encouraging to see such well argued debates on varying hot topics by the next generation of free thinkers. In November the qualifying rounds began and I was asked to judge at the Berkshire qualifying rounds at The Piggott School in Wargrave. St Bartolomews School, The Piggott School, The Holt School and Windsor Girls School fought it out over three grueling rounds. The topics included ‘Pop artists should be judged on their work, not their life style, Closed circuit TV is a threat to our freedom and It is irresponsible foe women over 5o to have babies’.

The role of the judging panel is to sit and listen to the debates before cross examining the teams. It is important the teams have researched their topics and are able to support their arguments. In the end it was The Piggott School who went through, but it was a close thing.

Daler Rowney’s National Students’ Exhibition
www.mymcompetion.com

Back in 2007 Milestone won a pitch to help Daler-Rowney re-engage with their external and internal audiences. Part of our recommendation included an international art competition called ‘Make Your Mark’. The competition was split into four categories, Under 12’s, under 16’s, Further Education and Leisure Painter. Milestone created a Make Your Mark competition website which allowed participants the opportunity of uploading their entry to an online gallery. Entries were received from more than 1400 artists from all over the world including the Philippines, South Africa, Argentina, USA, Turkey and Belgium. The Chairman of the Judges was the internationally acclaimed artist Romeo di Girolamo, President of the Royal Society British Artists, The other three judges were Annie Kevans, Artist, Patrick Girard CEO of Daler-Rowney and Stephen Doherty, Editor in Chief of American Artist.

Daler Rowney’s National Students’ Exhibition
The Winners

The winners of each category and runners up are being exhibited at the Mall Galleries as part of the National Children’s Exhibition. The exhibition included the work of professional artist including Sir Peter Blake. The private viewing took place on the 6^th July where Patrick Girard presented prizes to the Make Your Mark winners in front of an international audience.

Visit www.mymcompetion.com to view the winning paintings.