Opening a Cogers' Debate

Since debates are held on licensed premises, food and drink can be purchased at the bar and brought into the debating chamber - "Cogers' Hall". The proceedings begin when the person appointed to moderate the debate sets the emblem of the society - the "Apple of Discord" - upon the (upturned) "Cup of Human Contentment". By custom this person is known as "the Grand" and addressed as "My Grand". Set up beside the Grand is a lectern called "the Box". All speeches are delivered from "the Box" and addressed to the Grand rather than to the meeting as a whole. The first person so called is "the Opener" - a member who has been given the task of recapitulating the most important stories from the news that have taken place since the previous meeting. The Opener presents a 10 to 14 minute address recapitulating the important events that have been reported since the previous meeting and suggests various lines of discussion. Within the general theme of "Current Events", the Opener may introduce any material of his or her own choosing but, by tradition, is expected to make s "Loyal Reference" - a comment upon activities of the Queen or another member of the British Royal Family. This custom was adopted as a precaution at the time of the American and French revolutions when it was common for spies from the Home Office to infiltrate meetings an report on the possible use of seditious language. Today, the occasion is used, not infrequently, to express republican opinions. Custom gives the Opener the opportunity to present their views without interruption and, under normal circumstances, do not take any further part in the debate. A good Opening will introduce a wide variety of different items and stimulate other people into ideas and discussion.