If there's one thing that really rubs me up the wrong way, it's scare stories about the "youth of today". Since the dawn of time, people have moaned that the young are "less respectful" and "less disciplined" than "when I was little". But of course they're not. We just have rose-tinted memories. We remember the couple of harsh punishments - but forget all those times we were naughty or cheeky and got away with it. Come on, admit it.

Well, this week I've had two wonderful experiences that proved that young people today are doing just fine.
First, Rosendale School - a state primary in Herne Hill.
I was asked by my friend Debbie to speak at assembly on "starting your own business". I was apprehensive - speaking to 350 5-11 year olds for 20 minutes - at best they'll be bored and restless, and at worst they'll laugh me out of there for my posh accent and preppy clothes.
But this is an inspiring school. The classrooms were festooned with children's creations. The children were polite, friendly and inquisitive. And the deputy-head, Kate Atkins, is a marvel. (there's a "super-head" who runs a handful of schools, so Kate acts as head most days I think). Kate has the most amazing energy and warmth about her. You immediately sense that she genuinely respects the children in the school: she listens to their opinions, she cares deeply about each of them. And they, of course, respect her.

My little talk was a joy. The 350 children sat cross-legged, immaculately behaved, throughout. They answered questions intelligently. Their ideas were imaginative. They were eager to learn.
Sure, this is an Ofsted-rated "outstanding" school, in a reasonably affluent borough. But Rosendale knocked the socks off my (private) primary school. Let's hope some of them do start their own businesses - there are future stars in the making here.

My second "inspiring youth" moment was yesterday's "Choir of the Year" final, at the Festival Hall.
Now I'm a choir nut - a choirboy from 7, I recently helped set up a young London choir that's going great guns (plug plug). But it seems I'm not alone - choirs are really flourishing right now. And here we had seven of Britain's finest, old and young, out to impress musical luminaries like Howard Goodall.

Wow these choirs were good. There was "Masquerade", with children as young as 7, every one of them bang in time and on-key. We had Scunthorpe Co-operative junior choir, mostly young teens, following every nuance of Susan, their conductor. And my personal favourite, Voice Squad, doing the most thrilling, technically eye-popping "samba". I just didn't know choirs could do all that.
These weren't posh kids from the home-counties. Just keen young people from Kettering, Scunthorpe and Suffolk, getting together and doing something they love - and doing it to an exceptional standard. You could feel the passion emanating from all of them.

So the future's not so bleak. As Howard said, young people today are amazing. We should be proud of them. Britain's got talent - just wait and see.

P.S., Speaking of talent, the Choir of the year presenter was Josie d'Arby - and we LOVE her. Please tell Mr. BBC controller, it's time to ditch Ross - here's to "Tonight with Josie";-)