Joe picks up first place in Burns competition
A Cambuslang lad is doing Scotland’s Bard proud after winning honours by reciting his poetry.
Young Joe Blake, who lives in Westburn with dad Greig and mum Sara, was new to the work of Rabbie Burns until his school, St Mungo’s Academy in Glasgow, were looking for students to participate in the Bridgeton Burns Competition in the S1/2 category for solo verse. He choose to recite ‘Address To The Toothache’, which was very well received.
This was the 13-year-old’s first competition and he came second with a hughely impressive performance.
Joe soon discovered he had a natural talent for reciting the Bard, and not only that but thoroughly enjoyed discovering the poetry of Rabbie Burns.
The adjudicator was so impressed with his performance that Joe was invited to speak at the Bridgeton Burns annual dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow on January 24. He was then entered into the Burns Festival at the Trades House of Glasgow on January 21, where he took first place in verse speaking in the S1/6 Category.
In fact, he was even invited to speak at Cambuslang Golf Club then asked for him to attend their annual Burns supper, where he was presented with a years membership for the club.
Joe’s dad Greg said: “He loves the poem, Address to a Toothache, and the way he is able to recite it, due to the pain we all know it causes. He enjoys doing it as well.
“A big thanks to Cambuslang Golf Club for the amazing prize, he’s been up at the driving range practicing already.”