30 Jan 2001
Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell today hosted a Burns Recital at the Scotland Office's London headquarters for six winners of the Robert Burns World Federation Schools Competition.
The three national level winners and three schools winners, who attended the recital with their constituency MPs, performed a selection of musical and recitation pieces for Secretary of State Helen Liddell and Minister of State George Foulkes.
Speaking at the recital today, Mrs Liddell said:
"I would like to congratulate all the pupils on their success in what has clearly been a very competitive contest. The high standard of today’s performances pays tribute to the pupils and their schools alike. I am delighted to see Burns' works and Scottish music celebrated in this way, and would like to wish today's performers every success for the future."
The Robert Burns World Federation Schools Competition has been running for over 100 years and is open to school children from throughout the UK. Competition entrants can choose to perform in the poetry recitation, singing or instrumental categories, or in a combination of categories. The 2000 competition received a total of 168,000 entries.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The winners who attended today's recital were as follows:
National winners:
Josh Wright, Cults, Aberdeen
Erin Smith, Aberdeen
Katherine Brooke, Newmacher, Aberdeen
Schools winners:
Eunsley Park, New Malden, Surrey
Ronald Cheape, Edinburgh
Fiona Anderson, Edinburgh
2. Photographs of the recital are available from the Scotland Office press office.
3. Details of the competition are available from Helena Anderson, competition organiser, on tel: 01224 868988 or on mobile: 0403 517900.