Ayrshire pupils among funniest in Scotland at national joke telling competition
Ayrshire's school pupils proved to be the funniest in Scotland after Saffron Barrett, Freya McVie Branley and Craig Speirs competed in the VoiceBox competition.
Three Ayrshire pupils were among the funniest in Scotland at a national joke telling competition with two of them winning prizes.
Saffron Barrett of Glenburn Primary in Prestwick, Freya McVie Branley of St Winning's Primary in Kilwinning and Craig Speirs of Shortlees Primary in Kilmarnock represented the county at the the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition.
P1 Saffron, P7 Freya and P5 Craig travelled to Edinburgh for the competition which was held at the Scottish Parliament on June 5.
With jokes that had the judges in stitches, Freya was named as runner-up, Craig in third place and Saffron unlucky to miss out on the top three.
Freya takes home a £75 toy gift card, as well as £200 worth of books for her school while Craig bagged a £50 toy gift card, as well as £200 worth of books for his school, courtesy of competition sponsors, Collins Big Cat.
As a finalist, Saffron also won £100 worth of books for her school.
Ezra Pasifull, Primary Three, from Oakbank Primary School in Perth and Kinross, was crowned as the winner of the VoiceBox competition.
The final featured 32 pupils from across Scotland, with a regional winner representing each local authority.
Every finalist performed their joke live before an audience of MSPs, families, and supporters.
The final followed a nationwide call for entries that saw thousands of jokes submitted by pupils from hundreds of primary schools.
VoiceBox was created by the RCSLT to spotlight the importance of early speech, language and communication development and the power of speech and language therapy.
While rooted in fun, the competition's purpose is to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in a child's confidence, learning and life outcomes.
Glenn Carter, head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Speech, language and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities.
'VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves.'
The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua.
Commenting, Ms Johnstone said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament.
'Following a strong nationwide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. The effort, imagination and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive.
'I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Rod Stewart joined by trio of veteran superstars for rousing Glastonbury set
The tea-time legends slot on Sunday saw him perform alongside his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Scottish singer Lulu. He was also joined by the festival's founder, Sir Michael Eavis, who was wheeled on to the stage by his daughter, organiser Emily Eavis. Rod Stewart performing on the Pyramid Stage (Yui Mok/PA) Hucknall, 65, was welcomed on stage for a rendition of Simply Red hit If You Don't Know Me By Now. Rolling back the years, Sir Rod then performed the Faces' 1971 hit Stay With Me while Rolling Stones star Wood, 78, played guitar. Lulu then made her entrance, wearing an all-white ensemble, to sing Hot Legs alongside Sir Rod and Wood. Bagpipes had signalled the arrival of Sir Rod, who kicked off his afternoon performance with his 1981 single, Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me). Crowds at Worthy Farm in Somerset (Ben Birchall/PA) 'I'm here, enjoy yourselves ladies and gentleman please, music brings us together, we need music,' he told the crowd. The 80-year-old, who recently cancelled a series of shows while recovering from flu, wore flared trousers, a white shirt and a black jacket, before changing into a green suit. He played songs including Some Guys Have All The Luck, Forever Young, The First Cut Is The Deepest, and Maggie May, which he performed from a runway jutting out into the crowd. Ukrainian flags were shown on a screen behind Sir Rod, who said: 'There's been a lot about the Middle East recently, quite rightly so, but I want to draw your attention to Ukraine in the next song, it's called the Love Train.' The singer also sang I'd Rather Go Blind, which he first performed in the 1970s with the Faces, which he said he had learned from late Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie, who the song was dedicated to. Men dressed as Rod Stewart wait for his performance at Glastonbury (Yui Mok/PA) During Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? Sir Rod's backing singers kicked footballs into the crowd in reference to the singer's famous Top Of The Pops appearance in 1971. Sir Rod donned a captain's hat to finish with Sailing, while his dancers wore the shirt of Celtic FC, while the back of his own shirt featured the team's name. Earlier on Sunday, organisers said chants by punk duo Bob Vylan 'crossed a line' after frontman Bobby Vylan led crowds at the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)'. A joint Instagram post from Glastonbury and Emily Eavis said: 'As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism.' It added: 'We are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. 'Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the chants were 'appalling' and the BBC and the festival had 'questions to answer'. A BBC spokesperson added: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive. 'During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's Saturday performance, a Government spokesperson said. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence from Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances would be assessed by officers 'to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation'. Kneecap, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. The group performed after Vylan's set on the West Holts Stage, and in reference to his bandmate's forthcoming court date, Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, said they would 'start a riot outside the courts', before clarifying: 'No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine.' Irish noise rockers Gurriers asked if anyone had seen Kneecap's set during their Sunday performance, adding: 'Well it's the Irish takeover at Glastonbury this year, I think.' British soul singer Celeste opened the Pyramid Stage on Sunday before rock outfit The Libertines took to the stage. The Libertines performing on the Pyramid Stage during the Glastonbury Festival (Yui Mok/PA) At one point in their set frontman Pete Doherty broke into Sir Rod's Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? Other notable performances came from British funk group Cymande, US singer Shaboozey and Australian duo Royel Otis. Over at the Pilton Palais cinema, actress Jodie Comer answered questions about her career and said she felt 'really excited' to embark on a UK and Ireland tour of Prima Facie – the play that saw her win a best actress Olivier.
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Rod Stewart joined by trio of veteran superstars for rousing Glastonbury set
Sir Rod Stewart has been joined by a trio of veteran superstars during a rousing performance at Glastonbury Festival. The tea-time legends slot on Sunday saw him perform alongside his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Scottish singer Lulu. He was also joined by the festival's founder, Sir Michael Eavis, who was wheeled on to the stage by his daughter, organiser Emily Eavis. Hucknall, 65, was welcomed on stage for a rendition of Simply Red hit If You Don't Know Me By Now. Rolling back the years, Sir Rod then performed the Faces' 1971 hit Stay With Me while Rolling Stones star Wood, 78, played guitar. Lulu then made her entrance, wearing an all-white ensemble, to sing Hot Legs alongside Sir Rod and Wood. Bagpipes had signalled the arrival of Sir Rod, who kicked off his afternoon performance with his 1981 single, Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me). 'I'm here, enjoy yourselves ladies and gentleman please, music brings us together, we need music,' he told the crowd. The 80-year-old, who recently cancelled a series of shows while recovering from flu, wore flared trousers, a white shirt and a black jacket, before changing into a green suit. He played songs including Some Guys Have All The Luck, Forever Young, The First Cut Is The Deepest, and Maggie May, which he performed from a runway jutting out into the crowd. Ukrainian flags were shown on a screen behind Sir Rod, who said: 'There's been a lot about the Middle East recently, quite rightly so, but I want to draw your attention to Ukraine in the next song, it's called the Love Train.' The singer also sang I'd Rather Go Blind, which he first performed in the 1970s with the Faces, which he said he had learned from late Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie, who the song was dedicated to. During Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? Sir Rod's backing singers kicked footballs into the crowd in reference to the singer's famous Top Of The Pops appearance in 1971. Sir Rod donned a captain's hat to finish with Sailing, while his dancers wore the shirt of Celtic FC, while the back of his own shirt featured the team's name. Earlier on Sunday, organisers said chants by punk duo Bob Vylan 'crossed a line' after frontman Bobby Vylan led crowds at the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)'. A joint Instagram post from Glastonbury and Emily Eavis said: 'As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism.' It added: 'We are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. 'Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the chants were 'appalling' and the BBC and the festival had 'questions to answer'. A BBC spokesperson added: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive. 'During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's Saturday performance, a Government spokesperson said. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence from Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances would be assessed by officers 'to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation'. Kneecap, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. The group performed after Vylan's set on the West Holts Stage, and in reference to his bandmate's forthcoming court date, Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, said they would 'start a riot outside the courts', before clarifying: 'No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine.' Irish noise rockers Gurriers asked if anyone had seen Kneecap's set during their Sunday performance, adding: 'Well it's the Irish takeover at Glastonbury this year, I think.' British soul singer Celeste opened the Pyramid Stage on Sunday before rock outfit The Libertines took to the stage. At one point in their set frontman Pete Doherty broke into Sir Rod's Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? Other notable performances came from British funk group Cymande, US singer Shaboozey and Australian duo Royel Otis.
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Rod Stewart joined by trio of veteran superstars for rousing Glastonbury set
The tea-time legends slot on Sunday saw him perform alongside his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Scottish singer Lulu. He was also joined by the festival's founder, Sir Michael Eavis, who was wheeled on to the stage by his daughter, organiser Emily Eavis. Rod Stewart performing on the Pyramid Stage (Yui Mok/PA) Hucknall, 65, was welcomed on stage for a rendition of Simply Red hit If You Don't Know Me By Now. Rolling back the years, Sir Rod then performed the Faces' 1971 hit Stay With Me while Rolling Stones star Wood, 78, played guitar. Lulu then made her entrance, wearing an all-white ensemble, to sing Hot Legs alongside Sir Rod and Wood. Bagpipes had signalled the arrival of Sir Rod, who kicked off his afternoon performance with his 1981 single, Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me). Crowds at Worthy Farm in Somerset (Ben Birchall/PA) 'I'm here, enjoy yourselves ladies and gentleman please, music brings us together, we need music,' he told the crowd. The 80-year-old, who recently cancelled a series of shows while recovering from flu, wore flared trousers, a white shirt and a black jacket, before changing into a green suit. He played songs including Some Guys Have All The Luck, Forever Young, The First Cut Is The Deepest, and Maggie May, which he performed from a runway jutting out into the crowd. Ukrainian flags were shown on a screen behind Sir Rod, who said: 'There's been a lot about the Middle East recently, quite rightly so, but I want to draw your attention to Ukraine in the next song, it's called the Love Train.' The singer also sang I'd Rather Go Blind, which he first performed in the 1970s with the Faces, which he said he had learned from late Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie, who the song was dedicated to. Men dressed as Rod Stewart wait for his performance at Glastonbury (Yui Mok/PA) During Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? Sir Rod's backing singers kicked footballs into the crowd in reference to the singer's famous Top Of The Pops appearance in 1971. Sir Rod donned a captain's hat to finish with Sailing, while his dancers wore the shirt of Celtic FC, while the back of his own shirt featured the team's name. Earlier on Sunday, organisers said chants by punk duo Bob Vylan 'crossed a line' after frontman Bobby Vylan led crowds at the festival's West Holts Stage in chants of 'Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)'. A joint Instagram post from Glastonbury and Emily Eavis said: 'As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism.' It added: 'We are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. 'Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.' Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the chants were 'appalling' and the BBC and the festival had 'questions to answer'. A BBC spokesperson added: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive. 'During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's Saturday performance, a Government spokesperson said. Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence from Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances would be assessed by officers 'to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation'. Kneecap, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. The group performed after Vylan's set on the West Holts Stage, and in reference to his bandmate's forthcoming court date, Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, said they would 'start a riot outside the courts', before clarifying: 'No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine.' Irish noise rockers Gurriers asked if anyone had seen Kneecap's set during their Sunday performance, adding: 'Well it's the Irish takeover at Glastonbury this year, I think.' British soul singer Celeste opened the Pyramid Stage on Sunday before rock outfit The Libertines took to the stage. The Libertines performing on the Pyramid Stage during the Glastonbury Festival (Yui Mok/PA) At one point in their set frontman Pete Doherty broke into Sir Rod's Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? Other notable performances came from British funk group Cymande, US singer Shaboozey and Australian duo Royel Otis. Over at the Pilton Palais cinema, actress Jodie Comer answered questions about her career and said she felt 'really excited' to embark on a UK and Ireland tour of Prima Facie – the play that saw her win a best actress Olivier.
