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Passion for poetry sees Shaftesbury School student land spot in national final

A PASSION for poetry recital has seen a Shaftesbury School student land a date at the historic Globe theatre.

Sixth former Ethan Speed has been selected as a national finalist in this year’s Poetry by Heart competition.

Having made it through both the school and county rounds of the competition, he performed A Forsaken Garden, by Swinburne, and The Beast in the Space, by WS Graham, at the recent south west regional final – coming away as the winner in his age group.

There were more than 2,000 entries for the competition, with Ethan among just 10 sixth form finalists from across the UK.

He will now perform at The Globe and Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in London as part of the national finals, on Monday, June 26.

But he was not the only one to land a spot at the prestigious event.

Teacher Carl Davies, who has coached students from the school for the competition, has himself been selected as a national finalist in the Poetry by Heart staff competition for his performance of Cousin Coat, by Sean O’Brien.

Headteacher of Shaftesbury School, Donna London-Hill, said: “I cannot express enough how impressed I am with Ethan Speed’s performance and the performance of Mr Davies.

“They have demonstrated dedication, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the art of poetry.

“We are incredibly proud of all the students who entered, and we look forward to seeing how both Ethan and Carl do at the national finals.”

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I am the editor in chief of Blackmore Vale media, which includes the New Blackmore Vale, New Stour & Avon, Salisbury & Avon Gazette and the Purbeck Gazette, having been a reporter for some 20 years. In my spare time, I am a festival lover, with a particular focus on Glastonbury. I live in Somerset with my wife and two children.