Susan made me proud of my Blackburn roots

May 28 2009 West Lothian Courier

JUST those simple words “from Blackburn, near Bathgate, West Lothian” saying them as she did made my ears prick up.

Having attended the same primary school (albeit a decade earlier than Susan) brought back great memories and knowing her family, large like mine, brought out a flood of tears as I sat and played and re-played (on YouTube) Susan Boyle’s incredible performance in a Glasgow theatre.

Susan Boyle not only made me proud to tell all my friends and work colleagues in Cambridge and London where I now live and work that I too hail from Blackburn, near Bathgate, West Lothian, no Susan reminded me of so much more of Blackburn and its wonderful people, and also its poor downtrodden image as portrayed to the outside world, from Bathgate and beyond.

Blackburn folk, (not just Susan Boyle), were often looked down upon and laughed at whenever we spoke, or gave out our home town address. Blackburn was seen as depressed, lacking in talent and yet it really has always been given a raw deal.

But this past week, the Susan Boyle performance on Britain’s Got Talent has revenged us all. Not just her performance, but her (very Blackburn) sense of humour, her modesty, her simplicity, her humility, her ability to care, and not least her hitherto hidden talent as a big-stage performance artiste.

Susan Boyle, thank you! Thank you for reminding me, and for honouring me with the ability to say to all in the world who will listen, “Like Susan Boyle, I too am from Blackburn, near Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland and I too am feeling awesome today.”

Daniel Hannan

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