UK Eurovision entry "a real inspiration" in Yorkshire Dales hometown
"You've really inspired our students to be creative and to follow their dreams."
A singer-songwriter from the Yorkshire Dales is making final preparations to represent the UK at the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place tomorrow (Saturday 22 May).
Settle-born James Newman will be singing his own song - Embers - in front of 3500 people in Rotterdam in a bid to secure a few "douze points" on the big night.
He was due to perform in the contest last year but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Competition rules meant he had to enter a new song for this year's contest.
Teachers from his old school, Settle College, have told us he's a "real inspiration" to their students, encouraging them to "follow their dreams."
"We lived in the middle of nowhere..."
In an interview, James mentioned how it was difficult for him to buy records because he lived so far away from any supermarkets!
He said: "Because we lived in the middle of nowhere we had to drive 45 minutes to go Asda so I remember I made my mum drive me all the way to buy a tape or CD of When Two Become One by the Spice Girls when it came out. I just loved it.
"It was really hard to consume music when I was a kid. I don't think we even had a computer in our house so it was either the radio or going to buy CDs.
"The Newman family loves soul music so my mum brought me and John up on Motown and soul and stuff like Curtis Mayfield.
"I've been trying to really be in the moment and remember everything by doing video diaries. Just so I can remember it because it goes so quickly and there is so much going on. You've got to take a minute to just think about where you are."
"It puts Settle on the map."
Growing up in Settle, James went to school at Settle High School, which is now called Settle College.
Linda Nash, school librarian, said: "I remember a curly haired boy whom, I was thinking whilst watching him this week, hasn't changed much at all!"
Staff at the school have told us how seeing someone like James on the world stage is inspiring for their students, especially considering they live in a small, rural town.
Helen Robertson, who teaches music, said: "To show that one of our own is coming out and flying the flag for the UK is absolutely brilliant and a real inspiration, and so nobody can say, 'that will never happen to us, Miss.'
"It's good to be able to show our students, it doesn't matter that you're in a tiny little rural countryside school. It doesn't matter where you're from, you can achieve fantastic things. To make it in the music industry, you don't have to be in London or Manchester or Leeds. Actually, you can do it from tiny little Settle."
"You've really inspired our students to be creative and to follow their dreams."
Joe Lord was in school with James, and is now a teacher there: "The students have been listening to the song, most of them have been singing along. I get students coming in and telling me they've heard the song played on something.
"It's great for our area. It puts Settle on the map, and it's great to celebrate one of our former students who's gone on to do something so amazing.
"I remember at school, the talent show was always something to look forward to, and James was always the highlight. Really distinct voice, always a fantastic performance, very memorable."
Joe has this message for James: "The students are really excited, they've been singing your song.
"You've really inspired our students to be creative and to follow their dreams."