Pupils share lunch club’s haggis, neeps and tatties
Pupils from Rhunahaorine Primary School and Early Learning Centre (ELC) were invited to join Tayinloan Lunch Club for the group’s recent annual Burns Supper.
John Hunt piped in the haggis and performed an animated Address to the Haggis after which it was cut by Mark Byers.
The traditional dinner of haggis, neeps and tatties, made by Ruby Currie and served by the lunch club, was enjoyed by all. For some of the younger children it was their first time trying haggis.
Mandy Beveridge, who volunteers in the school, had all the children practising and working together on musical pieces to provide some entertainment during the afternoon. The school children played on xylophones, snare drums, ukuleles, guitars and claves to accompany the audience singing Ae Fond Kiss.
The ELC was not to be outdone as each child finger and thumbed ukuleles and sang Fiddle De I. Everyone joined in the songs and the children were delighted.
The primary children also danced a Virginia Reel and Canadian Barn Dance.
The highlight of the day for Catriona Brown, acting head teacher, was the recitals of A Red, Red Rose which some children had learned by heart.
Lewis O’Hanlon said: ‘It took a long time to memorise.’
Louise Hurd – who recited all four verses – added: ‘It was scary at first but once I got started and everyone liked what I was doing it was good.’
Craig Hurd said of the event: ‘It was amazing at Burns.’ Mrs Brown said: ‘Having an event at the end of their learning on Burns is a great opportunity for the children. It helps builds their self-esteem and gives them a reason to feel proud when they have managed to perform to an audience.’
Stuart Byers who played a xylophone and performed the dances said he was ‘confident’. The dancing was a challenge as the children usually have the whole of the hall to use but they all managed both dances and Kieran Hurd was ‘proud of the dancing’.
Some kilts and sashes had been borrowed for the day and although Fabian Kimak said he was ‘proud’ and that he liked the kilt, unfortunately Lewis O’Hanlon ‘hated wearing the kilt as it kept falling down’!