Poetry contest
Pupils show off their knowledge of Burns
There was a healthy entry for the annual Burns Poetry Competition when a total of 68 primary school pupils submitted entries for the verse speaking competition which was held in the community theatre at Arran High School.
With the assistance of primary school teachers and administrative staff throughout the island’s schools, the competition, now in its third year, was sponsored by the Lamlash Burns Club, which is affiliated to the Robert Burns World Federation.
Once again the island’s primary school pupils proved they are well versed in traditional children’s poetry and the poetry of their national bard, Robert Burns.
All of the youngsters who recited were presented with a personalised coloured scroll which was designed by Tony Van Breugel and depicted a background painting, which was the winning entry in the annual primary schools 2017 painting and drawing competition, which is also sponsored by the Burns Club. The winning painting featured was drawn by Heather Beeton, a pupil at Shiskine Primary School.
Compere for the event was once again Heather Gough, who warmly welcomed all of the competitors and their families to the community theatre. In her inimical style, she introduced all the competitors and put them at their ease before they delivered their recitations. The competition was judged by Jock Kelso, past-president of Lamlash Burns Club, and Fiona Fyfe and Fiona Wyper, from North Ayrshire’s professional learning academy, who once again faced the extremely difficult task of selecting the best performances on the day.
The children competed in one of five categories according to their class year, and the winners were awarded a personalised framed Burns Club medal, together with a quaich which was donated by North Ayrshire Education Department. The quaichs are to be displayed in the schools.
The winners were: P1/2 Charlie Gilmore, P3/4 Kirsty Hume, P5 Annie McKelvie, P6 Daisy Innes, P7 Daisy McNamara.
Lamlash Burns Club, in continuing to set themselves the task of securing the future of the Burns tradition on Arran, is very proud of all of the youngsters who took part and who showed such amazing talent.
The club would like to offer a special thanks to the island’s primary school teachers, admin staff; to Richard Fletcher, who provided his skill as a photographer for the event; committee members, in particular Douglas Auld for acting as usher for all the attendees; and Andy Martin, secretary of the club who organised the event.
The club is also very grateful to Barry Smith, head teacher at Arran High School, who graciously provided the use of the community theatre and who found the time to listen to some of the recitations.