Talented pupils do the Bard proud in 2016 contest

Tiegan Dunbar, of Falkland Primary School, was runner-up in the P3/4/5 verse competition.

The event, run annually by Cupar Burns Club in conjunction with the Fife Herald, took place once again in Cupar Old Parish Centre.

Around 70 competitors were entered from Auchtermuchty, Castlehill, Dunbog, Falkland, Gateside, Letham and Springfield primary schools as well as from Bell Baxter High School.

The pupils competed in four disciplines - recitation, singing, instrumental and bagpiping solos - before a large gathering of parents, teachers and club members.

The adjudicators (from left), Pat Mitchell, Alastair MacFarlane and John Rankin.

They were introduced by club vice-president Keith McIntosh and performed in front of adjudicators Alistair McFarlane, Pat Mitchell and John Rankin.

All competitors were presented with Certificates of Commendation by Club Bard Tom Green, and, before announcing the winners, the adjudicators each commented on the performances of the competitors and gave them words of advice and encouragement.

The results were:-

Recitation solos:

Secondary - 1 Rebecca McQueen, S1/2, Bell Baxter (‘Address to a Haggis’).

Primary 4/5 - 1 Fraser Borthwick, Falkland PS ( ‘Willie Wastle’); 2-Tiegan Dunbar, Falkland PS (‘Willie Wastle’); 3 Ella McGeorge, Letham PS (‘Scots Wha Hae’).

Primary 6/7 - 1 Haigan Mitchell, Castlehill PS (‘Address to the Toothache’); 2 Madison Cobban, Letham PS (‘To a Louse’); 3 Cameron Service, Letham PS (‘Scots Wha Hae’).

Singing Solos:

Gregor Akers of Castlehill Primary School takes part in the P6/7 verse competition.

Secondary - 1 Lucy Campbell, S3/4, Bell Baxter (‘The Soldier’s Return’); 2 Esme Finnie,S3/4, Bell Baxter (‘Logan Braes’).

Primary 4/5 - 1 Logan Reynolds, Letham PS (‘Auld Lang Syne’); 2 Savi Monson, Letham PS (‘The Winter it is Past’) 3 Eilidh Kennedy-Houston, Dunbog PS (‘Comin’ Thro the Rye’).

Primary 6/7 - 1 Ellen Hynes, Dunbog PS (‘Ca the Yowes to the Knowes’); 2 Helen Black, Letham PS (‘I’ll Ay Ca’ in by Yon Town’) 3 Max Stirling, Dunbog PS (‘Ye Jacobites By Name’).

Instrumental Solos:

Kaleb Dodds of Letham Primary School taking part in the P6/7 verse competition.

Secondary - 1 Catherine Reid, S3/4, Bell Baxter (Scots medley on the snare drum);

2 Bryony Baxter, S3/4, Bell Baxter (Burns medley on violin); 3 Natalie Pereira, S5/6, Bell Baxter (Burns medley on double bass).

Primary 4/5 - 1 Logan Reynolds, Letham PS (Scots medley on cello); 2 Carla Hamilton, Dunbog PS (Scots medley on piano).

Primary 6/7: 1 Woody Morton, Letham PS (Scots medley on cello); 2 James Duncan, Castlehill PS (Burns medley on violin); 3 Helen Black, Letham PS (Scots medley on piano).

Bagpiping Solos:

Secondary - 1 Ewan Baillie, S5/6, Bell Baxter; 2 Ruadhan Scrivener-Anderson, S5/6, Bell Baxter; 3 Daniel Staal, S1/2, Bell Baxter.

Bell Baxter pupil Rebecca McQueen was among the prizewinners.

Primary 4/5: 1 Owen Stark, Auchtermuchty PS.

Committee member George Manson presented gold, silver and bronze medals to the first, second and third placed winners, and vice president Keith McIntosh presented the Cupar Burns Club/Fife Herald trophies to the first winners in each section.

A comprehensive vote of thanks to all who had participated in the successful organisation and running of the competitions was given by the Bard, Tom Green.

Cupar Burns Club and the Fife Herald also wish to thank all the schools, teachers and parents who supported and encouraged the pupils to participate in the competitions.