FAMILIES and friends gathered at Clackmannan Primary School last week when pupils hosted a “wonderful” Burns Supper.

It was a traditional celebration of Scotland’s National Bard when the P6 students hosted the annual event on Thursday, January 24.

Guests were led in The Selkirk Grace by the children, before the meal started with a cock-a-leekie soup.

Ross Millar piped the haggis in while this year’s Poosie Nancy was Leah Bell.

The whole of P6 joined together to deliver the Address to a Haggis with Zara McCluskie delivering the killing blow.

The main course, enjoyed by everyone, was the traditional dish of haggis, neeps and tatties, followed by shortbread and tablet.

Pupils used their new-found hospitality skills to serve throughout and the guests were later entertained, starting with Macpherson’s Rant being sung with great gusto by Archie Smart, Kaiden Muir and Nour Oudi.

This was followed by an animated recitation of Scots Wha Hae by Archie Smart, Robert Land, Leon McIlroy and Rory McKenzie.

Zara McCluskie, Jess Goodsir, Morgan Hosie and Eve Weir treated those present to a poignant recitation of To a Mouse.

P6 laddies then gave a hilarious Toast to the Lassie, met by an equally enthusiastic Reply.

A beautiful rendition of Ye Banks and Braes from Isla Cowan, Mia Johnstone, Amber McGarvie, Lily Gibson, Emily Prentice, Lisa Lindsay and Sally Lindsay followed before all of P6 joined together for Auld Lang Syne to round the entertainment off.

Supported by Mrs Nimmo, Mrs Elins and Mrs Ross, the children worked hard to organise the evening following months studying the life and works of Robert Burns.

They contacted Class Cuisine to arrange for catering, organised a raffle to help with funding and learned a while lot about budgeting and marketing to bring the evening to a successful conclusion.

Debra Laird, head teacher at the school, said: “I would like to congratulate the children for such a wonderful evening.

“There was singing, poetry, and very funny and cleverly written toasts! It was incredible!

“The children have worked for months organising and planning, and every detail was perfect.

“They also demonstrated enterprising skills which will definitely serve them well in the future.

“What a talented and confident group of young people!”

Thanks go to Karen Brander for hospitality training, Ross Millar for piping, Class Cuisine for catering, Sarah Black for piano accompaniment, Mrs Tilly’s for the raffle donation, the parent council for tablet and everyone who helped raise funds.