BOWHILL People’s Burns Club’s annual Primary School Pupils’ Burns Competition was held on Saturday in the new venue of the village Learning and Development Centre and thanks went to the caretaker and staff for laying out the big hall in advance.

Some of the children were a wee bit overawed at performing on the big stage in front of such a large crowd of families, friends and teachers, but they handled it very well.

There were over 40 entrants for the poetry and song competitions which were keenly contested.

The results were as follows, Poetry competition, Ages 5 - 6, 1 Lexie Crooks; 2 Amy Scott; 3 Ryan Shand. Ages 7- 9: 1 Lucy Boyle, 2 Amy Brown; 3 Hollie McCulloch; 4 Tayler McAlpine. Ages 10 - 12, 1 John Shields; 2 Danya Fleming; 3 Greig Falls.

Song Competition, Ages 7 - 9, 1 Eileen Elias, 2 Lucy Boyle, 3 Arcadia Ward. Ages 10 - 12, 1 Courtney Hickman; 2nd Cameron Wallace; 3rd Erin Herd.

The Past Winner Medal was presented to Lucy Boyle and they handled it very well.

Later in the evening 20 club members met in the Bowhill hotel for the monthly meeting when the Children’s competition held earlier in the day was judged to have been another successful event and the next one, the Mixed Supper to be held at the end of the month was discussed.

Numbers for the supper are still rather low at the moment and any member wishing tickets for the event are advised to contact club treasurer Alex Page as soon as possible.

The price of the tickets has been held to the same as last year at £16 which is very reasonable for a meal followed by an evening’s entertainment.

Club President David MacDonald also advised that a 33 seat coach has provisionally been booked to take members to the Mauchline Holy Fair on 23rd May.

The running of the event has been taken over by the Mauchline Community Association and prevented the feared demise of the Fair. Those wishing to attend the fair should also let the treasurer know as soon as possible.

The members also welcomed newly appointed second Honorary President, Val McDairmid, to the meeting and she related how Bowhill People’s Burns Club had been a large part of her growing up as it was one of her late father’s great passions and the works of Burns were very familiar to her.

She expressed her feeling of honour at being offered the position and accepted her certificate of appointment with pleasure. Val and her partner Jo remained for the rest of the evening and enjoyed the harmony provided by the members.

Songs and recitations were given by Bill Adie, Bob Garmory, Archie Abercrombie, Tom Hopton, Jack Graham, John Berry, Jim Scott, Bob Shepherd, Iain Harkins, David MacDonald (Sen) and (Jun), Allan MacDonald, Alistair Deas & Alex Page.

Willie Miller and Stewart Abercrombie provided musical interludes and Stewart accompanied the singers. The monthly football sweep was won by David F. MacDonald.