ALMOST 250 people enjoyed Tea With Jennie Lee over Friday and Saturday bat Lochgelly Centre.

This year the event celebrated the 50th anniversary of the appointment of Lochgelly woman Jennie as the first ever Minister of State for the Arts in a British Government.

She took up that post on February 17 1967 and went on to found and establish the Open University so to see pupils from ten local primary schools performing and mounting displays seemed so appropriate to celebrate the anniversary as Jennie Lee was someone who always urged young people to enjoy and develops their talents to the full.

The Friday event ran from approximately 10.45am to 2.30pm and featured performances, displays and exhibitions by schoolchildren.

Sunday saw the premiere of a play – Jennie Lee’s Homework Project – written by Lochgelly's own Willie Hershaw and performed by pupils from Benarty Primary School.

Attractions on Friday included songs and poetry from Hill of Beath, Crossgates, Kelty, Denend, Lochgelly South and Kelty Primaries; a performance by Cowdenbeath Primary’s Ukulele Orchestra; and displays and exhibitions from Lumphinnans, Lochgelly South, Lochgelly West and Foulford Primaries.

There was also country dancing from pupils of Cowdenbeath Primary.

On Saturday the Wullie Hershaw play was performed by pupils of Benarty Primary alongside one written and performed by the local branch of the Workers’ Educational Association (Scotland) – so there were two premieres in one weekend.

Jennie Lee's Homework Project was about a young girl who went to Lochore Castle and fell down a hole and saw history unfolding before her eyes.

These were augmented by performances, a range of workshops – on coloured glass, song, fitness and art, displays and exhibitions including a chance to visit the Open University archive via the Lochgelly Centre’s computers.

Fife Council's Area Services Cowdenbeath Area Services Manager, Kevin Sayer, was delighted with the quality of the artistic talents displayed by the children.

He said: "The schools tackled their contributions with tremendous enthusiasm and no little talent.

"The audiences enjoyed the variety of the contributions and it was a great to see the talents of the youngsters shining through.

"Everyone agreed that Jennie Lee would have been delighted to see the children enjoying displaying their talents."