THE work of five young people at a special Bard’s Evening is an example that the works of Rabbie Burns is in safe hands locally.

Cowdenbeath Rotary Club’s event, held recently at Wee Jimmies, saw five young raconteurs, from Lochgelly West and Denend Primary Schools, show a tremendous grasp of the Burns dialect, as they did several popular poems.

The event was organised by the rotary club’s senior vice president, John Gilfillan, himself a tremendous Bard enthusiast, and he welcomed Kayleigh Menzies, Rhys Brewer and Lincoln Brown, from the West; and Mia Taylor and Bradley Houghton, from Denend, who entertained the company, after a hearty meal of haggis, neeps and tatties, or steak pie, had been enjoyed by the company, with piper Dean Saunders piping in the haggis and young Lincoln Brown giving the Selkirk Grace.

The Address To The Haggis was extended by club member, Hank John.

Before the young raconteurs took the floor John Gilfillan, dressed as the Bard, told the story of Rabbie Burns in a poem of his own, which captured the imagination of the company.

After excellent contributions from Rhys and Kayleigh, and a superb duet by Mia and Bradley, an interesting rendition of ‘My love is like a red, red rose’, came from two Dutch natives, club member Tony Pruysten, who stays in Cowdenbeath; and Lars van Kooten, from Kelty.

During the evening musical interludes were given by pianist, Stuart Abercrombie.

At the end of the evening all those who made contributions were given specially signed certificates by John Gilfillan, and books of Burns poems.

Rotary Club president, Jim Stark said: “It was amazing to hear the way the young school pupils were able to give such perfect renditions of some difficult Burns poems, and getting a Dutch version of My love is like a red, red rose, put the icing on the cake!”