Fife pupils praised for planting poppies at war graves

Legion Scotland's Crossgates branch and Cowdenbeath Rotary Club thanked the children for their involvement in the Plant a Plastic Poppy events.

Their efforts were in the lead-up to the 80th anniversary of VE Day celebrations in early May.

Pupils and the teacher from Hill of Beath Primary School with Jimmy from the Brittish Legion and Craig from Cowdenbeath Rotary who presented the children and teacher with certificates to thank them (Image: David Wardle) The pupils, from schools in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area, planted the poppies to remember the local war dead from both world wars.

The large poppies were placed at local cemeteries.

Last week, Jimmy Robertson from Legion Scotland Crossgates and Craig Bennet from the Rotary Club presented certificates to the pupils and teachers at Hill of Beath, St Kenneth's, and Crossgates primary schools.

The certificates were to recognise the children's interest in the project.

Certificates were also given to other participating primary schools including St Bride's, Cowdenbeath, Lumphinnans, and Benarty, who held their own presentations for their pupils.

Cowdenbeath Rotary present the children from Crossgates with certificates for helping lay poppies on war graves for VE day (Image: David Wardle) Jimmy Robertson from Crossgates Legion said: "The children showed tremendous respect to the local war dead.

"They were very attentive and they were all a credit to their schools."

The poppy project will be repeated to commemorate VJ Day 80 in August, with all primary schools in the Cowden-Gelly area invited to participate.

Craig Bennet, the Rotary Club’s new president, said: "We very much look forward to repeating the project in August when we hope even more local primary schools will participate than those who did in May."