Cowdenbeath Rotary Club sees pupils pay tribute to war dead

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from Crossgates, Hill of Beath, St Bride's, Foulford, St Joseph's and Kelty Primary Schools planted poppies at Old Beath Cemetery and Beath Cemetery last Monday and Wednesday.

Pupils from Lochgelly West, Lochgelly South and St Patrick's Primary Schools were at Lochgelly Cemetery last Tuesday to do the same.

Finally, pupils from Cardenden Primary School attended Bowhill Cemetery a week last Friday and pupils from Denend and St Ninian's Primary Schools were at Bowhill Cemetery last Wednesday.

Each pupil planted a poppy at a different war grave or memorial, having heard some information about the service people buried at the grave or remembered at the memorial.

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

All the pupils who attended were extremely well-behaved and respectful, and many asked questions about the people who had lost their lives in the war years.

The weather, particularly at Lochgelly Cemetery, was very wet indeed.

However, this did not stop the local Lochgelly schools from being represented on the day.

The pupils and teachers representing the schools even walked to the cemetery and back, having paid their respects on behalf of their school to those whose graves or memorials at Lochgelly Cemetery are looked after by the CWGC.

It is hoped that the primary pupils' poppy planting event can become an annual occurrence, taking place each November in the run-up to Remembrance Day.

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

As part of a continuing project by Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, pupils from local primary schools last week planted poppies at local Commonwealth War Grave Commission-maintained graves and memorials (Image: Supplied)

Craig Bennet, president of Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, said: "All the children were attentive and engaged.

"They wanted to learn and to take part.

"They were a credit to their schools and to each other.

"We hope that we at Cowdenbeath Rotary Club can repeat this very humbling project next year.

"I must pay particular thanks to Rotarian Tom Russell, his wife Mary, and to Rotarians Yolanda Hilton, David Hunter and Hank John; and also to James Robertson, of the Royal British Legion Scotland Crossgates branch, for the tremendous help at the various cemeteries when the pupils were planting poppies.

"This was very much appreciated.

"I must also thank the many local primary schools who willingly gave of their time and engaged with Cowdenbeath Rotary Club in this project."