Record entry for Burns schools contest

YOUNGSTERS from across the region are warming up and doing final rehearsals for this year’s Dumfries and Galloway Burns Association Schools competition. It takes place on Saturday at St Joseph’s College and St Andrew’s RC Primary in Dumfries. And there’s a record number of entries at 340, ensuring a full day of performances. Pupils will be representing their schools, both primary and secondary, in recitation, bagpiping, singing and on the fiddle, piano and accordion. There’s a whole range of medals and trophies up for grabs and the overall winners will go on to represent the region at the national finals later this year. Convenor Fiona Evans is delighted at the response and said: “It just shows how popular our competition is, and that the works of Robert Burns, and our Scots culture, is definitely being kept alive in schools throughout Dumfries and Galloway. “We have schools who have never entered before. Just wonderful.” See next week’s papers for results and photos. Pictured: a previous contest