Dalbeattie Learning Campus has been the venue for two very special events to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of WW1.

The first event, in partnership with the Dalbeattie Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, took place on Thursday 8th November at 7.00pm. This was an evening community concert held in Dalbeattie Learning Campus’ Heughan Hall, which was started off with Marching The Colours (carried out by Mr Dingwall and Mr McNay) followed by contributions from The Stewartry Wind Band, Galloway Pipes and Drums, The NYCOS Choir, The Heughan Choir and three dramatic sketches performed by students from Dalbeattie High School Drama Department, the producer and director being Mrs Inga Blamire. These sketches were very moving and included: a ‘Train Station Scene’ as the wives waved their husbands goodbye as they went off to war; the soldiers in the ‘WW1 Trench’ waiting for the signal to go over the top; and ‘Hospital and Home’ as sad news came back from the front.                                                                                          All three scenes were enhanced with items borrowed from Dalbeattie Museum. Also significant, was the presence of two ‘Ghost WW1 Soldiers’ and two ‘Ghost WW1 Sailors’ who stood in silence throughout. This, together with the placing of ‘There But Not There’ silhouettes placed randomly amongst the audience, was a very thought provoking touch, organised by The Royal British Legion Dalbeattie Branch. Outside the school, to greet people was a reconstruction of a WW1 tank, created by Mr Stott. The evening was rounded off with some excellent refreshments prepared by Dalbeattie High School’s Mrs Houston and Hospitality Department, sponsored by Dalbeattie Museum.

On Friday 9th November, during the school day, there was a very special dedication service for the return of the school’s WW1 Memorial Plaque from Dalbeattie Museum (where it was temporarily housed while our new school was being built and which has recently been restored by Dalbeattie’s Men Shed.) At this service, 105 long stemmed poppies, each labelled with the names of the 105 former pupils who lost their lives in WW1, were placed in front of the brass plaque by pupils and staff of both schools, prior to its being mounted on wall. Pupils who are members of Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Cubs wore their uniforms in school for the ceremony. We are grateful to Dalbeattie Royal British Legion for organising the long stemmed poppies, the laying of which has been a fitting way to re-dedicate our school’s WW1 memorial plaque. The personal stories of some of the 105 names on the plaque were also highlighted in a slide show while the 105 names were read out. Pupils Katie Mein and Ruari Webster also read some moving poems. Drama sketches by Dalbeattie High School Drama students and singing by the Heughan Choir were also repeated.

Both events were attended by Mark Smith of Dalbeattie and Kirkgunzeon Parish Church who also contributed to proceedings. The school has also been delighted to display a beautiful poppy fall, in the main reception area, during this important period of Remembrance. The fall of knitted poppies was created by volunteers from the Church.

Interspersed throughout the drama, the High School’s senior Reps and House Captains informed us all about the history of WW1 and its relevance to the pupils of Dalbeattie Learning Campus symbolised by the return of the school’s WW1 Memorial Plaque. Mrs Duncan and Mrs Chambers, the Primary and Secondary Head Teachers co-ordinated events at both ceremonies, which have been praised by all for being so moving and special.

At a separate Remembrance Assembly, Mrs Duncan shared a beautiful book from Poppy Scotland with pupils in Primary 1,2 and 3. The poppy fall has now been removed ready for display in Colliston Park for the Remembrance Service at 11am (all people to be assembled at 10.50am) and the 105 named poppies are now on display in Dalbeattie Museum window.