Pupils at two East Kilbride schools have become the latest partners to come together through Nil by Mouth.
More than 120 primary seven pupils from St.Kenneth’s and Kirktonholme Primaries took part in a special event organised by the charity featuring the poet Thomas Clark exploring how language can break down divides between people. The event was part of the charity’s’‘United Against Division’project which brings children from different faiths, traditions and backgrounds together to explore difference and celebrate community. Since being founded in 2000 Nil by Mouth has worked with over 100,000 people right across Scotland promoting values of tolerance and respect.
Thomas Clark is one of the leading figures in the revival of the Scots language in recent years, translating numerous books into Scots. During his visit he read from ‘Neeps & Tatties’ as well as running a special workshop exploring what various Scots words mean and the part Scots plays in the children’s day to day life.
The event was sponsored by the Gilbert Elliot Memorial Trust (GEM) set up by East Kilbride businessman David Urquhart and allowed the pupils to enjoy Irn Bru and Shortbread as well as picking up copies of Thomas’ new ‘Eejit Street’ comic.
Nil by Mouth Director Dave Scott said:
‘This was a really brilliant event! Thomas had such an engaging style, the children were having such a good time whilst learning loads about the language and mixing with each other while they did it. This was our first school partnership in East Kilbride and it was good to see appetite and interest in our work in the town. We are very grateful to the Gilbert Elliot Memorial Trust for its support in making this, and similar, events across Lanarkshire happen. We’ve had great support from the staff involved in both schools and aim to return later in the year to build on the success of this event.’
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