Children in Robroyston will be receiving a slice of equality along with their Haggis, Neeps and Tatties this Burns Night thanks to support from the local community development agency.
The Barmulloch Community Development Company (BCDC) has teamed up with Nil by Mouth to offer every class in Wallacewell Primary School the opportunity to participate in the ‘Neeps & Tatties’ project which uses the Scots language as a way of helping children better understand difference.
Written entirely in Scots, and created by author Carey Morning and illustrator Anna York, ‘Neeps & Tatties’ tells the story of two warring vegetable tribes who are finally encouraged to put the past behind them in the interests of a better future. The book examines issues such as discrimination and prejudice and includes a series of classroom games and activities based around the story that explore different cultures, including looking at the significance of food and festivals in different traditions.
Since being launched in January 2021 the book has been used in over 1,000 schools right across Scotland and the story been performed on YouTube by artists such as singer Iona Fyfe and Cbeebies presenter Rory Connors. Books are made available free of charge to schools thanks to the support of local businesses and charities such as BCDC.
BCDC is a development trust and registered charity which works with a range of partners in Balornock, Barmulloch, Millerston, Robroyston, and Springburn to support and create vibrant communities by delivering a range of projects, activities and services. Chief Executive Martin McElroy visited Wallacewell Primary this week to hand over copies of the book and its accompanying teaching resources to headteacher Laura Davidson and a representative from each year group.
BCDC Chief Executive Martin McElroy said:
‘There is a rich diversity in the north east of Glasgow and the ‘Neeps & Tatties’ project is a great way to help children celebrate the different faiths, cultures and traditions which exist within our area. Burns Night should be a time when people come together to eat, drink and enjoy each others company and I’m delighted that, alongside our own community event for adults, we can also help hundreds of young people at Wallacewell mark the occasion by donating these resources. This book deals with some big, important issues in a very gentle and thoughtful way and I know that the young people in our area will embrace the messages contained within it.’
Wallacewell Primary Head Teacher Laura Davidson said:
‘We are delighted to receive these books thanks to the generosity of BCDC and I look forward to seeing what our children and staff do with the resource. Like many schools in Scotland our classes will be focusing on Scots and Scotland as part of their interdisciplinary learning focus in the run-up to Burns Night. This resource is a great stimulus and will enable children and staff to explore important issues around the rights of the child and how we better understand differences between people. It is a fabulous project and we are delighted to be part of it.’