Pupils express their feelings about Rutherglen 900

Published: Friday 17 April 2026

This is a group pic of the young people on stage at the end of the show. they are brightly dressed, waving ribbons and laughing. In the centre is Rutherglen 900 mascot, Dougie the pigeon.

Pupils from two Rutherglen primary schools have been strutting their stuff to mark the 900th anniversary of the Royal Burgh.

Youngsters from Calderwood and Bankhead Primary schools performed as part of the STRUT kids project during the Rutherglen 900 celebrations, taking place across the town in recent weeks.

The project enabled the children to participate in a 10-week programme of expressive arts and dance workshops which culminated in two celebration events shared with teachers, classmates and families.

Also in the audience was Rutherglen 900 mascot, Dougie the Pigeon, a character also designed by a local primary school pupil.

Lead artist Bex Anson and contemporary dancer Alexander Tsiapi guided both schools through a series of expressive movement, illustration and animation workshops.

When showtime arrived, the children then got to share their final choreographies illuminated by a light show and projections of their creations.

This is a picture of a group of the young people performing durng the show.

*Photos by Katherine Anne Rose

Bex Anson praised the young people involved for their creativity and enthusiasm.

She added: “I love seeing the positive energy that the children bring — they have brilliant imaginations and some seriously wicked moves. From skipping ropes and group routines to tiny but mighty solos and ribbons flying, they throw themselves into it.

“Watching their confidence grow week by week and seeing them step into the spotlight together is something special.

“STRUT Kids is all about confidence, imagination and serious team spirit. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about strutting proud and owning the moment.”

Executive Director of Education Resources at South Lanarkshire Council, Lyndsey McRoberts, added: “STRUT Kids brought such a vibrant and celebratory element to the programme, highlighting the importance of movement and expression through the youngest in the community.

“I have no doubt that being part of something so special at this time in their lives will have created lasting memories for pupils in schools across the town.”

Rutherglen 900 is a community-led initiative created to celebrate Rutherglen’s 900th anniversary.

Funded by South Lanarkshire Council, Clyde Gateway and Creative Scotland, supported by Healthy n Happy, Clyde Gateway, Grow 73, South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture and sponsored by Specsavers.