THE POPULARITY of Birkhill Primary School head teacher Bill Imlay was amply demonstrated on Saturday night when the local Millennium Hall was packed to capacity for an event in his honour.

Mr Imlay retires at the end of term after 23 years at the school and the local community got together for a rhythm and blues evening to mark his departure.

Though he knew that something was afoot, Mr Imlay was not aware of the scale of the event until he arrived.

“It was absolutely overwhelming, the place was jammed,” he told The Courier. “It was just an incredible experience to meet so many former pupils and parents. In fact, some of the former pupils now have children of their own enrolled at the school.”

Mr Imlay has seen the school double in size from the days when it was in the old Muirhead-of-Liff building.

“This is a smashing community, a lovely place and the parents have been very supportive,” he said.

As well as being entertained by the music of Lights Out By Nine, Mr Imlay and his wife Margaret were presented with a quaich, a flask and other gifts.

Though Mr Imlay’s colleagues and pupils were planning events to mark his retiral, the village community also wanted to give him a special night to demonstrate their gratitude.

“Bill Imlay has been a huge influence in the village. He is a really sound personality and we wanted to say a really big thank you for all his hard work,” explained Ernie Coutts, who organised the event with his wife, Linda.