BAGPIPERS from Winchester College entertained residents and staff at Brendoncare Nursing Home on Park Road to commemorate the life of Robert Burns.

The six students, led by their teacher Jim Dawson, made a spectacular entrance and delivered a powerful performance for those at the lunch.

The pupils from Winchester College were Ben Howman, Alastair Howman, Archie Sillars, Angus Robertson and William Spinks

There was then the chance to enjoy a Scottish fayre of traditional ‘neeps and tatties’, with numerous toasts.

Janet Graham, activities co-ordinator at the home, said: “We were expecting one piper and were literally blown away when six pipers piped into our conservatory.

“It was a wonderful lunch which made many people very happy and it was worth going the extra mile to arrange this fun event. Thank you, Winchester College.”

The private school has a long-running community service programme and are involved with work at local primary schools, the Hospital of St Cross and the Theatre Royal.

It provides an eclectic range of worthwhile activities for over 300 senior boys. The pupils spend two hours each week volunteering across the city.

The college aims to foster a caring ethos, by engaging in weekly commitments of service to others, and that their volunteering will benefit the wider community.

Work has included conservation with the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, clearing dishes at the Winchester Churches Night Shelter, demonstrating scientific experiments in primary schools, helping with garden maintenance in local schools, creative work in special schools, teaching fly fishing to autistic children, assisting with meals at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, visiting elderly residents at local nursing homes, serving in charity shops, organising local science, chess and ceramics clubs for youngsters.