Gala organisers appeal for support from people of Larkhall

Jun 11 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

FAMILIES are being urged to go along to this year’s Larkhall Gala Day.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the fun-packed day on Saturday, June 27.

Robert Smillie Park is unavailable this year while the new £22m Larkhall Academy is being built so this year’s event will take place in the playground of Glengowan Primary School.

The parade will assemble at Station Road at 11.15am where SNP councillor Peter Craig and representatives from local businesses will judge the best fancy dress and best decorated float.

Larkhall’s three other councillors; the SNP’s Lesley McDonald and Labour’s Jackie Burns and Andy Carmichael, have also been invited to join in the fun.

Mary Duckett, chairman of the Gala Day Committee, said the aim is to unite the community.

“Our motto is ‘bringing the community together’,” she added

“We have the sunshine ordered, and just want the people of Larkhall to turn up and support the event and enjoy the day.”

The day will be full of entertainment and will have something for everyone, including a children’s fairground, bouncy castles, balloons, facepainting, tombola, toy stall, book stall, airbrush tattoo artist, burger van and candy floss stall.

Larkhall Congregational Church will set up a tea room in the primary school.

There will be prizes for the best fancy dress, best decorated float and best decorated shop.

Clyde Valley Pipe Band and another band will lead the procession from Station Road to Glengowan Primary School.

The main street will be covered in colourful bunting and a number of shops and houses will be specially decorated to mark the special day.

Gala Queen Ciara Innes (11), a pupil at Machanhill Primary, will be crowned at 1pm.

To get the crowd into a party atmosphere, local bands are set to rock Larkhall with live music in the afternoon.

Dancers from Universal Connections will wow crowds with some fantastic routines.

There will be a wide range of stalls at the event, including the Rainbow Group, set up in the memory of tragic Larkhall Academy pupil Chloe Clark, who died following an asthma attack in 2005, Larkhall Rotary Club and Larkhall Twinning Association.

Stalls will be available for charity and voluntary groups.

Mary said: “We would like local groups and organisations to come forward and take up a stall.

“The stalls are free for voluntary groups and charities and it gives them a chance to fundraise for their organisations.”

The gala committee are also looking for volunteers to help on the day.

Mary said: “We are also looking for some kind people who can lend us a convertible car to escort the queen and court. We have six convertible cars to transport the children and are looking for about three more. We are also looking for face-painters and other volunteers who can spend a couple of hours on the day.”

Anyone who can help or would like more information about the gala day should contact Mary on 884819 or 07990896558.