Good weather graces Gala Day at Strathaven

Jun 19 2008 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

Good weather graces Gala Day at Strathaven

HUGE crowds flocked to Strathaven on Saturday for the town’s annual gala day.

It began with the judging of the shop, fancy dress, windows and best-kept garden competitions.

Strathaven and District Pipe Band performed and there was judging of the floats and other fancy dress competitions.

The procession began at Station Road to the accompaniment of the two pipe bands, and participants wound their way round the town to the George Allan Park for the crowning ceremony.

The event was the climax to a fun-packed week of activities which started a week earlier with the annual cycle run which finished on Sunday with the final of the gala bowling competitions.

Throughout the week there was something for everyone, ranging from the boat regatta in the park pond and the raft race from the Craig Bridge, line dancing displays - to the children’s magic show, sports competitions, and duck race.

During the afternoon the crowd were kept entertained with a programme of activities which included displays by the Heather and Wendy Weir School of Dancing, the inter-hostelry and children’s tug of war, the Bunkhouse Line Dancing Club, and a variety of children’s races.

This year’s queen was 16-year-old Emma Jackson, a fifth-year pupil at Strathaven Academy.

She was attended by her court and champion, 17-year-old Robin Scott, a sixth year pupil at the school.

The rest of the court included Amy Charnley and Josh Kirkland, pupils at St Patrick’s Primary School; Craig Paterson and Anna Kennedy, pupils at Kirklandpark Primary; Megan Murphy and Matthew Murray, pupils at Wester Overton Primary; Kyle McCutcheon and Hannah Stobo, Sandford Primary; and Emma Gilliland and Graeme Ramsay, Gilmourton Primary.

This year’s crowning was performed by Strathaven woman Elizabeth Teape, an adviser to the gala committee.

Here are some of the pictures from the day.