30-05-2020. Picture Michael Gillen. SLAMANNAN. Day 68 of UK wide coronavirus lockdown. Day 2 of Phase One of lockdown easing in Scotland. Slamannan & Limerigg Gala Day 2020. Queen Ellie McCourtney.30-05-2020. Picture Michael Gillen. SLAMANNAN. Day 68 of UK wide coronavirus lockdown. Day 2 of Phase One of lockdown easing in Scotland. Slamannan & Limerigg Gala Day 2020. Queen Ellie McCourtney.
30-05-2020. Picture Michael Gillen. SLAMANNAN. Day 68 of UK wide coronavirus lockdown. Day 2 of Phase One of lockdown easing in Scotland. Slamannan & Limerigg Gala Day 2020. Queen Ellie McCourtney.

Car parade replaces cancelled Slamannan and Limerigg Gala Day

Slamannan and Limerigg became a “sea of colour” on Saturday as the villages held a social distancing-friendly car procession instead of their joint gala day.

Youngsters who were part of the original retinue for the coronavirus-hit event, which was due to be brought back for the first time since 1999, were driven around the streets where they were cheered on by residents who made the most of the chance to soak up the sunshine.

A spokeswoman for the gala day committee said: “We need to thank all the committee members for everything they’ve done over the last year; every single retinue child and parent; the girls that run the community pavilion in Slamannan as they did a load of work; Michael Purcell for the music; Barry Kelly and John Robertson for the pick-up trucks.

“Also, Shelley Ferguson who supplied a gift and keepsake for every retinue child; Pearl Watson who turned the sleigh into a white princess carriage for the queen; our band of volunteers who made everything happen on the day; and the queen Ellie McCourtney who couldn’t get crowned but will always be the 2020 quarantine queen!

“We can’t thank all the villagers enough. The place was a sea of colour.”