First gala day for 20 years in Grahamston

The idea to bring back Grahamston gala day started off as a joke, according to organisers, but it grew legs and the fun has been scheduled for June 4 in Victoria Park Thornhill Road.

The first Queen in 20 years will be Hailey Honey who attends Victoria Primary and her Herald will be fellow pupil Steven Haggart. Doing the crowning honours is community stalwart Betty Cook.

Committee member Angie McArthur said: “We asked Betty as she’s well known to most of the residents in the area and over the years has been involved in many of the community projects and still runs the local youth club, something that’s she’s continued to do since most of the committee members were youth club members.

“She’s given up so much of her time for the community so it will be a nice gesture to recognise all of her hard work and have her involved in the day itself.

“This is the first Grahamston gala day for 20 years and started off as a bit of a joke between friends but once we thought about it we thought, yes, we could do this.

“We realised that many kids today didn’t know what a gala day was and haven’t had the opportunity to be involved and experience one.

“It’s become a thing of the past for many of the local areas and we thought it was about time that we gave the community the opportunity to once again get involved and provide a fun filled day that the children can look forward to.”

The full retinue for the royal court is – Queen – Hailey Honey; Herald – Steven Haggart; Maid of Honour – Samantha Redding; Maid of Honour – Emily Anne Whiteside; Courtier – Toni Bishop; Ladies in Waiting – Becca Lister, Teagan Reid, Nicole Rennie, Mille Glen-Kerr; Page Boy– Callum Hawkins; Flowergirl – Savannah Lambie; Grahamston Boys – Aaron Aitchison and Ross Cowan; Grahamston Girl: Kimberly McGregor.

A prize bingo fundraising night is being held in Thornhill Community Centre on Saturday at 7pm. For tickets visit the Grahamston Gala Day Association Facebook page or text Angie on 07837 501 018.