Carstairs & District Gala Day was held on the Village Green on Saturday 25th June:
With the sun shining the procession and fancy dress parade left the community centre and was led around the Village by Honorary President Keith Whitton. At 2 pm a large crowd cheered the Carstairs & District Gala Court for 2022 as they made their way to the stage. The Gala proceedings commenced with 1st Champion Olly Thomson escorting 1st Maid Katy Barker to the stage, 2nd Champion Lewis Tennant led 2nd Maid Abbi Aitkenhead, Guard of Honour Jack Turner then escorted Lady in Waiting Joni Hamilton & Sophie Kirtchev followed by Guard of Honour Logan Emery leading Maja Hansen to the stage. Next with the crowd still cheering 1st Champion Olly Thomson escorted Queen Lucy Taylor followed by her Ladies in Waiting Hannah Coates and Emma McDonald. Finally a huge cheer from the crowd saw 2nd Champion Lewis Tennant lead Crowning Lady Marion Ewart to the stage. Following a fanfare of trumpets Crowning Lady Marion Ewart proceeded to crown Lucy Taylor as Gala Queen for 2022. A number of presentations took place where Honorary President Keith Whitton congratulated John Forrest for 30 years on the committee as President, John then proceeded to present Nanette Melvin with the Life Member Award with both Robert Fraser and Stuart Fraser receiving long service awards. Following the ceremony the court proceeded to the War Memorial to lay the wreath. The sun continued to shine as the teas were served and the childrens and adult races were undertaken. The afternoon stage entertainment was provided by the music and vocals of Dougie Stokes. The day ended with the Gala Presentation and Gala Day Raffle draw.
A huge vote of thanks to the Gala Day Committee – Secretary Lynsey Bissett, Treasurer Louise Forrest, Sports Covener Stuart Fraser, Procession Coordinator Sandy Callan and Gala members Christine Hendry, Arlene Callan, Lynne Lindsay, Rachael Chambers, Melanie Stokes, Rebecca Stewart, Jillian MacConnell. A huge thanks to our Gala Day helpers who really ensured we had a fantastic Gala week and Gala Day with special mention to George Shields and Steven Hurst who were exceptional helpers. A big thanks to Gordon Fraser and Ian Brown for the PA System and Gala music. Our Gala Day drivers had once again provided a great show of beautiful cars to escort our Gala Court – they were Ian Brown, William Jamieson, William Forrest, Brian Davidson, Stewart Noble, Gordon MacDonald. A big thanks to the SLC council for the superb stage this year and to the Police who kept everything moving despite the huge challenge of the new traffic calming measures on Lanark Road.
Gala Week Sports and Event Winners were as follows:
Queens trophy – Lucy Taylor
Boys & Girls 5’s football – Xavier Lewis, Archie Holmes, Evelyn Pocock,Logan Chambers,Lucas McCulloch. Boys 5’s 9-11 – Leo Davidson, Justin Brownlee,Olly Thomson, Niall McCall. Girls 5’s 9-11 – Ava McNally, Hannah Coates, Gemma Forrest, Danielle Corrigan. Boys 5’s 12-15 – Oliver Wilson, Daniel Brownlee, Kane Straub, Layton Abernethy. Player of the tournament – Codi Notman.
Best Decorated House within court – ‘Japan’ – Hannah Coates.
Best Decorated House outwith court – ‘Battle of Britain’ – Robert Moon
Best Decorated Float – ‘We wish you all the luck in the world’ – Sarran Lewis group
Best Decorated window – ‘Horsing around’ – Carstairs Road – Rachael Campbell.
Best Group – ‘Disney’ – Scott Davidson group.
Overall Fancy Dress – ‘We wish you all the luck in the world’ – Sarran Lewis group.
Boys Junior Champion – Olly Thomson
Girls Junior Champion – Emma Grant
Overall Junior Champion – Emma Grant
June 2022 – Gala Week is now upon us, please get the bunting out and help provide some colour to our Village streets and support our kids. Look forward to seeing the sports day, disco, wellie throwing, pillow fight, 5 a side football, fun night with magician, quiz night, decortaed windows and houses, fancy dress, procession, crowning ceremony, free teas and snacks, childrens food bags, kids and adult races, stage entertainment with Dougie Stokes, presentation and raffle.
June 2022 – Gala Court Training completed, door to door collections undertaken and issue of Gala Programme and Brochure to every resident.
May 2022 – Gala Dance undertaken in Community Centre on 28th May with entertainment from David Donnelly Kay and buffet supplied by MacFarlanes. All who attended had a great evening.
Mar 2022 – GALA PRIZE BINGO NIGHT – held in Community Centre on Saturday 12th March, doors open 6 pm , eyes down 6:30 pm. First fundraiser for Gala 2022 please come along and have an enjoyable evening whilst supporting our Gala funds.
Feb 2022 – Gala Committee are pleased to announce Mrs Marion Ewart as this years Crowning Lady, we wish Marion all the best as we look forward to our first Gala day on the Village Green for a few years.
Jan 2022 – GALA COURT PARENTS EVENING – this has been rescheduled due to the unforseen closure of the Community Centre and the new date is now 9th February at 7:30 pm.
Dec – 2021 – GALA COURT ELECTION – The 2022 Gala Court Election took place in Carstairs Primary School on the usual randomly selected day in December 2021, the following children were elected as follows: Queen- Lucy Taylor, 1st Maid – Katy Barker, 2nd Maid – Abbi Aitkenhead, Ladies in Waiting – Hannah Coates, Joni Hamilton, Maja Hansen, Leyla Jarvie, Sophie Kirtchev, Emma MacDonald & Holly White. 1st Champion – Olly Thomson, 2nd Champion – Lewis Tennent, Guards of Honour – Jack Turner, Logan Emery & James Stokes. Crowning Lady still to be confirmed.
GALA AGM – the Annual General Meeting shall be held on Wednesday 17th November 2021 at 7pm in Carstairs Community Centre. New members are welcome to come along and join the committee, we are in much need of help. The committee are looking forward to a good turnout at the meeting since this is the first AGM in 2 years due to last years being COVID cancelled. We are very much looking forward to the Gala returning to its formal glory and to hold the Gala Day on the Village Green in June 2022.