TRANENT Gala committee and friends will see all their hard work pay off as the celebrations for its 80th anniversary get under way this weekend.

Kate Straub will be crowned this year’s Tranent Gala Queen at the Loch Centre on Sunday, just before the gala celebrations mark the start of civic week on Ross High Playing Fields, where the community will enjoy free pony rides, stalls, shows, face painting, a tea tent, Billy Easton’s shooting gallery, an animal area, Mr Donut Man and more.

Calum McFarlane will be the queen’s consort this year and will escort the queen as she performs her duties throughout the day, including laying her bouquet at the war memorial.

Meanwhile, children’s entertainer Gladys Chucklebutty will be performing in the marquee, and the Saltire Stage will host the Clark Community Choir, The Fraser Centre Children’s Choir, Alpha Dance and local singer Kelsey Haig.

The gala races kick off from 2pm, with different age group categories available and the Tranent Colts football team acting as the first aiders on the field this year.

During Civic Week, the community can look forward to best decorated house and shop competitions, pairs bowling, football competitions, quizzes, a teddy bears’ picnic, a pet show and more.

Next Saturday (June 8) will mark the end of the week’s festivities with the grand parade.

The lorries, cars and marchers will leave Caponhall Road at 6pm and the committee are encouraging as many people as possible to dress up their car and join in.

Wilna Knox, chairwoman of Tranent Children’s Gala committee, said in the official programme: “This year we celebrate our 80th gala and we have invited a number of former queens.

“We hope that as many as possible will come along to the crowning ceremony and also join us at the grand parade.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the gala preparations in any way and also those who have helped us raise the funds that we need to carry on.”

Any queries about the gala should be sent to tranentgala@aol.com

The full list of events during gala week is as follows:

Saturday, June 1

  • 9am-5pm: Tranent Colts annual football festival at Foresters Park.
  • 10am onwards: Gala pairs bowling at Polson Park.
  • 2pm onwards: Best decorated house, judged by St Martin’s Men’s Group.
  • 2pm onwards: Best decorated shops, judged by Pamela and Craig McKinlay.

Sunday, June 2 (Gala Day)

  • 11.30am: Crowning ceremony of the 80th Gala Queen.
  • Noon-4pm: Gala day celebrations, Ross High Playing Fields.

Monday, June 3

  • 7pm: Tranent Colts U15s Girls Challenge Cup.

Tuesday, June 4

  • 4.30-6pm: Gala games for primary school children.
  • 7pm: Gala quiz at East Lothian Co-operative Bowling Club.
  • 7pm: Tranent Colts U13s Challenge Cup.

Wednesday, June 5

  • 10am: Teddy bears’ picnic, Crookston Care Home garden.
  • 2-4pm: Afternoon tea hosted by Tranent Day Care Centre.
  • 6.30-8pm: Ross High Rugby Club family evening.
  • 7-9pm: Tranent Colts walking football festival.
  • 7.15pm: Centre Stage summer show at the Loch Centre.
  • 8pm: Open pairs dominoes.

Thursday, June 6

  • 7pm: Tranent Colts U13s Challenge Cup.
  • 7.15pm: Centre Stage summer show at the Loch Centre.

Friday, June 7

  • 1.30pm: Gala pet show at the Loch Centre.
  • 6.30-9pm: Tranent Colts parents/coaches tournament.
  • 7.15pm: Centre Stage summer show at the Loch Centre.

Saturday, June 8

  • 5pm: Fancy dress competition, judging at Caponhall Road.
  • 6pm: Grand parade from Caponhall Road.