ORGANISERS of the Nungate Gala have vowed that the 25th anniversary of the event will be one to remember after this year’s gala was postponed.

The annual celebration was due to take place on August 8 but the organising committee took the decision on Thursday to cancel the event due to coronavirus concerns.

Speaking the following day, Liz McDougall, chairwoman of Nungate Gala committee, told the Courier: “It has been quite a hard decision for us but it is one that is probably the right decision.

“There is going to be a few kids majorly disappointed but there is not a lot we can do about it.

“To be fair, even if things are not still down, I cannot see us being able to throw a gala together within a couple of months.

“It is just not going to be possible.

“We had a meeting last night when it was all decided.”

The committee had been due to meet last Thursday to decide the Royal Court for the gala, which dates back to 1996.

Lucky youngsters were due to be chosen as Gala Queen and lady in waiting but the event has been shelved.

Planning for the event was already well under way, with the horse and carriage, limousine and hairdressers already booked.

Mrs McDougall stressed it was not a decision that was taken lightly and added: “This is the first time in 24 years that we have actually had to cancel the event.

“Next year is 25 years and the silver anniversary and, you know what, we will make up for it next year.

“We feel we have to do that.”

Next year's event is due to take place on August 14.

The chairwoman said a smaller event could be organised later in the year to mark the occasion, if the global situation improves.

However, as one community event ends, the organisers have turned to another method to spread community spirit.

She said: “What we are doing is Chris McEwan, from Haddington’s community council, is setting up a resilience group.

“So, some of the gala committee are going to be on that and helping out locally and doing what we can.

“I will probably coordinate for the Nungate and we will do what we can and keep smiling.”